New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-17
TROUBLESOME COMMISSIONS
A DEMAND THAT AsTOUNDs THE LEGls-
LATCRE.
cool, REQUEST FOR $4,000 FOR ADVICE AS TO
STATE RIsONs-READJrsTlNG SAhAhiES-
FOREST PRESERVATION.



lFRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENCE OF THE TRIBUNE!
Albany Feb. Ex-Governor Morton is having oao
fortune with two Of the State commissions VINO"
were organized by hm-the state Prison Non'''''
s,on and the Fish Game and Forestry Commission
The first the State Prison Commission. seeks 10
oLo itself costly body and the second. In us own
,n,eres, and that of the State. is demanding that
II be changed in character. ana that 'hefe NC ~
distribution OF its executive powers
The State Prison Commission OF eight memoe'S'
came into office only last June. 1t was to be
- ooror,,cal hody Its eight members were
nat 70 receive any pay: only travelling expenses 70
tho amount OF $500 But the members OF the Noi"
mission already have bill before the hesis'a'ui
concentrating s45 900 for their support anu "'s W
receive $40 a day for their services. lha' "ou'u "
g $50 a year II they make affidavit that IN an
indirect way they constantly attehui'6 "e''
,nos Whatever they are to receive, their oehan'
Tor a, 600 has astounded the Legislature senator
1Jumnhrey of Warsaw. asked William j. Moh'a! me-
ono of the Prison Commission. some ugi! qu's'
about the Commission and It's royal IDEAS "s' "e'N
=, committee meeting Why" said Senator
rumphrey this Commission was mercy 10 oe an
advisory one; to suggest TO the Legislature anu Vi"
c,,nar,ntendent OF Prisons certain ways OF hanas-
ing the State prisons and reformatories me "'a'
taxpayers would be amazed at the ,oea Vi pa!
s45 900 for advice in regard TO the mA'ase" "
their State prisons -, .4o
% .h pr,so, Commission TO obtain a big appropfia-
.,o Tor uself The Prison Commission has Illus
trated in the first year OF Its existencs the e' "a
the creation Of State Commissions
The State Fish. Game and Forestry Co'"''
established last spring. is in the throes Oh i.o'
eanization as already stated for so'he NM
tbsre has been dissatisfaction among the fnehDe's
OF the Commission because OF the ineauai''s oe
tween the salary OF the president ana ,"a' VI VIC
other members OF the Commission ~ ~ AS'e
ny the latter that although the presiueh' - sup
Dose0 70 be the executive officer OF the Commits
s,on h,s added duties as such not suf1cleht 10
warrant the difference OF $500 In salary. ne s''S
e. 600 a wear and they get 1900 year The COM
mission as 1t now exists. Is made UP as roho"S'
President Barnet F. Davis, OF Palmyra Coih'S
sioners Edward Thompson OF Worthwhile; "ihu"
p Weed OF Potsdam; Henry II. Lyman, OF Os-
weeo. Charles H. Babcock OF Rochester. The vary
Ing opinions existing between these gentlemen NOT
only caused friction In Strengthening out the Com
missions financial accounts. Inherited from DEM
ocratic Commission, but has prevented the accom-
pllshmen, OF much that was expected o, the Com
mission. An attempt to straighten out the uil-
ferences and make the Commission more eficient
has eliminated in the Introduction OF a bill In
both branches OF the Legislature. reducing the
salary OF Mr. Davis from 5000 to $500. and in
creasng the salary OF the other four Commissioners
from 81 900 and an allowance Of $500 for expenses
! to 81 900 and $500 for expenses.
! If q vi
! ARRANGEMENT. hut at present he is holding out
against it, and 1t 10 left for the Legislature to de-
eide as 10 the Justice OF the redistribution Of the
salaries OF the Commission. By the provisions OF
the bill the present secretary Mr. Mitchell Is egs-
lated out OF Office and his place filed by one OF the
Commissioners without extra remuneration
| The Commission which last year purchased OF
W. Seward Webb $1,000 OF land for 100000, and
thus initiated the idea OF a State Park. has just
! made the following interesting recommendations 10
the Legislature concerning the purchase of lands
| by the State:
We would again respectfully, ask that your hon
orable body take some favorable action TO provide
for the purchase Of forest lands In the Adirondack
and Catskill region. We do not deem It necessary
| to rehearse here the many arguments in favor OF
forest preservation. We assume that you are al
papers hrDasho1t this State have set forth the
various reasons without dissenting editorial. From
mand that the Legislature shall recognize the i'm
! portance OF this question by making yearly appro-
Of the Adirondack and Ca,skli parks shall be in.
| cluded In the Forest Preserve.
nary Items OF the yearly budget and emitted to
preference They are not an expenditure but an in
lash az any time. While the state is expendins
millions each year for which 1t has nothing tangible
always be nrst-cass asset. and at the same time
protect the vast interests which are dependent on
for Deepening our canals it is Certainly right and
absolutely Imperative that the Legislature appro-
(
water supply. similar idea suggests Itself In re-
| lation 10 the constant expenditures for dredging
and deepening the Hudson River. and for the con-
struction of dams TO assist the decreasing energy
| OF the water wheels throughout the state
A large amount OF good forest land is now offered
] 10 the State at a very low figure. II not purchased
! soon these offers will be Withdrawn. Much Of this
land can be bought now for 81 so per acre The
! spruce md hemock have been removed from these
lands but the hard woods and the young conifers re.
main Their function as a protective forest Is not
F., seriously impaired. -.
! The State Is a joint owner In large amount OF