New-York tribune., 1891-02-06
MR. BASsELIN AGAIN A WITNESS.
ANSWERING MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE
FOREST COMM ssION-MR CONNOLLY's

DISSATI SFACTION.
Albany. Feb 5.-The Committee on Public Lands
and Forestry continued IT. invest cation Of the forest
preserve matter tonight Wilnm II. Sanger, Of the
Controllers Office still thc stand. lie said no
convey vance made by the Attorney General under
the appraisal put in evidence last night Al the STATE
tax sale held last December the largest amount OF
land was bid off 10y Henry Patton. he should say
Patton bid Oh between 10000 and 100000 acres.
The State bid in little land. not than 5000 acres
new acreage. Mr.. Adams asked what estimate Mr..
Sanger would put the lands desired by the Everton
Company based upon what lie had heard from trust
worthy persons.
Mr.. sanger said he had no personal knowledge Of
the land. but he had heard 1t worth 4 por acre.
The committee ruled TO allow the evidence t. stand
spite of Mr. Fieros objection that it WAS hcar'ay.
Mr. r1cro then began TO cross-examine Mr. sanger.
The latter said the why IN" Controller had taken
no action in the matter because hc had waited To-
learn what the exterior lines Of the state Adirondack.
Park were 10 be-
During the discussion between the counsel Mr..
Ficro said nat what he wanted t. show that an
exchange had not been made because the appraisal was
less favorable TO the state than the original PROPOSE
ton and therefore the Forestry Commission had abso
lutely refused 10 sanction the exchange.
Commissioner Bassclin called 10 the stand again.
and said That the meeting, Of the commission were
generally held in New York. aud that the minutes
were kept between the dat, Of the Ilurd proposition
for an exchange OF land and the Evcon proposition.
Three similar propositions had .bccn received, and all
had been refused. The reasons that guided the
mission in refusing these propositions and favoring
the Fverton Company that the last the only
one that favorable to the state, ard when that
was received the Governors message had advocated
the formation Of state Park. What decided the
witness in favor Of the proposition The converse
ton he had had with the Attorneys General, in which
the latter said it was desirable to make exchanges
in order that the state might acquire much land
a. possible Witness had put in bills for expense,
when he had gone into the woods solely on official
business He could not swear he ever put in
more than two bill, for expenses but he had Ger
sometimes he combined pleasure with business, and
then he did not think it right 10 put in bin when he
had not gone solely on Official business. Warden Cor
man had been appointed on his motion.
Mr. Adams then Questioned MI. Bassclin minutely
as 10 the records Of the oice-hOw they were kept.
how suits were begun against trespaSsers. etc, his
onestions being desg gncd to show the aAlty in the
husuess methods and regulations Of the Commission.
Mir Adams asked why tlc Commission had not pur-
chased lands with the 10000 appropriated by the
legislature last year for the purchase of lands within
the forest preserve at Sl2J per acre.
Mr. Basselu said the COmns sslOn mad been too
busy and besides it seemed unvi-e, as long rs the
gi.iature Lad under consideration proposition u
establish a state park, and land purchased might have
10 be exchanged.
that he seemed ignorant Of the duties OF his Office
as 10 lands the conduct Of the business, etc.
Mr. BaSscln asked In what respect he had shown
This Ignorance iIe had fattered himself that he had
answered all question, prope.ly and ntcilisent!y.
After some further questioning. VIZ; connolly said he
must in candOr that Mr.. Basscllns answers were
far from satisfactory Ia him. -
The committee then adjourned until next Tuesday