New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-21
this reason, we are convinced that the Senate
should lay it upon the table until December.
CONCERNING NIAGARA FALLS.

A large number of intelligent, reputable and
public. spirited citizens of this State have petit
toned the Legislature to pass law which shall
provide for the preservation OF the scenery
around Niagara Falls. The Ways and Means
Committee of the Assembly gave hearing
few days since, on bill framed to meet inc
views of these petitioners. 1t was advocated
by Howard Potter x-Lieutenant-G
Dorsheimer, Bishop Doane and others, whlie
no one appeared to oppose it except the owner
of mill at the Falls. The committee decided
to make favorable report and such report
has been submitted to the House by Erastus
Brooks, chairman, only one member OF the COM
nittee dissenting.
The gist of the bill has already appeared
in our columns Carefully drawn, so as
to guard against unnecessary or lnordl-
nate expense it provides for the reser-
walton of certain lands about the Falls for
public park. We trust that 1t VIII
speedily become law. 1t is one OF those BEN
elcent, non partisan public measures in which
all sections of the State ought to feel common
interest, since it is designed to protect and con-
serve one of the most famous sources OF our
common pride That IT. or its equivalent, ought
familiar with the present condition of the Falls.
1t is hardly too much to afllrw that this, one OF
the greatest of Natures wonders is to-day a
disgrace to New Workers. Emerson once wrote
that chief use of culture is TO correct ones
theory of success. Judging from the states
gross neglect of the Falls, in spite oil the gene
raj diffusion of intelligence and OF the opportu-
mites for refinement, it would not be unjust 10
conclude that our people have not yet attained
TO any considerable degree OF culture. The
petitioners in their communication 10 the Leg
isature point out that there is not foot OF
American soil from which the citizens OF New
York can obtain, without payment, sight OF the
Falls that for want of intelligent supervision,
the scenery round about-the settings OF the
unequalled jewels-is being constantly dlshg-
ured and impoverished that, in short, the Falls
are being vulgarly sacrificed for the benefit OF
private individuals who see in them only show
to be exhibited at so much IA head, or water
privilege to be utilized for the turning Of mill
wheels.
This account Of the Falls, and nobody Ques-
tions its Truth, is at war with any theory OF
State success resulting from culture. In view OF
il the sagacious citizen OF the world may well
he pardoned for entertaining the suspicion that
our great common wealth is given over to a sor-
did materialism, resulting in the accumulation of
wealth but the decay of men. Everybody has
laughed at the anecdOte of the tailor who. upon
first viewing the Falls, was moved To exclaim
BOUNDS, what place To sponge a coat" But
the State has allowed the Falls to fall under the
control Of people who take no worthier or wider
vicw of their purpose and meaning than that
which this tailor enunciated. In the old fable
Pegasus was harnessed to - plough. The close
of the nineteenth century finds one Of Gods SUI
preme revelations of the Beautiful and the Sub
lime harnessed To hacks, hotels, restaurants and
much hideous bead-w0rk.
IL has been well said by world famous writer
that we should do our utmost to encourage the
Beautiful, since the Useful encourages itself. Ii
is high time that New FORK laid this truth to
heart SO far as Niagara Falls are concerned.
For if she does not speedily interfere serious
and permanent injury 10 them will be accom-
plished. SO say those who have recently in
spected them and the scenery that surrounds
them. The pending bill is opposed solely on
the ground that the proposed park will cost con-
siderable money But, "A we have already
stated the bill Is carefully drawn, and under it
extravagance in the outlay is impossible. And
while our State has 40 money to squander on
unworthy objects, it is abundar tly able TO meet
every Legitimate expense, like the one in view,
looking to the conservation of her reputation.
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p III