New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-06
MR., COLVIN'S SOLEMN JOKE.
HIS SCHEME FOR THE EMPLOYMENT
OF STATE CONvICTS.
HE PROPOSES TO BUILD A BOULEVARD ALONG
THE EASTERN SHORE or LAKE GEORGE.
WHERE FELoNs WILL NOT BE COM
PETING WITH HONEST LABOREF

THE EASTERN SHORE OF LAKE GEoRGE'
| WHERE rELoNs WILL NOT BE COM
PETING WITH HONEST LABORERs.
Albany Jan. (SpeciaD-What to do with the
convcts Of the State after January J. 1897. is a
question to which members of the Senate ana
Assembly already giving their attention. After
that date such prisoners cannot be put at work
the product of which is sold TO private persons or
corporations. Senator Childs OH the first day OF
the session introduced bill for the construction
OF State highway from Sag HarDor. l.. L. TO
Brooklyn. and from New-Yorll City to Buffalo. by
the convicts in the county penitentiaries. State
Treasurer Addison Il. Colvln has plan, which he
earnestly advocates. for giving employment TO in
mates of State prisons. This is for the building
of a magnificent broad boulevard along the east
shore of Lake George. Those who are familiar
with that sheet of water will suppose that 1t Is
the western shore which Is meant, but this is not
So Private enterprise IS likely soon to build a
road along this western shore. where the natural
difficulties to be encountered nconsiderable.
In fact. such a project is in contemplation and Is
likely to be carried out in few years.
WHY THE EASTERN SHORE IS CHOSEN.
The eastern shore. however. is rocky. steep and
mountainous. In many places the hills rise
abruptly out OF the water. In fact this is just
the place where nature intended there should he
no road and for this reason. Mr.. Colvin believes
the State should build His paradoxcal posi-
ton he thus explains
In the first place. as private capital is to lay
ont good road on the western shore. there Is no
be one on the rocky lodges OF the other sac VI
the lake. the State will have to build 1T. The new
employed at work which will bring them into com
petition with free labor Now. II roads are built
and denonnce the act as depriving them OF en-
poyment But no such protest would be MADE made, IL IL
capital would never think of undertaking that
enterprise so there would be no interference with
f~a. laha IN no
bin for road from Sag HarbSr l. L. to a BIna1o
men. and that would never do.
Mr. Colvin thinks that his project is strongly
favored by the people Of the Lake George coun-
try. The state Treasurer further explained his
ideas follows
1t would be a magnificent site for such drive
way There isn't any finer scenery in the whoIe
country than have az Lake George. That east
could be- begun at Caldwell at the head OF the lake.
where a temporary prison could be built. The lake
length of the road if it were made nearly straight
TO do this would make 1t necessary to bridge over
nelling | should favor a boulevard thirty feet
wide. II would not only be for the pleasure ana
delight to the thousands Of persons who annually
Lake George from other parts or the
State and country.
PLANS FOR \ STATE PARK
plank road leads from Glens Falls to the head
Of the lake At the foot the boulevard would strike
could also buy the site Of Fort Tconderosa and
keep it as a kind Of park The State already owns
All the islands in the lake but seven and it would
be- particularly appropriate to have II acquire the
east shore also II wouldn't cost anything. ! guar
the driveway. one nrm in Giens Falls. which
owns three-quarters Of a mile OF the water 'front.'
opposite Bolton. has already offered to give the
state strip along the shore. and other owners OF
land would questiOnIby do the same
The rock 10 be- found the east shore makes the
best possible roads when crushed II has been
tested on the 'hOroughfare between Callwell anu
WarrensburC a distance OF six miles. This road
hardens with time and makes an ideal drive. ON
the proposed boulevard no foundation would be
needed. The only expense besides tho care ana
food Of tho prisoners would b. the explosives needed
for blasting The conylcts could do all the drilling
hy hand | know that experiment was made
AZ Dannemord Prison with road-building by con-
Nictg. but the material used there turned 10 dust
under use while aOnS Lake George the rock would
make hard. even surface
Mr.. Iathrop the Superintendent 81 Prisons OBJ
jecfs 20 the employment OF convicts on roads on
account OF the un-ightnness Well We've got 10 do
something with the men, ana rOai-OuldlnG seems
% De- the only work for them. The citizens about
Lake George willing to stand the sight Of con-
Vicis work. but. as matter OF fact, there is
another advantage In having them employed in
rugged. spars.ly populated region. After they had
mad. a start they would bc IN wilderness. hidden
from the eyes ~ all save those who passed in +,
boats. They would Doe almost as private AS in
prison. They would enjoy their labor.
caldwell is only ABOUT fifty miles from Clinton /
Prison so II would be easy transport the con- :
Victs Their, I'm he spring and back In the fall. or
course. work could be- done in the winter.
men. - To insure thoroughly artistic treat. /
mont Of tho boulevard BESIDES some Of the skilled /,
cnnvcts could make statuary and other sculptures
10 adOrn the roadside.