New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-05-31
THE NIAGARA RESERVATION.
PREPARING TO OPEN IT TO THE PUBLIC.

| N
Reservation does not become the property OF the s'Ao
dov too soon The most superficial observer who now
visits the Falls can understand that II the heserVa
ton bill which became q law on April 81 had iaieu W
pass the work destruction which has DECD going On
| for many years would have continued Win greauy
accelerated rapdity The Porter family TO It's enduring
credit has preserved Goat Island from Dissertation Dy
nume or mill or any of the manufacturing horrors 10 DO
seen in every other direction around the FAILS But INC
eye of the spoier was fixed on this fair island. ne
was the most advantageous spot OF all TOT vast MINIS "
offers have been standing ready, In case the Dill snouu
fall for taking the property from the owner hnuS ~
considerably larger price than paid by the STATE Tue
result OF partition suit still pending concerning TINS
island would doubtless have been to throw u ih'o sucn
control Not alone here but elsewhere aiohg '"o i'
the spirit OF making destruction weuh nave "hn
Tested itself This has been held In checR TOT se'ea
years by the proceedings that have been progressing W
secure the property a State Reservation. bnt tne
defeat OF these measures the Legislature wound nave
heen the signal for the renewal OF the manufacturers
scheme with double In AL prooaoty no son
work as Is now carried blythe Reservation com
mission could ever again have been successfully unuer
taken by the State The numter Of visitors woud nave
gone ON diminishing with each season until something
pnroacbnp the present condition. cohocs or Trenton
| Falls reached. 5000.
All this has been changed byi the enactment OF ie
Reservation bill Manufacturers arc seeking othcr por-
tops OF the Niagara River where the waterpower may
scenery OF the Falls The propretors OF the mills on
Bath Island and along the shore preparing 10 leave
Indian curiosity shops and other unsghty booths VIII
soon be removed beyond the borders OF the Reservation
and in many other directions are seen the signs OF tn
coming change. The propretors or inc chie hoes arc
keeny aliye to this Instead OF the long facea wien
which in years they have mourned the departure
OF Niagara fortunate days they are now indulgng In
hopeful antctlons OF seeing their halls thronged WIN
multitudes of visitors they were twenty ana thirty
years ago. None are more ANXIOUS thah tbey TOT 'no
Commissioners TO assume control, because none under
stand better than they how much effect tho change 10 DO
wrought both In management and In the appearance OF
tie surro andngs will have upon the number OF visitors
10 the Falls The three chief summer hotels opened last
week the Cataract House receiving the first guests OF
the season tho Commissioners OF the Reservation VINO
met there last Saturday to make arrangements for
assuming control
| The Commissioners would have liked to take imms-
diate possssson that they might meet at the pop
uar for free admission TO the grounds But they
fonnd In their way the legal obstacle that formal pay
nent awards 10 the present owners could not be
made until after July l. when the sale of bonds Issued
for the purpose is first authorized. The only thing
remaining for them to do at present was to mako
arrangements 10 accomplish the most essential change
as soon rs they should obtain jurisdiction. The plans
have not yet determined upon with certainty, but
probably OF the first things to be done VIII DO the
remoy al of all or hearty all buildings standing upon the
on Bath Island the Hill and Murray woodpup mills.
with the adjoining structures the shore will Of Itself
make marvellous Grange in tho aspect OF the scene
IL Is anticipated that tho proceeds from the sale OF
machinery and other materials from tho mills and other
structures removed will be sufficient % pay the e1
penses OF the restoration OF the banks TO their natural
condition that to be carried during tho next year
The scheme In this direction chiefly considered at
present Is that experienced and competent landscape
engineer be employed 10 draw plans for tho work or
restoration. and that hsn II accepted they 10 carried
under his supervision or that OF the superintendent
OF the Reservation.
Tho Commissioners are proceeding with great In
the matter OF expense, apparently considering them
selves morally bound by the assurances given before the
passage OF the Reservation Act that the work should DE
prosecuted with economy and with no attempt to DO
more than surroundings OF tho Falls their
native witness. The planting OF snitabe trees and
shrubs Will DO tho chief items OF expense after tho
Objectionable budngs mill fumes. cribs etc, shall
have been taken away. The running expense VIII Do
principally for salaries OF competent suPcrnteHd-
et who shall have general direction OF the Reservation
under the authority Of the Commissioners. Tor police
and other attendants. and FOR minor necessary Improve
uents repairs The Commissioners are 70 recoivo no
ray except actual expenses Incurred In the performance
of their official duties Under the PROVISIONS OF tho
supplemental Act defining tho powers OF the Commission
all part OF the Reservation be FREQ ~ to the
public without charge. What disposition Is 70 be made
OF the cable railway running FROM the Prospect Park
grounds 10 the bank at the foot OF the Falls. and also the
1ryiSgo OF gdiding visitors into the Cave Of the
Winds tho Falls Is stl the subject OF discussion
The Commissioners may decide 10 lease these privileges
to private individuals subject 10 their control they
may operate the railways Themselves and employ tho
guides for the In either these will be source
or revenue the state aud visitors At the time
will have complete guarantee against unfair eXacons
Probably no restaurants booths u any kind win be
allowed within the observation. Its limits viii DO
defined by appropriate fences other OF separ
ton from adjoiDing property. There will be- several
entrances under police supervision some what similar
10 that in Central Park The road along the
Prospect Park Port Day will he put in good condition
40 that the many visitors who consider the rapids above
the Falls OF tho most Impressive sights at niagara
may view their entire length from their carriages with
| out leaving tho grounds.
Hero as elsewhere within the Reservation the Com
missoners will have the control the hackmen. 10
il hoped that they may 10 able 10 this authority 10
destroy OF the greatest aud most annoying abuses
that has existed at Niagara But the task not easy
| one The hackinen not going to relinqulsh the
despotc sway they have exercised In this locality with
out hard struggle. The they have at their
| nand are not to be Ignored. The Commissioners
expect no aid from tho authorities Of the village OF
Niagara Falls. Politically It Is dominated by the hack
men and their Not more than coo votes
cast In the corporation elections More than 100 licenses
are granted 10 "a many hackmen. Each one OF these
drivers controls, average, not fewer than two
other votes; that they able absolutely dictate
all the political management OF the place The
municipal affairs managed legally by President and
four other members OF the Board OF Trustees Tho
president the faherinlaw of OF the chief leaders
OF the hacmen and two Of tho are themselves
hackmen. Consequently IL Is easy TO understand how
entirely their interest all the village affairs ARE map
aged There village ordinances against solicitation
passengers by drivers but the enforcement OF them
worse than farce Peter A. Porter from whom the
State will purchase Goat Island attempted while Presl-
dent OF tho village several ago to break up this