New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-19
THE ADIRONDACK RAILROADS.
. REPLY TO THE CHARGE THAT THEY ABE
nnu,smArING THE FORESTS.

prp1y TO THE CHARGE THAT THEY ALE
DEVASTATING THE FORESTS
To the Edftor Of The Trfo~he' ,.
Sir: More than thirty years ago lmade inc a'eua'"
- - Tho Tribune From that time TO the present
Il has held in my heart and home the placc VI 'V"
edontial friend adviser and instructor Nothlns "''
1851 DURING these years to mar the smooth, deep
current of satisfaction until recently. vi COURSE ~
not tnfreouent paragraphs containing "hau nus AZ
,ho railroads Of the Adirondacks not unnotceu'
ht 60 long as they were generalties however severe
rrore nassed by as non-offensve. But when w"
rlrmned down upon me in the issue OF juno 20 ~
denunciation of the Northern Adirondack haroad, u
,rhtcb am the company as well president, rev
woris by way Of explanation, so far as my aiios0"
foundations are concerned, seem imperative
s,x wears ago. in company with Others purchased
large tract Of timber land IN the Northern Au'fon
dacks Mills were erected this railroad bult' anu
s,erous business inaugurated which IS still carrieu
o successfrllv From the outset in cutting umDcr
,rcat care has been taken to preserve tho Iores" "
trees are disturbed measuring less than ten or V"eo
inches I'm diameter. AS you may KNOW these ucoS az
IN families ranging from the infant seeding 10 'io
Giant of the woods. After the comparative! IL"
trees reaching our standard are removed iron se0
ior tho forest to the casual observer remains the
same Besides such is the power OF growth anu n-
PRODUCTION that the Seeding sprngins from the leu
~ atans IA the size of its progcnitOr In about heeh
rosrs Under these conditions there Is no havoc no
devastation, and timber Is secured for all lime We
mako no pretensions the sentimental hea ahuueN
IN in your article about preserving the forest lor Inc
benefit of our neighbors south OF u.s. but We haNo
enough regard for our interests to Keep inc ior
est intact. ,
The railroad has been powerful factor in opening
av into the depths of the Wilderness but has been
a most peaceable one No fires from its engines have
over nassed beyond its own right Of way limits. IL
&c IN no wise hostile TO the timber lands through when
# runs on the other hand, It Offers ample oppor-
hlnlt,es. by a road furnished with frstclass appoint
rnents for the tourist, the sportsman, the heai'-
seeker and whosoever will, TO gain access 10 rare TO
gions formerly accessible only to the tramp OF harny
nountaineer The wilderness IS stll mere III an IS
solitude and grandeur, but 1t may DC ehteeu anu o
joyed. ,, ,s, ,bo Destructive fires
arieng not infre1uently from summer campers anu
rrcsponsib tourists who have no interest NO
dayi recreation santa Clara Park has been lad OUT
MI, embraces 900 600 acres OF timber lands IN Ine
Northern Adrondacks and will be most careiulH
guarded against laTeS'ne'i ana aost Important
consderat On-we have only 10 say lhat uo NJ NJ,
from this region flows into the s. Iawrnce, tSe
ever we are just a. fully determined 10 pIcso''0 ~
forest as II It turned the other way Tod
last bur by no means least. Is the unwarrai, ~,
,rsinnaton of influence upon the Legislature IN re-
card 10 state lands in behalf of the extension on 'o
Northern Adirondack Railroad. You VIII not IA! nj
,cct when assured that the extension OF the NORTH
ern Adirondack Railroad wholly through priya1ee
property It would give me great pleasure ~ -
,o over this road In the person of chosen rcpfcS'
i've lie shall receive every attention and iull op1
nortuntv to investigate extensively all the dlsp1
pponts As he passes through the peaceful valley
ggarled by the "everlasting hills and notes inc va
roIs Industries and the comfortable homes OF nun
drode Of workmen as he compnhends the regulalons
for the promotion Of temperance law ana oruer, VIC
somewhat unique but most satisfactory arrangrmendd
r sahbath services throughout the line ~ me ~
e. &c hardly possible that he lift up his voice
Conformation or decide that this enterprise can ~
any manner work harm TO any portion OF our r""
mon country. o JVii-' iiN
Santa Clara ~ Y. July 12. 1850