The sun., 1890-01-21
srArs r1aK N rHs 1D1sonDAcra



ALBANY. Jan. 20.--The Governor trans
mitted this message to the Senate tonight:
"The portion OF northern New York known
a. the Adirondack has become great cum
mer and winter resort for persons seeking
pleasure or health, not only from our own
State but from other sections OF the Union, II
Ia rapidly becoming the nations pleasure
ground and sanitarium. The state now owns
a large portion OF this section which has been
placed undor the control OF the Forest Commits
sion. The present statutes seem to contemplate
the retaining OF all lands that come to the State
from tax sales as part OF n vast park. without
reference to quantity. quality, or locality; and
many parcels thus reserved are small and not
connected with the main body Of State lands
1T seems to me the limits within which
lands are to be retained by the State for this
purpose should be settled and defined, and
should include the wilder portion OF this
region covering mountains and lakes, at and
around tho headwaters OF the several rivers
that rise in that locality, including the Hud-
son River, and that oil the lands outside Of
these limlts shall be subject to sale; rs other
lands lands could % be % exchanged for wild and forest Forest
lands within the limits prescribed.
Considerable complaint mas been made that
tRges upon lands belonging to the state have
not been permitted to do SO. soc no reason
should not be leased at moderate rental for
such purposes. such occupants would have
an interest In preserving tho forests In nll
their beauty, and would be the best of fire
wardens and foresters. whilo the wilderness
would thus afford summer homo to persons
OF moderate means rs well as to the wealthy.
1t Is represented to me by those who are
familiar with the situation situation ;i AMI the needs
confidence that state Park. from nifty to sew
enty miles square, can be obtained by the state
In that region at comparatively triting ex-
pe1se and that when obtained 2bi1 II pdiCi9nsy
bio value and benefit to the whole country.
Personal inspection on my part last summer
of a portion OF the Adirondack region confirms.
in my. judgment tho desirability Gf Rome APP
proprinte legislation upon this subject. Sew
oral reasons are apparent why 1t is eXpedient
that somo independent Commission should
Investigate this matter and originate scheme
for the carrying out Of the suggestions herein
outlined, rather than the Forest Commission.
whose powers are already limited by statute,
and whose duties are confined to mere pres
ervaton OF the forests.
Il think the Adirondack forests, instead OF
being an expense and burden to the State, are
capable. under the liberal policy here suggest
ed. OF paying all expenses OF their preservation
the State. would therefore suggest the pro-
priety OF authorizing the appointment by the
Governor OF u Commis ssion to be composed OF
three or five public-spirited and well-informed
and its needs and having no adverse interests
twho shall serve without compensation. except
travelling and other necessary eXpensesl, to
investigate the whole subject and recommend
State Park in tho Adirondacks. and fix and de-
fine the limits thereof, and for the leasing Of
small parcels thereof for summer camps. cot
est lands within Its limits and make such
other recommendations as the Commission
may deem proper. DAVID b. HILL