New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-31
THE IDIPONDiCK PARK.

The bill which has been drawn Oh lines Sng-
pp.tod bv Governor Flower and was Yesterday
introduced in The Legislature providing for The
consolidation of the Forest and Dairy com
missions into a Department Of Agriculture, has
Apparently some good features and ought not
IN he hastily condemned. No doubt il is Gaze
fully framed TO harmonic with the supposed
po}itieal interests of the Democratic 'ed"cIN'
but so is every other measure sure 70 be- "i''
present conditions. and this mere iaN Is u"
sufficient reason for cOndcmnng bi!I "'''
RIGHT. That part Of this consolidation scheme
which mos, Interests us j. IT'S provisions re-
lating f. the Adroniad; Park. "ove'noi
Flower has crinced 4 pral|eworhy concern 10y
thc preservation &c tho North N0,d' has m"u'
= p,ls nal investigation OF their condition. III"
considered various plans for seeming ana man
tanning a la'ge state preserve. HIS opi"''">
an tbc subject are therefore entitled - respect
fl treatment. and when he end' ayor> :" MAKE
them the basis Of legislation the specific bilI
hy mean, Of which he hopes t. accomplish ms
design. should be carefully and cardldly DIS
.cuS,,d
10 ono point only "" now desire -
call a,teution-namcly the folly OF proceed
ing So slowly with this urgent business oil ioi''.
preservation a. 10 increase lis diihcuI'ies anu
50 incur a gave I>k Of ultimate failure. II
is announced on appar,n tly good authority 'na'
the state can make contracts with CLUBS OWL
mo nearly GOO 600 acres of forest land within
tbo lines Of the projected pall, which VIII Sc
cure - the public perpetually the main objects
that an exclusive state preserve could accom-
nli>b PERHAPS 400. 600 acres in addition could
i. .coui,cl Ly the state in exchange for land
now owned by it outside the park limits. Inc
state already owns more than oOo'ooo
acres within the lines. 50 that the TWO opera
tons would insure tho protection oil nearly
900. 900 acres from serious injury, ana 10
the same extent preserve the conditions upon
which at point, near and remote, the common
welfare largely depends. But If these things
are done there will still remain in private pos
session about | 200. 900 acres Of forest land
the protection OF which is deemed exceedingly
desirable and which the State must acquire
or control in order 20 carry out the park proJ-
cct. The pIc.cryatiOn OF these properties may
proye t. be the most embarrassing part OF the
business, and upon the action OF the state with
regard to them NAV depend the success OF the
whole forestry movement OF the last few years.
Here. therefore, is the point where liberal
| and intelligent treatment i most urgently de-
handed. The sum of $500, 900 To $500, 900
could be expended annually. 1t is believed, to
great advantage in acquiring this timber land,
now owned by individuals and III constant dan
| ger of being denuded. either after cOndcmna-
ton proceedings or by negotiation. IL was the
original intention 10 authorize and provide for
such purchases. but at this point political con-
siderations were brought TO bear upon the bill.
| II was suimiSed that an appropriation OF this
amount by increasing the tax levy might sub
icct the authors and through them the Demo
cratic party, TO injurious criticism, and there
fole it was resolved to prolong the parsimonious
policy which has already proved exceedingly
Icypcnsiye At Just this point, We believe, the
IGovelnor and his advisers have made a serious
mistake This state is rich, prosperous and
practicallv ont of debt. Ii can far better af-
| ford to spend the sum proposed for the in
Idispcnsablc object Of acquiring forest territory
than TO run the risk of discovering few years
hence that n far larger sum will not avail.
The interests involved are Of enormous mag
nitudc, and the expenditure which they de-
mand is minute in comparison. We urge the
policy of prompt acquisition within the lines
Of the projected park, and the appropriation
of the IN Moderate sum which the Forest Com
mi s,ioncrs believe that they can spend adyan-
tageously in this way.