166 FIKST COUNTY PAEK SYSTEM 



tions than had I. The situation as to the efforts made with 

 the court to make a change in the appointment of commis- 

 sioners in 1895, had been fully reported to me by my 

 friends, some of whom were then consulted by Judge Depue 

 before he made that change. 



The final decision then made in my favor was the result 

 of the action taken by my friends, unknown to me until 

 after the commission was appointed. 



My experience during the two years in the second com- 

 mission had made the situation, as it existed at tliis time, 

 as clear as the noonday sun. It was perfectly evident from 

 Mr. Murphy^s bearing and conversation with me that he 

 would do what he could to prevent my reappointment. Al- 

 though our personal relations had remained courteous, and, 

 in a measure, to all appearances, friendly, our views as to 

 policy and method in the management of the park depart- 

 ment were, from the outset, radically at variance. We dif- 

 fered on almost every vital principle, from the plan of pro- 

 cedure in laying out the parks and the impending contest 

 with the trolley companies over the parkways, to the reten- 

 tion of Counsel Munn. The official records and correspon- 

 dence make this situation for that two years, from first to 

 last, perfectly clear. Every one knew, who knew anything of 

 the conditions as they existed in April, 1897, that both 

 Commissioner Murphy and Counsel Munn were in close 

 touch, directly or indirecth', with Judge Depue. 



Weeks before the expiration of my term as commissioner, 

 my friends expressed to me their fears that the influences 

 so inimical to my reappointment might prevail. My an- 

 swer was : That while I fully appreciated the circumstances, 

 I would not seek the appointment. The original suggestion 

 that the appointing power be placed with the court had been 

 made by me, and the full responsibility had, in accordance 

 with that suggestion, been by law conferred upon the judge; 

 that if appointed I would, at least for the present, accept 

 the office, but would not vary from the conviction and prin- 

 ciple I had always believed in and adhered to — that the 

 office should seek the man, not the man the office. 



