New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-03
NV OF RECKONING AT hand.


Notwithstanding the pre-eminent Importance
of such legislation mt Albany a. will preserve
and restore the Adirondack forests, il begins to
look as though nothing would be accomplished
nj this session. The question has been before
the people of the State for years. IL has at
tracted the attention of all persons concerned in
its commercial and sanitary interests. a hoou
of light has been thrown upon the extraordinary
evils which will fall upon the people If the de-
structcn of the forests is allowed to continue
A legislative committee and a commission APP
pointed by the Controller have both reported
tir,st It 10 es .h~ highest Importance that steps
should be taken at once ID reclaim and preserve
these forest lands. With the exception OF
few interested persons there has been uni
versll demand for strong protective measures
and for the adoption of wise and effective
system of State management But III the face
of these facts hardly anything has been accom-
plished.
A bill was passed last year to prevent the
further sale of forest lands owned by the State,
but in the light of a recent decision by the
Supreme Court the State owns hardly any OF
the 100000 of acres of such lands hence
that bill is of little value. Beyond that the
State stands precisely where it did at the be-
ginning of this agitation, except that 1t Is much
worse of, and every years delay will make 1t
more difficult to reclaim the lands. The Hudson
will continue to grow more shallow In dry
seasons and the Legislature will continue an
nualy to make large appropriations to clear out
the distractions which are coming to the sur
face. The Erie Canal, for the maintenance OF
which the State yearly spends hundreds Of
~. IL 6 loilars and (which braxya half
of its water supply from the Adirondack
region, will continue to be threatened by the
decrease in that supply. Fires will keep up the
work of DISCRIMINATING the forests. These and
other evils will follow SO long as the Legislature
does nothing to inaugurate better state OF
things For this delay in affOrding relief a
great responsibility will fall upon the shoulders
of the legislators.
Last year the Adirondack measures were al
lowed to drag along until the close of the session
and were then consolidated into n bill which in
vited veto. This year the able report Of the
Adirondack Commission was laid before the
members at the beginning of the session.
Three bills prepared by it were introduced by
Mr.. Hustled. They were carefully drawn and
provided exactly that positive legislation
needed for the protection of the forests. Mr..
Hustled has reported the bills favorably. but for
some unaccOuntable reason they have met with
that fatal delay which seems to overtake all
legislation on this subject. About the same
time Mr. Low introduced bill in the Senate
which, while not as effective as the Commission
bills was a fair measure. But it has been re-
ported in an emasculated form-some of its best
provisions having been stricken out, and even
in its present shape il meets with opposition.
In the Assembly the Committee on Public
Lands has reported still knother measure,
which is little better than nothing.
The Legislature cannot escape the serious
responsibility of again defeating positive legis-
lalion on this subject The bills introduced by
Mr.. Hustled should be passed. The highest in
terests of the State demand such legislation.
Only prompt action can alone save the forests
from destruction.