New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-19
TO SAVE THE PALISA DES.
THE JOINT COMMISSION HAS COMPLETED
ITS LABORS.
CONGRESS WILL. BE ASKED TO CONVERT TIL
PALISADES AND ADJOINING LANDS INTO
NATIONAL. PARK-THE PROPERTY AZ

PALISADES AND ADJOINING LANDS lNiO
NATIONAL PARK-THE PROPERTY AZ
FEcrEp AND TERMS OF THE BILL.
The members Of the Joint Palisades Commission
vino were appointed respectively by Governor Nor
ton OF New-York and Governor Werts. or New
Jersey, have completed their laDors ana nave
framed bills which will be presented respectively
for Congress and the Legislatures OF the two
States asking for the setting apart OF largo tract
of land as a military and National park. In order
that the Palisades may be preserved from demol-
ton
Tho hin TO be introduced into Congress provides
that for the purpose Of preserving securing and ac-
curing for the military. naval and other National
purposes of the United States certain lands be set
aside as the Palisades National Military Park. The
general scheme Of the legislation proposed follows
closely that adopted In the instances OF the Ma
tional parks at Chickamauga and Gettysburg.
The ACQUISITION Of the land and property Is to be
under the charge Of six Commissioners, VINO are
10 be appointed by the President and confirmed by
The Tinted States ~enate They to have power
TO negotiate for the purchase of the land and they
are 10 report from time to time TO the secretary
of the Interior When the Commissioners nave
recommended the acquisition OF certain lands the
Secretary of the Interior is empowered TO procure
the land either by private contract or by con-
demnation. The term OF office OF the Commission
crs is fixed at five years.
When the title TO any parcel OF land which has
been procured in accordance with the terms OF the
act has been declared perfect by the Attorney-Gen-
eral Of the United States the Commissioners are
TO take possession of it, They are to open ana lay
out the roads: provide open spaces for camps, ma
noeuvres and other purposes; TO guard and protect
the trees, shrubs. buildings. monuments cTHs' pers'
winter fronts and all other objects upon the park.
For the purpose Of accomplishing these acts they
arc empowered to employ competent engineers
and pay for them out OF the appropriation. In
he
carry ont the purpose the act including the pur-
chase and condemnation OF the land, marking the
boundaries making maps. and paying the expenses
OF the Commissioners. an appropriation OF s'UVV' IS
provided for
The act contains a special clause providing that
vandalism Of all kinds may be punished by fine
upon the conviction of the offenders before any
Justice of the Peace.
The property affected is follows:
Beginning in the township of Ridgehed. Bergen
of the Hudson River at point where the south line
OF the lands of Dupont & co. ntersect sucn Nigh
south line OF Dupont & Co.'S lands to lands OF one
Annet thence in lands TO the
Fort Lee and Hackensack Road thence northerly
with Hudson Terrace thence. northerly along the
line of Hudson Terrace into the township OF
tn" south side of Pasade-ave. to the point of its
With the on re the Se Ssser line
Sylvan-aye, and of the Boulevard INTO me town n
ships OF Palisade ana harrington anu 10 uht
dary line between the States of New-lork and
NeW-Jersey; thence northerly along the west line or
the continuation of said Boulevard in the state or
New York to the point Of the junction of said west
line with the north line or washington spring hodu
extended thence easterly along said north line In
It's devious courses TO point where SAID line eX-
tended intersects the high-water line OF the Hud-
son River. being the southerly line OF lands OF one
thence souihery along said high-water line TO the
point place of beginning. All lands piers. docks,
bulkheads and buildings, water and lands under
water, rights Of navigation and dockage and ripa-
ran rights are included in the reservation.
The acts to be submitted TO the Legislatures Of
New-Jersey and New-York provide that those
States shall cede to the General Government tho
Jurisdiction over the lands secured by the Commits
sion when the title shall have been perfected. Each
State however is retain concurrent Jurisdiction.
so far as civil and criminal process may be exc
cuted on the lands. except when such execution
would affect the real personal property OF the
United States. In return for this cession the Gov
eminent is to conserve the trees, cliffs and other
natural beauties of the Palisades and the militia
of both States to be permitted to the property
az a manoeuvring ground. Free access TO the park
is to be allowed to residents of both States. under
the rules OF the Commissioners.
The property thus set apart embraces the entire
length OF the Palisades and adjoining lands extend
ing from a few hundred yards to three-quarters Of
mile. In Its widest part the strip embraces an
unhroken forest.
The Commissioners from New-Jersey Henry
Thurston. Their New-York colleagues are Enoch
G Bell. Waldo G. Morse and J. James r. Croes.
Messrs Winton and Morse are now in Washington
with the bill, which will be presented in Congress
recess is reached.