New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-05-29
lature had steadily rejected these measures. tn
showed the intent of the Legislature.

lature mad steadily rejected THESE measures. ms
showed the intent of the Legislature.
1T is very unfortunate, said Mr.. Shoemaker,
that the Attorney General has felt constrained
to take this attitude of hostility to this road when
he has before given the opinion that this Land
Board has the right to grant authority to railways
to build lines across State lands. His last opin-
ion, in my opinion, is unaccountable. This road
is opposed only by the Delaware and Hudson.
IL came here to-day" said Warner Miller, as
chairman of the citizens committee of HerlSimer
County. We earnestly favor the granting of this
application. The ground that / have always
taken is that the State should purchase these
lands, and then by scientific forestry derive an
income from them. But the Legislature, unfor
tunately could never be persuaded to make a
sufficient appropriation to buy these lands. Now,
what do you propose to do? You are advised to
refuse to permit of the construction of railways
in the Adirondack region and the Forestry Com
mission is also advised to the same e1ect; that ls
you refuse to permit of these lands being used
by any one and you refuse TO buy them IL seems
to me that if you thus act you will do a great in
Justice to thousands of citizens OF this State who
own forest lands and desire to get out the TIM
ber."
Ex-Speaker Hustled said, In substance: al drew
up the law of 1855, in relation to the State
forest lands, and l drew it up in company with
Darwin Il. James, Professor Sargent, and others
interested in forest preservation. 1t met with
opposition at first from the Northern New York
members upon the ground that 1t would prohibit
|
took out of it everything which could be inter
preted as forbiddng the construction of railways
The bill passed with that understanding l can
Testify that the Legislature has never yet passed
an act understanding that it prohibited the con-
struction of railways in the Adirondacks."
Senator Erwin said he In Albany to rep
resent residents of st. Lawrence and Franklin
Counties who favored the application Il was
member Of the Legislature in 1885," he added,
land / can testify that IL was the understanding
that the Forestry act did not prohibit the con-
structiOn of railways"
Mr.. Rosendale said that the Forest Commission
had instructed him its counsel TO bring suits
against any railway which might enter upon the
possession of the States land. Mr.. Rosendale
then forciblv argued that no State board had the
right to grant permission 10 any railroad to cross
the States forest lands
The State Board of Land Commissioners then
went into executive session. and by unani-
NOUS vote rejected the application of the
Adirondack and st. Lawrence Mr.. Sprague, the
counsel of that road rendered 50, 600 in payment Of
the lands. This was done as a basis for con-
demnation suit in the courts The Adirondack and
st. Lawrence, he said, would now appeal to the
courts TO grant it the right of way over the State
forest lands despite the Land Boards decision.
Warner Miller said Or. Webb will build his
railway, despite this decision of the Board Of Land
Commissioners. He is in earnest, and he can get
across the Adirondack wilderness by making few
circuits without touching the State land"