Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-08-16
A National Park at Niagara Fails.

The syndicate Of robbers at Niagara Fails
have become a good deal alarmed at the COM
nents of the press on the fencing in OF the
American side OF that great natural curiosity,
and at the visible falling of IN the number of
visitors in cOnseG uence of the outrageous i'm
Positions practiced there. One of them, a little
holder than the rest, rushes into print to defend
the so-ealled park scheme, by which an addi-
tional twenty cents is wrung from every visitor
who wishes near view of the American Fall.
He does this on the ground that the land en-
closed l. private property, and that its owners
have the right to DO with it as they please. As
matters stand at present they undoubtedly have
this right, as q matter of law; but the course
they have adopted is a fatal one in the better
light Of policy and eSpediency. Its ultimate
effect can only be TO keep visitors away entirely
Ct drive them to the Canadian side, and thus
ruin the hotels and depreciate business and
property of every kind in the village.
The true course for those interested in the
welfare Of the town would be to take the necss-
sary steps, by purchase or otherwise, to abolish
all toll gates and entrance fees, and thus make
visit to all the attractive points a substantial
pleasure, instead Of costly and constant an
noyance, as at present Under such circum-
stances fifty people would be induced to 90
there where one goes now, and the increase to
the profit of legitimate business thus secured
for few seasons would more than repay the
cost Of bringing about 50 desirable a condition
Of things.
1t Is not likely, however. that the harpies who
now have the place in their clutches will be
far-sighted enough 70 see the wisdom of this
policy, and il is altogether probable that under
their control the existing modes of fIching
money from the pockets of the public will be
kept up until tourists and visitors cease to 20
there at all. This Is to be regretted on every
account. for the great cataract is really one of
the wonders OF the world, and one which should
be made attractive and easily accessible to all,
poor a well as rich.
The truth il, and it is becoming more mani
fest every year, that government made a great
mistake when il permitted any of the land In
tie vicinity of the alls to 60 into the hands of
private individuals. The whole tract should
have been kept as public reserv alton or park,
just as the Yo Semitic and Yellowstone valleys
have since been reserved. 1t is of course too
late now to retain il as those places were re-
tanned; but there is one other course that will
secure the same end, and that course should be
adopted without delay. 1t Is to condemn, at q
valuation, for public use, all the land Dor
fering on and adjacent to the Rapids and
Fails, and set il aside rs a Free Ma
tional Park forever. The same considera-
lions which led to reserving the Yo Semitic
anu heuowstone valleys can be urged, and
with even greater ( rec, in favor o; condemn
ing the several isla DIS and the banks of the
river on the AmeriC N side as prop sed. The
Falls are as grand q natural curiosity in their
way a. are those wonderful places aud, situ-
ated Is they are, in the midst Of a IL ickly set
tied region, and not very far from tie actual
center OF population, the creation OF a free
PARK Al that place would be q M n more
available oenefaction than the almost inacces-
lsioie reservations in the middle of I +, conti
nent. IL would, to be sure, take considerable
money to do this; but il would be worth /. Urea,
deal OF money to have it done. Indie ID the
government can better afford to paw aim ,st anv
price for the property required than 10 allow i,
70 remain In its present disgraceful ownership.
This project, we may add, has alrealy besn
discussed and fayorably entertained by earnest
and patriotic men, and We are assured tina,
should the measure come before Congr,S q this
winter, as ii probably viii, 1t will receive a
large support from the start, without reference
70 geographical location or political prcdilec-
tion OF members, but solely on the broad ma
tlonai ground OF restoring to the people that
which never should have been taken out of
their hands.