New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-09
THE PALISADES.
short session

The most Interesting part Of Governor Wer'Ss
message 10 the NcwJerscy Legislature Is that
relating 10 the progressive destruction 81 lhe
Palisades and the duty Of stopping H. We p'-
llrvc also that other matter OF public con
Germ considered in the Governors message Is 80
important rs thIs Popular opinion may not YET
be- fully aroused 10 the magnitude OF me loss
which will fall not on Ncw-.Icrsey alone nor
only ON New.IeIsey and New-iork but In
real sense aud increasingly Oh the whole coun-
fry if means are not provided by law for So
curiug , majestic aud beautiful endowment of
Nature from spoaiion. And yet 1t has been
encouraging 10 note a rapid development Of pub
IL, sentiment on this subject within the last six
months which Governor Wcrs's impressive NJ
icrnnccs can scarcely fail To stimulate" 80 taf
- influential citizens Of New.Ierscy bav" found
opporiunliy 10 Indicate their views they seem
ro realize the obligation which rests upon The
STATE aud the urgent need " prompt action
They feel that morally New,Jersey holds the
Palisades in trust and ought 10 acknowledge
the responsibility la forms Of law.
Governor Wrrts Il not disposed 10 favor The
conversion ~ the Palisades into a public park.
regarding so large and costly an undertaking rs
unnecessary. He thinks that IA strict application
II The riparian laws. amended III some partlc'
ulars would afford sufficient safeguards. In con-
junction with limited acquisitions of land by
agreement with individuals or by The right or
eminent domain lie says that quarrylng opera
lions would be- Improbable excepting FOR the
easy access 10 III" foot ~ The Palisades ana III"
cheap transportation facilities which III" river
furnishes. anl that consequently II these a1van-
iagcs were withheld the blasting would stop.
The State. Of course owns all the riparian lands
along the Palisades of which 1t has not made
specific grants. AMI n large part Of the frontage
now occupied under leases can b" rcacquirrd by
cancellation. The Governor proposes the ap-
poiniment Of n commission 10 arrange such pur-
cllases or exchanges may be found necessary
10 supplement the results aiiaiuahle under the
operation Of the riparian laws and he thinks
that a more elaborate scheme than this Is not
required 1t * understood that he has prepared
"A bll To- meet the cxgency and will try 10 have
ii passed
Governor Werts has served with distinction
on the bench. and doubtless his knowledge of
the laws which he wishes 10 invoke for the pro-
lection of the Palisades is complete and accu-
rate II Is satisfaction 10 have his high au-
ihority for the statement that So large meas
IRE Of security can be- so readily and cheaply
obtained But with due respect for his judy
mcni il seems To Us that his plan does not avoid
all risk. II 1t Is true. seems probable, that
The quarry men would temporarily stop their
operations Oh losing their present transportation
facilities. II il not certain that at some time
hereafter the development Of inland communca-
tons may not enable them 10 make different
arrangements profitable. Capital is extremely
expert in serving lis own purposes, and not
easily baieI. The Commonwealth " New
Jersey Is in very easy financial circumstances
and has large credit. II can well afford 10 com.
pletc the guarantee Of security against vsndals
which Governor Werts proposes by the adop-
ton Of broader plan. II may not be- neces-
sary or practicable to convert the Palisades and
their retrcaing slope into public preserve,
unique and superb In character aud extent. But
the State should not restrict itself to PROPOSE
ton which on the face OF it seems scarcely ade
Quaic. until thorough examination has estab-
liShcd lis suficiency.