New-York tribune., 1881-10-08
VANDALISM AT NIAGARA.

AcF,trNTs ABOUT THE FAIIs-FEAsIBILITf
or THE INTERNATIONAL PARK PROJECT-REPORr
OF THE NEw-YoRK STATE COMMISSIONERS
fFRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF TIE Ilho'l"'
NIAGARA FALLS, n. Y, Oct lit IS no shshV
task to address the public once more on the supJec,
of Niagara. So many columns have been hileu
with accounts of the various impostiOns OF the
place with adventure and conversat ons' WIN
superlative adiectyes and soaring wry-necked
metaphors, tbat-with shame be 1t said Niagara
is now classed with the walking matches ana
fasters as a thing of which the public is heartily
tired. Let me begin then, by assuring the readers
of TUy tribune that ] shall report neither gossip
nor adventure. that l shall not mention u single
bridal couple that my allusions TO the eXtra'a-
gances of the place will be of the bneie' ana 'ha'
have too profound a conviction OF the Shor'H'''
of life and the consequent value OF time 10 at'"P'
n description of the indescribable. would address
them on a serious and pressing matter ih",'er
which is of interest 10 every man VINO desires ''a'
his Nation and generation shall leave eooh report
and he followed into history by prd and gratitude
Before me lies a handsome volume published iaat
year. entitled, Especial Report OF the New-Hork
state Survey on the Preservation of the Scenery oi
Niagara Falls" It contains two wondcuts, three
mans. and eleven heliolypo prints Before conSid-
ernn the contents OF this book short account
mDst be given of how it came 10 exist. some time
ago Lord Duiicrin. then G0yernor-General o.
Canada suggested that the State of New ORR ana
the Dominion of Canada should unite In obtaining
possession of the lands adjacent to The rams ol
Niagara for the purpose of establishing m 'nerhhr
tional reservation or park, and thus secure lhe
scenery from present DETACHMENT and certain ulii-
mate destruction. 1hIs suggestion was received III
different ways: some people thought it worthy OF
instant execution, Others thought 1t Utoplan. III
found powerful friend, however, IN Governor
Robinson who embodied il IN his annual message
with the recommendation that CommiNs on be APP
pointed to consider the subject After some pre-
limnary wrggling the following joint resolution oi
the Legislature was passed Resolred, That the
Commissioners Of the Stale Survey are hereby
directed to inquire consider and reTort what if
arv measures it may be expedient for the state 10
aJout for carving out the suggestions contained IN
the annual message Of the Governor, with respect
TO Niagara Falls" The Commissioners were further
authorized to confer with similar body represent
ing the Dominion of Canada or the Province OF
Ontario. The necessary studies were made, and the
present volume the result IL contains the special
report OF the Commissioners, the report oil th'
Director OF the Survey. Mr. James +. Gardu r, some
supplementary notes by Mr.. Frederick Law Olm-
sted who was associated by the Commissioners
with Mr.. Gardner, fac-simile of the first London
edition of Father Hcnnepn's account of his dis
coyery Of Niagara, a copy Of memorial addressed
to Governor Cornell and the Governor-Gencral OF
Canada and followed by a remarkable list of sigma
lures and an extract from the message Of Governor
Robinson These are illustrated with the plates and
maps already mentioned. 1t will be seen that tHis
is a carefully prepared and interesting volume, and
moreover that it is too expensive TO be widely car
culated. It has been read by few persons besides
those Immediately concerned and TIE TLBUNE
will therefore do a public service III making It's
contents generally known. lt is really remark
able book. Between It's covers one finds msh
order Of description some shrewd law, considerable
political instruction, much excellent philosophy.
and as hetics aud patriotism in striking comblna-
ton Under these circumstances II would be a mis-
take for me to rewrte its contents; the most
modest as well the most satisfactory plan viii he
to allow the writers to present their IDEAS, with
the addition of whatever commentary may he
necessary in the way OF explanation or supplement.
The ground is thus laid out:
Under this resolution /: became the duty Of tle Com
nissiOuers ascertain now far iIr private holug OF
the land about Niagara Fail, has worked 10 public dis
advantage through de~cements OF The eceney 70 de-
erniHe the character % such dclarcmert- 10 estIa ac
IefLer the proascd aciion 6i the Stale l. necessary TO
the process OF destruction AID 10 restore tp the
scenery It's original character
Before proceeding to the matter Immediately in
ply concerning the dissatisfaction of visitors:
The summer climate OF the region Is most agreeable,
and t.osc coming to il from the scaboari experience
nv several favore routes travel inns of good
Teputc their sanitary conditions uncommonly salts
where Under these circumstances it mgh, reasonably
have been expected that Niagara would De tie ten
pOrary residence Of great numbers Of those
who every migrate from town 10 country, and
one oi the most popuial places oi vacation sGHh N 81,
the class referred to- and though II receives great mum
Der transient visitors, II believed That At other
notable pleasure resort OF Europe or America i the stay
OF travellers 30 short IL may be 1ddtd that II the public
many visitors depart in i'll huinor.
The common explanation that this is all caused
by pestering demands and petty exactions is re-
jected, and the following thoughtful one substl-
tuted
The value Of Niagara to the world and that which has
obtained for it the homage OF many men whom the
world rcvores lies IN it's power OF appeal to the higher
emotional and una gnatye faculties and this power Is
known through verbal description. To proper appTe-
hcnson OF these, something norc than Pa' 'ng ohsrva-
than instantaneous act Of will IL Is then
composed receptive and conicmplaiye frame of mind
is at Niagara source Of deeper irritation offence and
dissatisfaction than it can be elsewhere.
BY a series of judicious extracts from the report
condensed account Of the present state of things
and the proposed remedy can be obtained. To begin
with description of what has called out this
movement:
The American shore Is occupied by village, and the
land bordering the river has been divided into house
lots. Many OF these already built upon; all
liable 10 be. There American soil from which the
Falls be contemplated except Ut the pleasure Of
private owner, ami under such conditions he may
choose 10 mpOse upon which the most outrageous
caprices OF taste may not be indulgcd or the most
offensive interpretations forced upon the landscape
The latter part Of this statement is borne out by
the fact that board adverisinga railroad is planted
right in the middle Of the American rapids and chat
thousands of people brought in excursion
parties from all over the country to see the falls
illuminated by colored electric lights. The effect
of this is positively frlghtful. All the hotels are