New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-27

MAKES A RINGING REPLY
TO THE TRIBUNEs
QUERY.
Whatever may be the feeling In New-York or
elsewhere about the necessity of taking prompt ac-
ton to preserve the Palisades. there is no question
the sentiment in New-Jersey Among public
men and private citizens the feeling seems to be
unanimous that legislative action is mperatvely
required to secure to the people forever this mag
/ nifcent heritage OF nature
Here opinions from legislators:
Representative Stewart Of the With Congress Dis
trct: 81 believe 1t is a of the National
Government to take I'd beautify that interesting
locality and preserve II National work Inc
measure will be considered by the Naval Affairs
Committee and will probably be reported within
month. should say. 1t will have the solid support
of New-York we'll as New-Jersey in Congress
Assemblyman Hewitt, Hudson County: Il am
in favor of anything that will improve the condition
or increase the pleasure of the human family, WITH
out increasing their burdens
| Assemblyman Thorn Mercer County: IL am in
favor OF preserving the Palisades near as posi-
| BILE nature left them. | have not yet mace UP
my mind what idea I will favor but am inclined 10
| favor q State or National Park. with strong forts
batteries for the defence of the upper Hudson.
Assemb,yman Hoos, Hudson County: The PAN
sades the gratuity of nature to the State OF New
Jersey, should be preserved at all hazards. we
|
them. Laws must be passed to preserve them Tor
us and future generations No money could ever
replace them"
Assemblyman Ullman, Bergen County: Not hav-
| Ing the opportunity to give this matter close at
| tenton could not say anything definite, but
| from what l have heard l should think something
| should be done to protect the Palisades.
| Assemblyman RICHTER Morris County: In so far
| as am familiar with the subject should say tnat
| for the glory OF New-York and New-Jersey this
| most picturesque scene should be preserved In all
It's natural beauty and this should be done con-
Jointly by State and Nation As such scenery is so
rare to have despolled by man for the mere sake
| OF a few dollars seems radically wrong.
Assemblyman G. \. Reed, Somerset County: Ihey
are the most picturesque natural monument OH our
Eastern seaboard and should be sacredly pre-
served No effort should be omitted to accomplish
| that end"
Assemblvman H. w Gledhill. Passaic County:
| II am compelled say that l have not yet given
the matter sufficient consideration in detail to en-
| able me to say anything further than that be-
| lieve on general grounds, they should be pre-
| served"
Assemb.yman Tice, Middesex County: The
| question OF preserving the Palisades was one that
| Interested many of the members of the Legislature
of 1895. Senate bill No. 1856 being passed by vote
OF A. none in the negative. | am decidedly in favor
OF the State taking some action to preserve the
Palisades in their natural grandeur, and think that
the proper legislation would be to amend the r.
paran laws forbidding any lease grant of ripar-
| AN lands adjoining the Palisades except upon such
conditions and limitations as will insure their preser
| walton"
| Senator John =. Vreeand OF Norris County:
In my judgment the Palisades should, in some way
| be saved from sponation and DETACHMENT. Probably
| the best way to accomplish this would be TO pass
| the proposed bill creating there National PARK.
Assemblyman Parslow, Hudson County: AS
member OF the lower house OF the New-Jersey
| LEGISLATURE last winter voted for the act (Which
| became a law providing for Commissioners 10 con-
fer with like representatives OF the State of New
| York for the acquisition Of the Palisades OF the
Hudson River by the United States and making
| an appropriation therefor | still in hearty
| accord with this measure. and will do what can
| TO accomplish the desired end
Assemblyman Snyder. Monmouth County: i am
in favor OF preservation of the Palisades pro-
vidng it cost the two great States OF New
| York and New-Jersey too much money. THINK
| the plan OF making 1t National Park and also
military encampment good thing. if the people OF
the two States not deprived OF the free use oil
the grounds II the conditions are satisfactory, as
| above | Will lend my support to the measure 10
| the best of my ability.
Senator johnson. Bergen County THE last Re
publican Convention OF ths county declared In iavo'
Of legislation for the preservation OF the Palisades
and for the prevention Of the further pollution OF
the Passlc River two subjects in which the people
! OF Bergen County vitality Interested.
The Palisades plateau. is well known extends
from the Hudson County line northery about thir-
teen miles to the NcwYork state line, forming the
eastern boundary of Bergen County. and also con-
| tnues about miles further in New-Nork state
For width of a mile or more the whole distance Is
with a few open spaces vast forest. Many people
will be surprised learn that there is such an ex-
tensive tract of wooded land almost within sight OF
tn. city Of New-York. The State biologists report
shows that 80 per cent of this of about l2oD
|
esauo views and in landscapes Of great interest and
beauty. but the browning feature is what is known
as the edge of the Palisades or Steep Rocks, which
present the appearance OF an almost perpendicular
wall of from 20 10 feet in height, overlooking
| the Hudson and from which there is most eN-
tensive and wonderful view.
There are no objects Of natural scenery IN ms
par, OF the country grand and imposing as the
! great cliff which forms the Palisades range Viewed
from below, this wall OF rock rises IN magnificent
s1lidity ana grandeur.
Several years ago the late John d; Sherwood a
citizen OF EngewOod. published series u articles
In the local paper advocating the establishment or
great PARK on the Pasaa5 in oTd snd ha ", b
the present and future generations Nothing came
vov.d made it impracicable for thu community in
which hc lived to acqr.e these lands and II seemea
subject in the State at large.
Subsequently Mr. William Walter Phelps. him
ing the time when private interest would lead to
III Of 1se ros lands and Te 9 9rmnT the
! front Of tae Steep Rocks, attempted 10 make an
Palisades, who should mutually agree to hold and
dispose OF their lands upon certain restrictions In
order prevent the DETACHMENT Of the natural
scenery. This project, which was engaging his at
tention up the time of his last Illness, was tenn
porarily interrupted by his death. but was after
| ward taken W by his executors. one OF waOin, MI
William Z Bond. who has very accurate and ex-
tensive acquaintance with the Palsade lands dld
succeed in enlisting a number OF the landowners
the plan OF placing uniform restrictions on their
proDertes Such methods OF preserving the beau
ties of both the plateau and the escarpment OF the
! Palisades greatly to be commended. II may be
that only protection, after all that VII be OBJ
tainabe Will be such as the intelligent ana broad
minded owners OF these mountain lands VIII be
able to secure by their personal efforts.
The cutlery Of Indignation provoked by the eX-
tensive quarry.ng OF stone from the face of these
rocks has awakened a new interest in the subject
| The matter was most admirably brought to the at
tention OF the people by Governor Werts in his last
annual message whore considerable length and
with great clearness ne depicted the natural beauty
OF the Palisades and the great danger 10 wren raey