The Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn, New York • Page 2

cltv of Brooklyn. Is thero anythlne novel In this PUBLIC PARKS AND PROMENADES. Sale ot the Brooklyn Ferry Leases, SPIRITED BIDDING BETWEEN CYBUS P. SMITH AND BEN J. WOOD CO.

The Ferries knocked dowa to the Union Ferry Co. for 9103,000. Thi Paoer has the largest circulation of any Evening Paper published in the United States. Its value as an advertising medium ti therefore apparent. and hia Interests wore connected mtk tho city of Brooklyn, and he would never do anything that would retard MS progress or weaken its resources in any way.

He would consult with and hear these capitalists, but he would have his own opinion, if he believed a measure to be for the interest of the people of Brooklyn, he would suoport and sustain it. Ho believed this Park bill was for the interest of Brooklyn, and he supported it, and ho would do the same thing to morrow. He could promise these gentlemen one thing, and that is, that thoy will not get this park bill repealed at the next session of the Legislature, at least; nor will this Fourth avenue improvement be frustrated an improvement that when carried out, will give us one of the fineBt avenues in this country. If ho understood the matter, we can purchase the land to be included in Prospect Park, for nil, where tho natural beauties or the views and of tho location will bo enhanced by the cultivation and Improvements of art tho cost will be assessed upon a constantly and rapidly enlarging basis of taxable value, and of population, until In its practical operation it will scarcely bo felt. I.YCItXASB OP TAXABLE VALUH TO BB EXPECTED.

It is a well established fact that Parks and other similar judicious improvements do within a rcasonablo time so increase tho taxable value of the surrounding property that they prevent the cost of the improvements from being a burden upon the treasury. For example, if lots worth $100 each arc, in consequence of the establishment of a Park, made to ho worth $200 each, the assessors double the valuation of the property for all purposes of taxation and the owner pays twice as much in taxes Into tho treasury as ho would have done if tho Park were not established, In this manner any great puhlio improvement by largely Increasing the amount of taxablo property really pays for itsolf, and preventsits cost from being a burden upon the city. This principle was welt understood by the Park Commissioners, who in their report expressed their opinion that "the increased taxable value of the real estate lying in the vicinity of these Parks, the addition of a very largo amount of taxable property which may be expected as incidental to the increase of population, and to the general rise in the value of the real estate of the city produced by these and the other great improvements now in progress, will prevent the payment of the interest upon the debt created, and tho gradual extinguishment of the debt itself from becoming burdensome." This result has been seen in New York, whero the very large expenditure upon the Central Park has been much more than compensated by the enormous increase in the taxable value of the real estate in that part of the city, and it has also been shown in our city, in tho case of tho Washington Park. That park was established in 1SUS, near tho centre of what was then the Tth ward, and in immediate proximity to portions of the 6th and llih wards. The taxablo valuation of the property embraced in those three wards in was $12,425,908, and in 1S52, being four years after the establishment of the Washington nark, the taxablo properly of the same territory (being then comprised in the Oil), TUi, Sth, 9th, 10th and I Ith wards,) amounted to $30,525,080.

This shows an increase of taxable value, of over 150 per cent in 4 years or nearly 40 per cent per Are not the remote parte of oar city on the same principle taxed for Washington rarit it is saia that the law ia at least ambiguous. It did not be como him to stand here ana deliver a legal opinion upon that point. There ia unfortunately no district denominated the "Western Fire District" in the sense used in the bill. But this he held would cause no difficulty whatever. There is a district which answers the description of what is called in the bill the Western Pire Dlst't, and there is no doubt with regard to the construction which the Courts will put on this they will construe it as is done in all such cases, according to its spirit and the intention of the Legislature.

Bat to remove all doubt on this point, those In favor of immediately carrying out the improvement pledge themselves to apply to the next Legist 1 ture to get the bills altered in respect to the clause compiainea 01. ine spcaner went on to show that the compact part of the city would be benefitted by the improvements contemplated, in the increase of population and business of every kind consequent thereon, and should for these reasons cheerfully bear its pajt of the taxation. We can't stop here, but must go on as we have in the past until our city is made what it is destined to be, one of the most beautiful in tho world. The plan they had adopted in paying for these improvements is that carried out in every pub lie woik, State or Municipal that is to distribute tiieir cost over one or more generations so tbt its weight would be scarcely telt. In conclusion he said he saw no valid reason in the objections urged by the gentlemen who met on Monday evening last to retard the commencement of these improvements one moment, and he was therefore heartily in favor of their immediate execution.

The resolutions were then put ani adopted without dissent. After which loud calls were made for "Spinola," but that gentleman did not make his appearance ou tho platform, and Mr. Libby, President of the Citizens' Gas was cilled on. Mr. Libby said that after the very able report wbich had been read, it seemed to him that nothing could be said to more fully impress on the minds of those presenttho importance of thefacts there considered.

The opposition to these improvements proceeds from a very small portion of the city, but yet from a very important one. Those gentlemen labored under a mistake with regard to the object of these improvements. There was no intention to rob them of their ten per cent investment, aB they seemed to think. They might read in the history of the last twenty years what their present homes would become in twenty years from now. The speaker traced the progress ol population in New York, and showed that trade and commerce had taken possession of the once exclusively fashionable parts of the city which formerly centred near the Battery, and that within a few weeks the last remaining of the3e residents was buried from there.

In like manner would the now exclusive parts of Brooklyn be surrounded by trade and traffic, and be swept away by that resistless progress which could not be stayed or resisted. Then these gentlemen will thank us, who have a little more of the spirit of the age, in providing for tbem better homes and convenient drives in their old age. It is well in this country to have a drag on the wheel of progress lest we should go too fast and those conservative gentlemen act as such It is well to have breaks on our railroad cars, but for all that it is also necessary to exchange the slow old stage coach for the steam engine. He held that the Western slope of the city necessarily would soon be lillea up, ana the tide of population would roll Eastward. In Brooklyn, the words of Berkely reyend were true.

"Westward the star of Empire takes its wav." Mr. Libby held from the example of New York, that the expense of the pirk would not be felt, and that like New York, the taxable property would be increased in a ratio more than sufficient to meet the increased expense. If the taxable property of Brooklyn increas ed but $2,000,000, it would cover the entire cost 01 this park, nehcitt we neeaea such improvements to attract to our city the merchant princes of New York. Such residents as erect not only a homestead, but would bring with them large amounts of personal property, and would add to the taxable wealth of our city. The gentleman who met here last Monday, were among our most conservative and law abiding citizens, and tbeir object here was, if he understood it rightly, tp petition the Common Council to resist a sovereign law of the State.

They were here to assure the Common Council that such resistance was not asked for by the great mass of our citizens, and he did not think it would be well for the members of the Common Council to go back to their constituents without carrying ont the laws, so far as they can. He thought that the Mayor of tbe city a man who came from the people an honest and fortunate public man in obtaining his co operation it seemed to him those gentlemen would be entirely mistaken. He trusted that the matter should not bo lot rest, but that the Common Council would be urged to carry out these improvements which would make Brooklyn what she ought to be tho fairest and most btautiful city on this continent. Messrs. Stranahan, Roberts and Taylor were called on for a speech but none of these gentlemen came forward.

The chairman said Gentlemen, this is a popular question, none of you need be afraid to speak on it. A gentleman in the room desired to know if it would be allowable for one to give expression to his views who believed the laws in question to be unjust, and who held sentiments in opposition ho supposed, to those who called this meeting. He did not desire to offer his remarks if their delivery would be deemed unacceptable. The President returned no answer to this question and loud calls being made for Spinola that gentleman came forward. Sir.

Spinola said he was glad to have an opportunity ot rendering an account of his stewardship to the people of Brooklyn, He did not feel very much alarmed that Brooklyn would suffer in the least from any of the acts passed by the last Le gialature. De did not feel very much alarmed that cither the growth or character or wealth of Brooklyn would be injured by them. He was much surprised when he accidentally dropped in at the meeting at that place the other evening, to find in its chairman one of those who was prominent in urging forward at least one of the acts now complained of. If he made a mistake in his character as represent acting under tho advice of such men as Mr. A.

A. Lowe, and after being led into error by them if there was any error in the matter he would not Buffer them to upbraid him for it. The Fourth Avenue improvement is one that will reflect credit on oureitv. and will be, when completed, one of the finest promenades in this country Tho gentlemen who met in this place last week can ride upon in their carriages miny of those present as well as himself can ride only on the city railroad cars; be was a five cent customer himself, like many of those who heard him. But when we shall have our public park on Prospect Hill we shall have a place where wo can all go.

He intended to go there himself he intended to bring his family; with him to enjoy its beauties, itud especially if he met a strauger in our city he would bring hint there and show him a panoramic view that could not be surpassed on the face of the earth. The expeuse will he a mere bagatelle compared with the benefits derived. Tbe people want this park; they want 'he walks the tkating ponds and rural drives. He had the honor of being in the Common Council when the subject of Washington Park was acted on, and some of those gentlemen who were here the other night, including Mr. Studwell, were warmly in favor of it.

Mr. Mayor Brush wanted Washington Park, and I was with him then and I wish he was with me in this thing. This park was a measure not of the capitalists but of the people. It is the people and not the capitalists that will bear the expense, The capitalists may build the houses but it is the people who occupy them that pay the taxes. When the bill for the location of this park came before the last Legislature he understood the peopleasked for it.

One of the snobs that was here the other night said the measure was a pet of mine he understood it was a people's measure and not the measure of any man. WheD be came hack from Albany he saw a communication over the siguature of Mr. Rodman and any one who read thai communication must conclude that he (Mr. was a much injured man. Mr.

Rodman arrived in Albany on Saturday morning to see after this park bill The bill was ready for its passage in the Senate, but it was recommitted to give Mr. Rodman and Mr. Crowell who came with iiim an opportunity of being heard before the committee cotiBisling of Senator Gardiner and myself. We met at three o'clock that afternoon, and yet Mr. Rodman iu his communication asserts that lie had not an opportunity of bel ng heard and stating bis objections.

When Mr. Rodman wrote that, he wrote what is false, and Mr. Rodmun knows it as well as any man on the face of the earth. When he appeared before that Committee I was particular In taking down all ho said and requested him to talk slowly th it I might do so. His objections were for tbe most part such as an unmitigated snob would urge; almost hiB only objection was that the Commission was made up of men of such character that ha could not associate with them.

This was a kind of snobbery that he did not want to have anything to do with it. The men on that Commission were every way tbe peer of Mr. Rodman, and many of them were In thousands of respects superior. Ho wanted Mr. Rodman, when he wrote again to give us facts, and not fiction.

The speaker said if the city was in any way injured by any act of his, he was sorry for It; 14s fortunes A Meeting of those in Favor of the Im. mediate Carrying Out of the Acts oi the last legislature in Relation to Public Impiovements in A number of the citizens and tax payers of this city met in the Governor's Boom, City Hall, last evening to vindicate the acts of the last Legislature in relation to public improvements in Brooklyn and to urge their speedy commencement and completion. Compared with the meeting of taxpayers held in the same place for aa opposite object on the previous Monday, the attendance last night was but small, probably not hall as many being in attendance. There were, however, several large property owners present. That all our readers may know the avowed object of the meeting and the names of the gentleman identified in getting it together, we republish the call which has appeared for somo days in our advertising columns The citizens of Brooklyn and owners of property, who approve of the Prospect Park BUI ami other improvements authorised, are requested to meet at the City Hall, on MUX HAY EVENING NEXT, at 7X o'clock, to take measures for the vindication of those acts, and for the speedy execution tli ereof uted Mar 22.

W0. E. I. Plimpton. Benjamin Loder, Calvin Adams, John D.

Cocks. Jacob B. Murray, E. J. Lowber.

L. S. Burnham, Robert H. Burden. Charles Kelsey.

Lewis Roberts, Nicholas Shurs, lra smith, J. w. Hubert, ueorpe unities, w. u. Hunter, John N.

Taylor, W. P. Libby. Charles Stunton, James E. Fcutfiworth, Czar Dunning John Kellum.

E. K. Scranton, Chas. A. Meigs, C.

Powers, Henry Stone, D. T. Luumau. The meeting was called to order by E. J.

Lowber, who nominated Mr. John D. Cocks as President. The following gentlemen were nominated as Vice Presidents, and were accepted by the meeting. N.

B. Morse, Moses F. Odell, II. U. Durvca, L.

8. Burnham, John Rankin, Adrian Van Brunt, E. A. Lambert, C. W.

L. T. Morrow, J. Lowber, Wm. E.

Morris, George Curtis, Chas. A. Meigs, Kobt. H. Burdell, A.

8. Baincs, John Kellum, W. P. Libby. The following gentlemen were appointed Secrc.

taries: Chas. J. Sheppard, Then. Polhemns, Jr. E.

B.Spooner, Jr. Gilbert L. Haight. Mr. Cocks invited the Vice Presidents to take a seat on the platform and the Secretaries to occupy the chairs usually used by the gentlemen of the bar.

The call of the meeting published above was then read, after which Mr. Jasper W. Gilbert said the object of this meeting as is seen by the call, more plainly stated is to take such measures and to make such statements as shall serve to convince a portion of our fellow citizens, who differ Irom us, that certain laws passed by the last Legislature are meritorious in themselves and that it is for the public good that they should bo carried into immediate execution, and that it is the duty of eTery good citizen in this case, as in every other, to obey and carry out the laws. A committee of gentlemen in favor of these laws met together and appointed a 6Ub committee to prepare a counter statement to that presented at a previous meeting of gentlemen opposed to these laws. Such statement has been prepared and with the leave of the meeting I will now read it.

Mr. Gilbert then read the following STATEMENT The residents and tax payers of the city of Brooklyn, have iifwmhlH pursuant to nnhlin enll, to pTnrtL4 thi.ir approval of the acts of the last Legislature, establishing a Park upon Prospect Hill, and providing for other improvements. In doing so, they will refer briefly to the origin of some of these measures, and to the provisions of the laws in question. First in importance among these improvements is TUB PROSPECT PARK. For years the propriety of establishing one or more large public parks has been considered and discussed by the people of Brooklyn.

ith view to enter deliberately and advisedly upon this undertaking, the Legislature in ibotf passeu "An act to autnori.e me selection ana location of certain grounds for public parks and also for a parade ground for the city of and by tho same Act appointed John Greenwood, J. Carson Brevoort, William Wall, James Humphrey, John A. Cross, Nathaniel Brlggs, Abraham G. Berry, Samuel S. Powell, Thomas JI.

Rodman, Nathan B. Morse, Thomas G. Talmagc, Jesse C. Sniiib, I)aniel Maujer, William II. Peck, and Luther B.

Wyman, Commissioners "to select and locate such grounds in tbe city of Brooklyn and adjacent thereto as might in their opinion he proper and desirable to be secured and set apart for a'public park, and.for a parado gioun.i un mm ami tiicji were required by the law 10 "make such selection and location in view of the present condition, and future growth and wants of said city," and to report their action to tho Legislature and to tho Common Council. The commissioners thus selected possessed wealth, intelligence, official jwsition ed all sections of the city, and were believed to constitute a sound, judicious, and conservative Board, who could safely he entrusted with the execution of the law. They entered upon the discharge of their duties with zeal, and in a manner to prove that they aimed to perform their trust with entire fidelity, and with exclusive reference to the welfare of the city. They held frequent public meetings, at which all citizens who desired to maku suggestions, were invited to be present. After several months they completed their work, and in a report signed by twelve of their number, being all who were in the city at the time, they communicated the result to tho Legislature and to the Common Council.

by this report tho commissioners recommended three large Parks, llireo smaller or local parks, and the parade ground. A hill for tho establishment of the six parks thus recommended was introduced into the Legislature, and was referred to the delegation from the County of Kings, with power to report the same complete provided they should be unanimous in its favor. The delegation caused the hill as introduced to be published in the Brooklyn papers, and gave notice therein that on a day specified by them tbey would hear all parties who desired to appear before them relation to this subject. Many citizens appeared and expressed their views. There were differences of opinion as to the number of Parks to be established, their boundaries, and mode of payment.

After full deliberation tho delegation decided to report a bill providing for two of the six Parks reoom ded by the Commissioners one upon Prospect Hill, to be a charge upon tho Western District, or first twelve Wards; and the other upon iiidgewood Heights, to be paid for by tbe Eastern District of tho city. Finally the members of Assembly from the Eastern District concluded to postpone nwil a future period theestablishment of the Iiidgewood Park, and all united In renorting tho bill which has become a law, and which provides for the Prospect Park; and with the expectation that Iiidgewood Park, should it be hereafter established, will ho paid for by the Eastern District, the fulfilment of which obligation in irtnn lv nr ti. i.v District we are not nermitted to rimiht 1'UOVlSIONS OV Tlia BILL. Py this law about 275 to 300 acres of land on Prospect Hill and vicinity are taken and established as a Park, under charge of a Board of Park Commissioners, who are authorised to lay ii out and improve it according to such plan as they may adopt at a cost not exceeding tho limit nurued in tbe bill. The cost of the Park and of its improvement is to bo paid for by an issue of city bonds to mature in not less than 45 years, nor more than 00 years from date, and a moderate Sinking Fund is established which will extinguish the debt oh or before maturity.

Such part of the total cost of the land as may bo equitable, not exceeding twenty per cent, thereof is to be assessed upon properly outside of tk Park, in proportion to Ihe benefits received. This apportionment, and also the appraisal of the value of the lands taken for the Park arc to be made by sworn Commisioners, to bo appointed by the Supreme Court whose acts must he confirmed br the Court before they are valid. The cost of the Park and its improvement, except the twenty percent provided by such local assessment is to be paid by tax to be levied upon tho taxable property "within the first twelve wards of the city." It has been, erroneously supposed and stated, by some persons, that a. portion of the nth and 9th wards would escape the taxation provided by the Park act. This isan cntiro mistake; the tuxation.isto be general, upon all the taxablo property "within the first twelve wards." This is in analogy with the provisions of the original act establishing Washinctox Park, passed in 1847, which provided that the cost should bo paid by tax upon (As flvi term warrls of the city.

By an amendatory act hassed in such cost was directed to among all the wards which then constituted the city of Brooklyn; and taxes arc now annually collected in the remotest portions of thedistrict ihen designated forth purpose of paying Tor the cost of Wasui.ioton Pakk. BXTBST OF TAXATION TBOVIDlID BT THH LAW. The cost of the lands taken for the Park is estimated at about 1 ,000,000. Should the Park, with ita improvements, cost $1,000,000, il would he about 2 per cent of the present taxable valuation of tho first twelve wards which now exceeds $80,000,000. Should Btich cost reach $2 000 000 it would enual two and one half per cent upon' this valuation.

Were this percentage to bo collected at once, it would bur, pay for, and Improve the without any debt whatever, and, were it necessary, the citizens could well afford to tax themselves to this extent for this great puh But, by the law, this slight tax iB distributed through a period of fifty years, and it is to be paid by snra oedW generations, who are to hare tho use and enjoyment of this improvement. It will bo thus seen that the addition to tho rate of annual taxation caused by this improvement, will ho leu than the twentieth pari of one per even if tho amoutil of properly subject to taxation, should norer exceed tho $60,000,000 now Included in tho first twelvo wards. But, dnrlng tho lost forty years, the population of tho city has doubled, and lie taxablo property has more than doubled during every period or eight years. Should this Increase continue In anything like tho samo ratio, the aggregate valuation of the first twelvo wards will hare sv elled from $80,000,000 to several times that amount, long before the cost of this Park will have been collected from the tax payers, and tho slight addition to the rate of taxation imposed by this bill will have diminished in the Fame proportion. In short, while, year after year, tho beneflta of this improvement will be fait.

In adding to the taxable value of property In rendering our city more attractive, and thus inviting population and capital from abroad In affording a spot easy of access, and free to I I To GowuwroBDaMTB. So notice can Be taken of anonymon Oomnunicatlou. Whatever ia intennea for insertion: most be authenticated by the name and ddress of the wn tor not necessarily for publication, but aa a guarantee his rood faith. We cannot undertake to return rejected communications. TUESDAY EVENING MAY 29.

The Public Improvement Bills. It would be tetter did the advocates and opponents of these acts limit their arguments to the intrinsic merits of the measures. It will hardly strengthen tie former with the public to say that our ex Mayors and men whose characters arc a part of the honorable reputation of Brooklyn, who have taxed themselves voluntarily in their own private purses to erect an Academy of Music, and are ever ready to sustain at their own expense all local meritorious enterprises, are "old fogies" and mere obstructives in the path ol public progress Nor should the opponents of the bills weaken their case by maintaining that those who advo. cate them are real estate speculators and their agents engaged in foisting upon the city unsaleable vacant lots, redolent of fever and ague, as has already been asserted. If the proceedings of the meeting of last even, ing had been transacted and adopted by the meetiDg held to oppose the bills, they would have been infinitely more effective that what really transpired on that occasion.

Anything in the shape of an argument so utterly flimsy and full of glaring self contradiction it has never been our fortune to encounter as the address adopted by the meetiDg as a vindication of the acts which are now the subject of public discussion. The Park Commissioners, their names and actions, are introduced to strengthen the position of the friends of the measures. If it can be shown that the Park Commissioners recommended the creation of a Park on Prospect Hill, to be paid for by the first twelve wards, while the property in the immediate vicinity, which we shall show by the arguments used last evening ought to bear the bulk of the burden of expense, is all but exempt, then that fact will show that the fifteen gentlemen constituting the Park Commissioners can be quoted in favor of the act. But because a Park or Parks were recommended by no means estops those who favored such improvement from, opposing any obnoxious features that might be attached to it in passing the Legislature. It iB therefore useless to refer to the recommendations of the Park Commissioners unless, as we say, it can be shown that they recommended such features as are the subject of attack in the bill that actually became a law.

The memorial adopted last evening is very enthusiastic on the increase ia the value of property caused by the creation of parks. Thus it is shown that when Washington Park was laid out the value of the property surrounding it, which now comprises the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th wards only amounted to some twelve millions of dollars whereas in four years afterwards it amounted to over thirty millions, an increase of 150 per cent, in four yean aDd all on account of Washington Park! Bat the force of the argument is still further strengthened by a comparison between these wards and the first three wards which were placed at a greater distance from the and enriching influence of the magic source of wealth. In these wards the increase was only fifty per cent, against a hundred and fifty in the others. Whatever else the memorialists have failed to accomplish they have at least thrown new light on the causes which regulate the growth of our city and lead to the increase of real estate valuation. While we, in our ignorance, were wont to imagine that the value of property in the outer wards incre tsed be.

cause these wards consisted for the most part of vacant lots and it was only by building upon and thus quadrupling the real estate valuation they contained that the city could ever increase in dimensions uo.uo.it population, yet the fact was that Washington Park was the real philosopher's stone that turned everything within the reach of its talismanic touch into gold. And while we rested in the stupid be. lief that the reason why the three first wards did not increase as rapidly in real estate valuation as the outer wards, was that these wards had been already improved, that almost every lot had been built on for a generation, and when the vicinity of Fort Greene was a wilderness, the disparity was all owing to the dislauce of the source of all wealth the Washington Purk. This extraordinary patk possesses a power of disseminating enriching influences around it like the power of attraction possessed by the heavenly bodies the power is measured directly by the quantity of space contained in the park and iuverselyas the square of the distance of the body acted upon. For the future the value of tbe property in the city will be measured by its distance from Fort Greene.

The Ninth ward cow stables will soon begin to look up. Henceforward we shall look with feeling of respect and veneration on thatJfounUin. in the City Hall Park, for we see no hope for the unfortunate first three wards unless that park and its ornamentation should reflect it upon them. But if this argument is absurd to childishness in the connection in which it is advanced, its authors must see that if it possessed any force what ever it would only prove that this Pirk bill is an injustice. If a park enriches the property in Its immediate vicinity, as they say the Central Park of New York has done, though even in the case of that Park they exaggerate Its beneficial results, and if Washington Park has been the solo cause of the property around it nearly trebling in value in the short space of four years will not the property surrounding the new Prospect Park become as valuable as a California placer or one of the mines of Peru And if the first three wards derived little or no advantage from Washington Park ill they fare better in the case of a park situated at a still greater distance Thcso questions tbe memorialists must acknowledge can only admit of one answer.

Then why is it that the expense of this improvement is to be equally borne by these already stagnating wards as by the property that i.s to be increased in value by the I 'ark rapidly as if it was discovered to have a gold mine embedded in the soil Twenty per cent, and not more but as much less as the commissioners may choose uf the value of the land taken for the jark is to be assessecljijn the property "outside of the Park," and even this petty item may be spread over the whole "Western Fire District" which the authors of the acts say meaus the entire first twelve wards In other words this twenty per cent of the value of the land to be taken for a Park, may be assessed precisely over the same territory as tbe other eighty per cent if the Commissioners choose to do so while the ornamentation, is also to be paid for by the Western District at large. Eithertheargument infavor of the local value of Parks is wofully defective, or it proves that to asseBS the expense of this new Park in the manner proposed is an outrage ou every taxpayer in the city. We defy the most supple advocate of the measure to get out of this dilemma. The opponents of the new improvement acts require to invent no arguments against them when the find such powerful ones supplied to their hands. As to whether the term "Western Fire District'' means the first twelve wards or not it is unnecessary to review ihe arguments pro and con.

This park and the widened avenues are public city improvements and ought to be paid for by the whole city. If a park is wanted in the Eastern District it, too, ought to be a city charge. The petty politicians who sunk Williamsburg in a sea of bankruptcy from which she was towed by Brooklyn Still try to prcfervc a factitious importance bv ket plDg up a spirit of local jealousy and war(li Ofl'taxation from the district, when the fact is that the Eastern District's share of taxation for pub lie Improvements would be lighter if it bore it in common with the city at large than to carry the entire weight of every improvement effected in its own vicinity. The lease of the Fulton, South, Hamilton avenue, Wall street and Catharine Ferries was sold at the New York City Hall at one o'clock to day, to C. P.

Smith the present lessees, for the sum of one hundred and three thousand dollars per year. The sum heretofore paid was $50,000 per year. The sale took place in the room of the Court of Common Pleas, No. 20. At one o'clock precisely the Comptroller opened the door and about fifty gentlemen who had gathered outside, entered.

Amongst them we noticed C. P. Smith, President of the Union Ferry J. S. T.

Strauahan, C. K. Garrison, ex Mayor of San Francisco, but now a resident of New York, Aid. Cashaw, Ben. Wood, George Law, ex Mayor Berry, Anson Blake, H.

E. Pierrepont, John Blunt, Jacob Slurp and others. The Comptroller took his position ou the Judge's bench, and the Auctioneer, Mr. James S. Duke stood beside him and read the conditions of sale which were that all the ferries were to be leased to one party (that there should bo no division), that no bids were to be received for less thon $56,000, and that 10 per cent, must be paid down, Mr.

Anson Blake rose and stated that he was the owner of certain lands at Hamilton ferry on the Brooklyn side, and gave notice that he should claim his rights. TheAuctionecr then solicited the bids. C. P. Smith bid $56,000.

W. H. Hays bid aud the bidding was run up to Ben. Wood, or some one for him, bid SSti.OOO. Mr.

Smith determinedly bid 888,000, and so the bids were run up until Mr. Smith bid 8103,000. This was a clincher. The auctioner cried "Who bids $104,000," and waiting for a few seconds and receiving no response struck it down to Mr Smith. Auctioneer Who is the lessee.

Mr. Smith The Union Ferry Company. Mr. Smith thereupon wrote a check for the ten percent, and handed it to the Comptroller. Tbe party interested with Ben.

Wood, was Jas B. Taylor and S. K. Garrison. Mr.

Law, who was present did not bid. He wanted nothing to do with it, having enough irons in the fire at present. The lease is for tenrears. Besides the enormous sum of $103,000, this ferry Company pay yearly iu addition $37,000 for ground rent on the Brooklyn side of the river. Notwithstanding themannerin which the Union company has acted it is a fortunate circumstance that they have retained possession of the ferries against the speculators who competed at the sale The Union Company consists ot Brooklyn citizens amenable to somo extent at least to local public opinion and they have recently exhibited an apparent desire to lower the fare, if not to a point that meets tbe extent of thopublic demands yet as an earnest of a new and more liberal spirit was quite encouraging.

The New York gentry who are up to their ears in Washington Market and other similar operations would be more likely to disregard public remonstrance than the present managers. It would be a step from the frying pan into the fire to have fallen into their clutches. The Corporation Shop. A debate on the supplies for the corporation shop in the Common Council last evening let a good deal of light upon that institution, which it seems is a sort of nursery for voters iu the Fire Department, for the benefit of certain public officers, and the way the sar's appropriations were spent in four months by the late Commissioner of Repairs and Supplies is now very clear. Tne corporation workshop was opened for the purpose of doing casual re pairs to fire apparatus, to save tbe trouble and expense of carting them to New York.

But But the plan has been wonderfully improved up on, and from mending a tongue or supplying a bolt, the establishment has progressed to a capacity for building engines out and out, with silver mountings, and mahogany boxes inlaid with mo. ther of pearl. With an almost absolute control of this establishment, it is easy to see how a Commissioner of Repairs and Supplies could ingratiate himself with the members of the Fire Department, who, potent in politics, might secure his election. This corporation shop has been, and of course will be, as long as it exists, a source of political capital, a sort of nursery of votes, like the Navy Yard and Custom House to the Federal Government. It is an ingenious way of miking the public pay the electioneering expenses of ambitious public officers.

The Commissioner of Repairs and Supplies did not enjoy a monopoly of the advantages of this shop, the Common Council being in the habit of ordering supplies for fire companies under tho direction of tho Fire Department Committee, which Committee having axes of its own to grind, very likely helped the Commissioner to extend the utility of this precious shop. This latter evil, however, the Board has put an end to, the directing power being left where it properly belongs, with the Commissioner of Repairs and Supplies, who iving undivided authority, can be held to a more strict responsibility than his predecessor was. This corporation shop should be abolished, and we are glad to see that some of the Aldermen are In favor of tbe proposition of allowing each engine company so much a year in lieu of repairs. Common Council. The proceedings of tho Board last evening were of more than usual interest the subject of the Park and street widening improvements came up for discussion, on a resolution to refer these acts to a special committee for consideration.

There was no opinion expressed for or against the acts, except that Aid Strong thought the next Legislature would amend them so as to make the expenses a general charge upon the whole city. The manner in wbich tbe corporation workshop was conducted under the late Commissioner of Repairs and Supplies was shown up; and the Boa'd took a wise step in relieving the Fire Committee of the power to direct the purcha3e of lire apparatus. The Health Committee reported against complying with the application of the Quarantine Commis. sioner, to raise funds in conjunction wMi New York to support the floating Hospital, having no means at their disposal for such a purpose, unless an epidemic should occur. Mexico.

The recent advices from Mexico are of a more favorable character than any received hitherto, and seem to afford strong hopes of the uccess of the Liberal party in the permanent occupation of the whole country. If the Juarez party succeed in gaining possession of the capital, as well as the seaboard, there would seem to be no good reason why any foreign country shall longer refuse to recognize that as the rightful government of the country. Such are their present prospects. The full power said to be conferred upon Senor Mata, the. Mexican minister, at Washington, may the ratification of the treaty, with such modifications aB our government desires.

This, toguher with tbe improved prospects of the Liberals, will have the effect to strengthen the chances for a ratification of the treaty. The steamer Palestine brings intelligence of the death of the Rev. Theodore Parker, which took place at Florence on the 10th ifit. Mr. Parker was a native of Massachusetts, where be was born in the year 1810.

He came of an old Puritan family, of whose deeds of daring at the time of the revolution, the deceased was fond.to speak. Mr. Parker was noted for extreme views on all the questions that agitated the public mind. He was man of very extensive acquirements, and had great natural powers of mind. His intellectual strength, however, was for tho most part dissipated in occasional efforts, and he leaves no work behind him on which any but his immediate par lizans set any value.

there will never be such an opportunity to purchase this land as now; four or five years hence it cannot be bought lor four millions of dollars. The gentlemen who oppose this Improvement now, have opposed every improvement undertaken by Brooklyn, except to locate the present city buildings in Mr, Joralemon's corn fields. It was so with the water question. Meetings were held by them night in and night out on the steps of the City Hall, and they tried to show that a green scum was on tho water, that it could not be used, that if it was introduced the expense would ruin the city. They are very respectable gentlemen, but they belong to the last generation.

That is the trouble with them. I hope they will live to see these improvements completed, and to see Brooklyn what she is destined to be the first city on the American continent. (Applause.) Sup. Coit made a short speech in support of the object of the meeting, and at the close of his remaiks it was moved that the meeting adjourm Ex Aid. Doualass hoped they would not adjourn until they" provide for another meeting, and he moved that the meeting adjourn to be again brought together at the call of the chair.

AlllB UlUliuu igiaucM a journed. NEW YORK CITY NEWS. The One Cent Fekbt. The Comptroller sub. mittcd a report to the New York Board of Coun cilmcn last evening, in answer to an inquiry in refusion to the authority of Mr.

John Linskey in running a ferry from the foot of Catharine street to Williamsburgh. It set forth that there was no authority whatever granted for the same, and that the ferry was an infringement on the franchises of the city and contrary to law. As it took the Comptroller so long a time to discover that New York had granted no authority to Linskey, ho may, after a few more weeks' deliberation, ascertain that the lerry is run by virtue of a United States coasting license, with which the Board of Aldermen have nothing to do. A New Ferrt to Fulton Stbbet. George Law's project to run a ferry from New York to Fulton st.

is likely to be consummated. The common council last evening adopted a resolution authorising the Brooklyn Ferry Company to purchase the lease of Peck Slip ferry and run the said ferry to and from Fulton Street. The next question is where can a slip be procured near the foot of Fulton street. The Pbizb Fight that was Intekrotted. We yesterday gave the particulars of tho arrest of George King, one of the pugilists engaged to fight John Wood of Boston, for $200 a side.

Tho Wood party arrived at the ground selected above Hoboken, having started from Jersey City. The time agreed upon for the encounter was between 6 and 8 o'clock, and King not appearing, Wood claimed the stakes, but it is not probable that under tbey will be given up to him. A large crowa uaving assemoieaj a match was made to fight two boys, about 17 years of age, named Jimmy Elliott and Jimmy Clarke for $52, which amount was raised by subscription ou the spot. They fought thirty rounds lime one hour and four minntes, resulting in the victory for Clarke. Elliott was severely bruised, while Clarke sustained but trifling injuries.

The fight is said to have been well contested. The resignation of Sergeant George Cass of the First Police Precinct, Brooklyn, was sent to the Commissioners yesterday and accepted. Mr. Cass, we understand, retires to a farm in New Jersey. 9 9 BOWERY.

GRAND OPENING SPRING CARPETING! GREATEST BARGAINS EVER OFFBRED IN THIS enru TEN SPACIOUS SALESROOMS! 300, 00 WORTH OF CARPETS AT LOW PRICKS. MARK TUB PRIOBB Beit English Medallon Carpets. English Velvet Carpets. 1 13, 25, 1 M. Tapestry, 80c.

1. Brussels and Velvet Stair. Three Plj Carpeta. Ingrain Carpetinir, American Ing. Carpeta.

30c, 60c. Oil Cloth, 31c. 37c, 1" EeRant Mosaic and Wilton Rags, Medallion Carpet. and Piano Covers, Choir Matting, Check Matting Mat Gold and Paluted Window Shades, Ac all allow Church and Office Carpets. N.

B.AUBOods warranted as represented. HIRAM ANDERSON, 99 Boweiy. mbS6 3m Bhm of the larse Golden Eagle. CLOTHING FOR MEN AND BOTS. JOSEPH BRYAN, No.

214 FULTON STREET. Between Clark and Pineapple. Is now offering his IMMENSE and DESIRABLE ASSORT MENT MEN'S AND BOYS' CLOTHING AT GREATLY REDUCED PRICES. The Custom Department Is filled with the moBt desirable itiles of CLOTHS, COATINGS, PANTALOON STUFFS, AND VE8TTNGS. Which will be made up to order In good taste.

alT 2ta BAD BBEATH, SORE M0UTH8, DISEASED BLEEDING GUMS, Are cured by DR HURD'S MOUTH WASH AND TOOTH POWDER, for sale by J. W. A YES. 17S Fulton stret t. And by druggists generally.

Price 25 cents per box or bottle. mhl3m PYLE BROTUEK, PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTS AND DRUGGISTS. Fulton, corner of Pierrepont street. And Columbia corner of Carroll Brooklyn. N.

Y. Having opened our new store on the corner of Fulton and Pierrepont streets. In conjunction with our old stand In Bouth Brooklyn, we hope by a stmct akd pbbsoxal attention to business to merit the confidence and support of the community. inyl5 lm CATARACT WASHING MACHINE. CLOTHING.

TIME AND LABOR SAVED. This Machine consists of an outer and aa Inner cylinder revolvingln opposite directions by means ol one crank. The water is forced through the clothes, removing the dirt with, uot the slightest wear to the finest fabrics. Ladies and gentlemeu are Invited to call and sec this machine In operation. 353 FULTON STREET, OPPOSITE CITY HALL.

L. B. WALKER, Agent for Lonn Island, mh28 3m Office Brooklyn Laundry. gjTJoi.uyr Mountain Coal. Wo have now on hand a supply ot the justly celebrated Looosi Mountain Coil, received direct from the mines without transhipment, which wc are prepared to deliver to families In Brooklyn or New York.

In fine order, from under cover, guaranteed unmixed with any other coal. The abscoee of clinker and small quantity of ashes or waste, render this Coal greatly superior to any other Tor Kanuks, Fukiuobs or Stiivks' Orders received at our wharf, between Fcltok akd Ctusbwk Frkrikb. Brooklyn, and at 95 Beaver street, two doors from wll, New TSlo2btf MARSTON A POWER. 3" W. V.

HAWKBSWOItTU, O. Surveyor. S2 Pacific Btrent llrooklvn. City and myStf 3J CALL1COT LBV1NOS, ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELLORS AT LAW Offices. 18 Pine street, THKoraiLTO O.

Nbw Yoar.dS Gom 8. Levwos. JOHN O' MAflONT, DZIXKR IUrOBTED WlMES. BuitSntS, AKD SBOASS. Lohdoh Browr Stout aub Scotch Alb, o.

88 Myrtle svenue.nesr Fulton 06 It LYON'S MAGNETIC INSECT POWDER. The old and only article to exterminate BED BUGS. ROACHES, ANTS. GARDEN INSECTS, 4c, Without Poison. LYON'S MAGNETIC PILLS.

Bitermlnate RATS. MICE and ALL VERMIN. Buildings Ships, Ac, cleared by contract, BARNES A PARK. No. 13 Park row, nd J.

W. nayes. 171 Fuhon and O. B. Leavenworth, cor.

Court and Jer olunion and sold by all Druggist and Grocers. Beware of Imitations. IIom.owav'h Ointment and Pills Tne lam try medicine chest that Is furnished with these two powerful, remedies needs nothing mure. Eruptions, or'8, wmn' ulcers, tumors, and stitr Joints, nro oured by the alt affections of the bowels, stomach, and "V8oWbat themllnufaetoriea, No nrt No. aw Strand.

London: and by all Druggists, at 25 eta. and 1 pit pot or box. rg Peter Lynan, Whole9aw and Rut ail nJSrr In North Riv Bum Stomb, office comer of Flushing 5Sd 1 CMntoti Bast Brooklyn. Flagging laid to order" ii it jouvhx's Km Glovb (jlbanbb, 25 cents rierbottle. One botte cleans 50 pair.

The name of Ouu i Co 385 Broadway, New York, upon every bottle of the genuine? For sale by Mas. M. Hatxb, 175 Fulton sheet, aa by audruixlata In Brooklyn. leWlv annum. Fur the purpose of comparison, wo now refer to tne 1st, 2d, and lid wards, lying remote from tho Washington park.

Their taxable valuation in 1S43 was and in 1S52, (comprising the same territory as in 1343), it had increased thus showing an increase of about 60 per cent in four years being about 12 per cent per annum. No stronger illustration of the effect of public improvements in increasing taxable values, could well be given. Some have objected that the cost of the park is to bo paid by the the first twelve wards alone, while, as they (lain), ihe benefits of the improvement will extend tho remainder of the city. This is quite probable but the reason for assessing the cost of the park upon the first twelve wards has already been stated to be that the Eastern district claims tlmt'iijwill Boon need a park upon ltidgcwood Heights, the cost of which will be assessed upon that part of the city. In such an event, each district would have a park to be laid out according to its own wants, and to be paid for and maintained at is own cos'.

This feature of the bill can be amended hereafter, should it seem equitable and proper so to do. The general subject of parks has long been under consideration by the people of Brooklyn, and this location has been indicated by public opinion. In the language of the Park Commissioners "Prospect Hill, on account of its commanding views of Brooklyn, New York, Jamaica Bay and the ocean beyond, of Ihe Eastern part of Kings County, of the Bay of jncw xoric, btaten isianu, tue JNarrows anu jnow jersey shore, tbe undulating surfaco of the ground, tho lino growth of timber covering a large portion of it, and tho absence of any considerable improvements to be paid for, has for many years been contemplated by our citizens as a favorite place for a nark." Unanimously recommended by the Commissioners, it was unanimously supported by the delegations from this county, in both branches of tbe Legislature, and was approved by the Common Council. Quoting further from tne commissioners' report, we say, in meir language: "While it behooves onr citizens to avoid creating op. presbive burdens, something must be conceeded to the taste and spirit of the age an age unequalled in activity, enterprise, intelligence rnia refinement, something to the peculiarity of our geographical situation, contiguous to the metropolis of the Western world; and something to the wants of future millions who seem destined to draw largely to this point, the resources of overy nation on the earth." Tho Commissioners added that they entertained "no doubt that these public grounds should 71010 bo secured to the and TVi t'nuottr fully in llila oonviotion.

Wc therefore respectfully, but earnestly, urge upon the Common Council of the city, and upon its officers, and upon the Commissioners named in the bill, to take without do lay, and to follow to a definite conclusion, all such steps as are requisiie to carry into execution tho law for the establishment and improvement of the Prospect Part OTHER IMPROVKMKSTS. Other improvements, of minor importance, but still of general interest, have been authorized. One of these consists or widening Third street to the width of SO feet, and opening it to that width from Oarrol Hill at Smith street, to the Park at Ninth avenue, including a bridge over Gowanus creek. The work is placed in charge of Commissioners, who are authorized to macadamize and finish it as they shall judge proper, The entire cost of the improvement, including tho cost of the bridge, is to he assessed upon the lands fronting upon said street, as in said act provided. Tvio important public drives nave also been provided for one upon Atlantic avenue, the other upon Fourth avenue.

Ihese avenues are to bo opened to the width of ISO and 160 feet respectively, public drives and promenades are 10 be established thereon; and they are to be completed and beautified as Bhalt be determined by tho Commissioners named in the laws. A portion of the expense is assessed upon the property fronting upon tho avenues, the remainder is a public charge. All th(Mmprovement8are, in themselves, very desirable. In connection with the park, the macadamised and ornamented drives will, when completed, furnish an attraction such as can scarcely be found elsowhere on this comment. Some have objected to tho Atlantic and Fourth avenue act, that all the cost of the improvements, except what is raised by the local assessment, is to bo charged upon tho "Western Fire which, they allege, includes only a part orthe first twelve wards and docs not include all of the Kighth and Ninth wards, in which the avenues are principally situated On the other hand it is with equal confidence asserted that the words "Western Fire District," as applied to the city of Brooklyn, have the same legal meaning as the words "Western District," or "first twelve wards of the city.

Legal gentlemen of undoubted ability hold this view, and we concur in their opinion. But should thero be any reasonable doubt as to the true legal meaning and construction of this language, we pledge ourselves to use our best efforts to obtain from the next Legislature on amendment of all the laws by striking out the words "Western Fire District," wherever they occur, and by inserting ih lieu thereof the words "first twelve wards of tne city." Tho friends of tho improvements consider that to be the meaning of the language now used in the laws, and they will unite, cordially, In obtaining any amendment which may be desired, to express their meaning unequivocally. None of the objections which have been urged and nooe of the amendments which have been suggested, render any delay in tile execution of these laws cimer necessary or expedient. On the contrary, we should regard anv considerable delay as positively injurious, inasmuch "as the value of the lands appropriated for oil these improvements is constantly increasing, and tho true interest of the city and of tbe taxpayers require that the most speedy steps should be taken, which the laws will allow, to appraise the property, and thus to obtain it at its present moderate valuation. We trust, therefore, that the city authorities, and the commissioners named in the various acts, will unite to carry into immediate effect these contemplated improvements.

Should this bo done, there will be ample time to obtain any necessary amendments relating to the modes or to the district of assessments before the cost of tho im provements could be levied under the existing laws; and wumoiaii liuicb aiu iu ooiaiuiiig sucu proper amonu atory legislation a may bo required, to perfect these acts in accordance with the views herein expressed; and, in tbe meantime, thero is no reason to doubt that the authorities will regard the first twelve wards of the city as the territory upon which the taxation provided by the laws is to be levied. After the reading of the above, the following resolutions were also read by Mr. Gilbert Itesolvcd, That the residents and tax payers of tho city of Brooklyn, here assembled, cordially approve of tho Prospect Hill Park, and of the other public improvements authorised by the last Legislature; and they adopt tho statement which has been prepared by the Committee, and which has been read to this meeting, as containing their views and opinions in relation to those im provcmeiits. licaohed, That we invite the co ope.ration of the authorities and of all of the citizens of Brooklyn, in aiding to carry into Immediate execution the improvements authorized ihe laws 10 which we nave referred, and by which wo believe that the prosperity of the City will be greatly promoted; and Whereas, some of our citizens have expressed doubts as to the meaning of the language used iu a purtion of these acts; and the friends of the improvements do not desire that there should be anything ambiguous or uncertain in relation to the meaning thereof. Therefore be it further llcsidvcd, That should it hereafter be deemed necessary, and should il be desired, we will unite in any eflbrts which may be required to obtain from the next Legislature fhc.amcndnicnia indicated In the foregoing statement; but in the mean time, it is neither necessary nor expedient, to delay action in relation to the execution of ihe laws except so far as concerns the levying of tho assessments.

Resolved, That the foregoing statement and these resolutions, be incorporated in the proceedings of this meeting, and bo signed by the officers thereof and published; and that a copy of the same be presented to the Commoo Council. Mr. Gilbert said it seemed to be a very novel occasion that a meeting of this description Bhould be called together to aid in carrying out laws solemnly parsed by the Legi lature of tho State. If any mistake had occurred on the oart of theLegit injustice was attempted, he conceded that his fellow cltizcus were justified in taking steps to prevent the execution of these laws. Let us see how far the complaints made at the mee'ing of the gentlemen on Monday evening lust are borne out by the facts in the case.

The Legislature of 1859 passed a law for the appointment of commissioners for the location ot a public park. The commi isioners appointed were some of our most prominent citizens men in whom all have confidence. Thy met together from time to time and heard the views of all, and their proceedings were published day after day in the newspapers they finally unanimously agreed on a report to present to the Legislature, and that report was published in all the papers of the city and what further publicity he asked could possibly be given. What is there to complain of in regard to these laws Tttey say the tax Is levied unequally. By the law locating Prospect Hill Park, that part of the city most immediately benefitted is taxed heaviest, and the remainder is Bpread over the larger part of tho.