The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-04-13
A Guardian of the Forests.

Mr.. LANSING, the Senator from WatertOwn,
seems destined to become somewhat noto-
rious and conspicuous figure In State poll
tics. Mr.. LANSING Is best known to the
public at largo as On earnest advocate for the
preservation Of the Adirondack forests.
As . member Of the Senate committee
he visited tile wilderness. According
to the report which he published later,
he and his associates had o most agree
able trip through the woods under the min
istering care OF his young friend, Mr..
TELEMACHUs v. CoLv1N. The party visited
the principal summer resorts, where they
were greeted with the unbounded Joy and
enthusiasm which their presence as preserv-
ers Of the North Woods stirred In the breast
Of the summer boarder. When the trip was
over, Mr.. LANSING knew all about the Adiron-
dack question; 1t was not necessary to make
any further investigation, he knew 1t all.
To be sure his report did not indicate that
profound knowledge Of forests, the methods
at forest management, or the climatic and
liuvisl Influences Of the Adirondack forests
which might have been expected from per-
son Of Mr.. LANsINa's intelligence, who had
devoted not less than twenty-one long sum-
NOR days to the consideration Of these SUBJ
3ects from the piazzas of number of sum-
mer resorts. But as Mr.. LANSING said he
knew all about It. and as Mr.. CoLvM cor
r0borated Mr.. LANsING's statements. 1t Ia
very evident that he did not toll everything
he knew In his official report. Mr.. LANSING
now set about the preparation OF . bill which
should preserve his well-beloved forests
from further despolistion and provide q
lucrative Official position for his young
forest guide, whose career as the head Of
the expensive Adirondack Survey appeared
to an unfeeling and unappreciating public
to have about eliminated.
About this time a movement was begun in
this city to secure II possible the passage Of
some measure at Albany which should make
the preservation Of the North Woods possible
As Mr.. LANSING know all about the North
Woods. and was the most ardent champion In
the Legislature for their preservation. tho
promoters OF tho movement In this city
wisely endeavored to harmonic their views
with his, and, by . combination OF
forces. to facilitate the passage OF such
q bill as It seemed desirable to secure. Mr..
LANSING fell at once into their way of
thinking. and changed his proposed bill to
meet the views Of the representatives OF the
Chamber Of Commerce and tho commercial
bodies Of the State who had interested them
selves In the subject. Things now seemed to
be working satisfactorily all around; tho
representatives Of the commercial interests
Of tho State retired 10 their counting houses
with the feeling that the forests were safe In
Mr.. LANsINo's hands. for Mr.. LANSING was
o friend Of the forests. and knew al about
the Adirondack matter. Several weeks
passed by. and Mr.. LANSING finally COM
plsted his labors and reported his bill. 1t
was found to be admirably conceived for ev.
erything except preserving the forests. Mr.
CoLv1N was provided for, tho lumbermeu
wero made secure, the axpsyers In the
northern counties wero looked out for. but
the people at large. the promises made to tho
representatives Of the commercial interests
OF this city, and the forests had evidently en-
tirely escaped Mr.. LANAINas memory.
Another effort WAS then made. In spite oil
the loss Of 20 much valuable time. tt
bring the Legislature 10 serious considsra
tion Of the whole question. The Chamber O
Commerce caused 10 DO prepared and intro
duced into thu Assembly . btu tor this pur