m FIEST COUNTY PARK SYSTEM 



message to the City Co"uiicil beginning: "At this time, 

 when you have before you for consideration the ordinances 

 in relation to the transfer of Park and Central avenues to 

 the Essex County Park Commission, I would respectfully 

 call your attention to the following : 



"Now that the courts have decided legal the proposed 

 issue of park bonds by the Park Commission, and the same 

 are about to be sold, and the work suspended by the com- 

 mission on account of the lack of funds will no doubt be 

 pushed, it would seem to be an opportune time to direct the 

 attention of the Park Commission to the desirability of the 

 establishment of a park, centrally located, within the limits 

 of the city of Orange. There are at the present time several 

 desirable sites which could be purchased at moderate cost, 

 upon which there are few, if any, buildings.'' 



The appointment of a committee is then recommended 

 "to confer with the Park Commission with this end in 

 view," and the message closes with a commendation of the 

 Street Committee "for the good work the street department 

 is doing on the streets." 



EFFECT OF THE MAYOR's MESSAGE. 



Excepting the opening paragraph quoted, not a word was 

 mentioned regarding the real question then before the coun- 

 cil — the disposition of the avenues transfer ordinance, 

 which was then "put over." The Orange park was at that 

 time well under improvement, and the Mayor knew, when he 

 wrote that message, the difficulty and objection in the com- 

 mission to locating even that favorable site for an Orange 

 park. The practical effect of the message was to show the 

 intention of the opposition to still further create discussion 

 and issue over the main question. It had this effect on some 

 of the members of the City Council. The document had, 

 however, 'with the other influences referred to, the effect on 

 the Park Commission of inducing that board to give out an- 

 other statement. This was presented by Commissioner 

 Bramhall at the meeting of the Orange Common Council 

 July 8, 1898. There were also present Commissioners Shep- 



