Morning journal and courier., 1893-09-06
A PERTINENT PROTEST.

From One OF Our Most Distinguish.
ed Authors OF the Present Day.
Tothe Editor Of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
The distinguished author, Walter Be-
SAINT, who recently visited our city, may
have had New Haven and its suburbs In
view, as other places, when he wrote in
reprobation of the disfguring of America
scenery by huge billboards and other
mammoth advertising signs. In New Ha-
VEINS beautiful suburbs signs of this de-
scription abound to the great detriment of
the artistic and the beautiful. The fol-
lowing, from the New York Tribune's
editorial columns, 30 thoroughly meets
my appreciation that would like to have
the truths therein set forth widely read in
New Haven By means of your columns:
WALTER BEsANT's PROTEST.
"Walter Besant, the we'll known Eng
lish novelist, who has been making the
tour of this country, protests against the
ill-trestment to which the scenery between
Albany and Buffalo is subjected. He first
| premises that 1t is lovely scenery.
| "Here one passes" he writes, "beside the
river, aud beyond the river are
| cliffs of brownstone covered with
hanging woods. In the hollow of
the valley there are occasional
fsrmhouses; the river winds about broad
or narrow, deep or shallow; the train
passes villages with mills, small towns
with factories; between them the river
| runs; the hills close in and recede; the
i fields stretch out and the rocks aud woods
pass and repsss." Those who are familisr
with the landscape which unwinds like a
many colored ribbon as one glides through
picturesque New York from Albany to
Buffalo in railroad car will appreciate
Mr.. Besanfs enjoyment of it and echo the
protest which he files against those who
deface this lovely and varied scsnery with
protruding advertising signs of patent
gooda, wares and merchandise. at is a
restful landscape" he goes on to remark:
zone can lie back in the carriage and
drink 1t In peacefully. But it is spoiled
by one thing. Oh, know that we must
not throw stones; the same horrible, vile,
hideous thing prevails with us. ALI along
there are huge advertisements on boards y
What is true of the scenery between AL
bany and Buffalo is equally true of the
scenery In other parts of our state, espec
tally between Albany and New York and
among the Businesses of the Cstskills. The
trail of the obtruding advertising signs |,
/ WV ~ o'A AhCJ nio tdihtCu OA TOCks
they are nailed on trees, they hang from
bridges, they are set up on rude easels In
the green pastures and beside the etil
waters, until the traveller whose vision they
ssssil feels like exclaimiug with Words
worth, The world is too much with us.
The country boy complained after hi
first visit to town that he couldn't see tn,
city for the houses. Nowadays it Is diff
cult to see the country for the advertiser,
signs. Mr.. Besant notes, in passing, tina
England is afflicted with the same nui
sance; but he does not state whether Eng
land has a law, as New York has, which
has only to be enforced to put an end I,
| the nuisance. The Tribune has taken fire.
} quent occasion to direct the attention o
whom 1t may concern to the law in ques
ton. But, although the public indigns
, ton at the prevalence of the signs con
tinues, the law would seem to be dea,
letter. 1t was passed in 1877, and is en-
, titled can act for the more effectual pre-
! vention of wsnton and malicious mischief
and to prevent the defacement of naturs
scenery" Each offence is punishable by
fine not exceeding $3.50, or by imprison
ment not exceeding six months, or by bot
, | fine and imprisonment.
The lovers of nature-of nature uns
dorned by advertising signs-might fort
> an association looking to the enforcement
of this philosophical law. Have not tn
hills and valleys certain inslienable right
which advertising signs are bound to It
| spect3 If the greatest good of the creates
, | number is the rule to which everybody 1
l bound to conform who believes In our syl
tenn of government, why should the ger
eral public delight in the landscape be SCI
: iously interfered with for the benefit @
the fewF