New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-15
THE DEFENCE OF THE FORESTS.

The adoption by tie Constitutional Conven-
ton. after careful discussion and without a
negative vote OF the Forest Preservation amend
ment Is. on the whole. exceedingly SATISFACTORY
II suggests IL Is true. the unwecome thought
that II is still necessary 10 provide In the fuhd;'-
mental law for restraining the possible folly or
the people and their representatives III the Legs
lature But 1t Is the duty OF Cohs'l'u''on'i
Convention 10 consider the state or society Ior
which it acts. and not that ideal state toward
which we hope society Is advancing. lheo'
retically the argument Is strong one mat the
organic law ought not TO concern Itself WIN
such details But the practical fact Is That
through woful ignorance and Indifference the
superb forest endowment OF This State mas Deeii
shomefully wasted, and that what remains Of II
Is still in grave danger. The truth. moreover
has been established that not merely the haturai
charm Of the North Woods Is In peril. but mat
the permanent welfare Of the State Is In a great
degree involved In the treatment of the forests
from this time forward. az II has been seriously
impaired by their treatment in the past.
Opponcnts OF the amendment have also main
famed that II was practicable. not only to derive
a considerable revenue from the Adirondack
increase its value We are not prepared TO say
that this Judgment Is erroneous. 1t IL set forth
with characteristic force In the current number
Of "Garden and Forest" which brings wide
knowledge and perfect sincerity 10 the discus
sion Of every subject within Its field. bm'' on
the other hand. many sagacious and experienced
observers declare that the conditions which
Nature has established IN the North WOODS are
Of SO unusual q kind as 10 forbid the employ
ment there Of forest methods when elsewhere
are successfully applied. In order, however I'D
support the amendment providing that me ior-
est lands Of the State shall be kept wild. that
they shall not be leased. sold or exchanged or
denuded to any extent whatsoever OF the timber
on Them II IS not necessary IA IL seems I'D u.s.
TO accept unrescrvedly either OF these opinions
concerning forest cultivation. The obvious ana
dlsuuieing fact Is that the forests are being de-
stroyed. and the coinoidcnt truth is that The
State ought TO save such parts of them rs II
now owns or NAV hereafter be- able 10 acquire.
I'nhappily. under any management when i
likely To be established by legislative enactment
there are great possibilities Of folly ana OF
wrong Experience proved this long ago. anu
the accusations just brought against some OF the
officials. though not yet confirmed serve III FEAST
10 reinforce familiar lesson
The people Of This State can well AFFORD Tor
the time being. 70 gno"c the question or sc!eh-
tilc forest culture and 10 declare that not an
other tree shall be- cut on their wooded domain
Such prohibition could certainly work no harm
worth considering for years 10 come. By ID"
time another Constitutional Convention assem-
blcs the whole subject VIII be better under
stood. and a stronger public opinion VIII INSIST
upon the course which then seems Jrdicl"hS
Meanwhile. II IL exceedingly gratifying 10 record
the fact that a large number Of citizens OF Sn
perlor Influence In their several communities
have devoted much time 10 n discussion of lhiS
matter have evnccd n cordial appreciation az
It's Importance and by their action hav" NJ least
sgnided an honest purpose 10 defend II great
possession against encroachmrni. We brIlcv"
that they have decided wisely md we sincerely
hope the people will ratify their Judgment