I have been nursing all the odd jobs I could make on the park to keep men in employment eno’ to earn a living, through the winter, and have succeeded in keeping along quite 1000 till this time. But my resources in this way are giving out and I have had to discharge fifty men this week, of the old force, and shall have to part with more before we undertake new work. Therefore I can not give employment at present to even one man, however strong my personal sympathy with his misfortune.

I enclose a note to the recruiting officer which he can try on whenever he chooses to take the trouble to come up as far as 64th. street, but it will do no good at present.

I read the articles to which you refer, when I was closer to death’s door than you were probably aware. Thank you.

The passage of the so called Hutchins’ bill, of which I learn that there is really much danger, would, I fear, be very disastrous to the park. Even with the present Commission, I shall find it necessary to have my power to resist the demands of politicians very much enlarged this spring, or quit. I can not live another year subject to the humiliations of the last, in this respect.

[328]

I should come up to see you, but am yet too lame for your stairs. I have not gained any, during the winter, my left leg being still useless.