New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-08-27
UiT TER BESINTS PROTEST.

Walter Bosant the wellknown English
novelist who has been making the tour OF this
country. protests against the lll-tratment 10
which the scenery between Albany and Buffalo
is subjected. lie first premises that 1t Is lovely
scenery. "IIcrc one passes" he writes, :" be-
side the river. and beyond the river are Gins
Of brown,tone covered with hanging woods
In the hollow of the valley there are occasional
falmhcu,cS; the river winds about broad or
nmrow. deep or shallow the train passes VII
lagos with mills small towns with factories ;
between them the river runs: the hills close
in and recede the fields stretch ont ana the
rocks and woods pass and rcpaSs." Those VINO
ore familiar with the landscape which unwinds
Ike a many -coored ribbon rs one glides
through picturesque New York from Albany
70 Buffalo in railroad car will appreciate Mr.
Bcsant's enjoyment of II and echo the protest
which he files against those who dciace this
h,yclv and varied scenery with protludng adj
yclfiSing signs of patent goods, wares ana
merchandise. alt is n rcStful landscape" he
200, on to remark one can lie back in the
carriage and drink it in peacefully. But it is
spoiled by one thing Oh. ! know that we
must not throw stones the same horrible, vile,
hidcouS thing prevails with us. All along
there are huge al advertisements on boards"
What is true OF the scenery between Albany
and Buffalo is equally true of the scenery IN
other part, of our State, especially between
Albany and New York and among the fast
ncsscs of the Catskills. The trail of the OBJ
trudng advertising signs is over it all. They
are PAINTED on rocks. they are nailed on trees,
they hang from bridges, they are set up on
rude casols in the green pastures ana beside
the still waters until the traveller whose vision
they aSsail feels like eXcaming with Words
worth. THE world is too much with u.s."
The country boy complained after his first
visit to town that he couldn't see tho city for
the houses Nowadays it is difficult TO see the
country for the advertising signs. Mr.. Bcsant
notes. in passing that England is afflicted with
the same nuisance; but he does not state
whether England has law, rs Ncw-l Ork has
which has only TO be enforced TO put an end
70 the nuisance. TIE TRIBUNE has taken
frequent occasion to direct tho attention of
whom il may concern to the law in question.
But. although the public Indignation at the
prevalence Of tho signs continues, the law
would seem % be dead letter. II was passed
in 1877. and is entitled 4" An act for the
more cfcctml prevention of wanton and ma
lclous mischief, and to prevent the dcfacc-
ment of natural scenery" Each offence is
punishable by fine not exceeding $3.50, or
by Imprisonment not exceeding six months, or
by both fine and Imprisonment.
The lovers of Naturc-of Nature unadorncd
by advertising SignS-might form an asSocia-
ton looking to the enforcement Of this public
spirited law. Have not tho hills and valleys
certain inalcnable rights which advertising
signs are bound to respect? If the greatest
good of tho greatest number is the rule 10
which everybody is bound TO conform who be-
levcs in our system Of government, why should
the general public delight in the landscape be
seriously intcrfcrcd with for the benefit of
the few?