New-York tribune., 1901-05-03
THE PALISADES SAFE.

The attempt 10 show that the New-Jersey
Legislature in pursuance of the plan to pre-
serve the Palisades, exceeded its constitutional
authority is not at all likely TO succeed. The
point which has been raised is that the State
is forbidden TO ALLEVIATE it's riparian rights; that
the act recently passed provided for such an
alienation; that II is therefore void and conse-
quently that the scheme devised by the joint
commission cannot be carried out. The reply
is that this is msstatement of facts mas
much no grant of riparian rights has been
made, the legislature having merely author
''iZed the New,Jersey commissioners TO acquire
"for the State the land now owned by private
individuals along the waterfront and hold II
lin trust for the people" Such is the view of
both the Riparian and the Palisades commits
sions and the public spirited citizens who have
been deYOtng much time and effort TO the I'M
dertaklng fear no interruption of their work
II Its obstinate adverSaries have been hoping
10 bring ii TO naught through an appeal 10 the
courts they will probably be disappointed
While the appropriation bills We're still under
discussion at Albany and Trenton The Tribune
did its full part in urging favorable action, and
If we have said little on the subject since the
victory was gained ii has only been because the
successful issue of a long endeavOr made many
other matters more important. 1t is a great
satisfaction TO believe that the last serious OBJ
stacle In the way OF the movement 10 preserve
the Palisades has been overcome and pleas
ure 10 recognize once more the service rendered
not only 10 the States Immediately concerned.
but 10 the whole country. by the men and
women identified with the enterprise. That
the task they assumed a difficult one is
proved by previous failures II required the
exercise of clear Judgment In the formulation
of a practical plan, a tactful management of
preliminary negotiations which everything
depended. and constant use of the arts of
persuasion. IT, moreover, AT the outset II was
safe 10 assume that public opinion would be
found on the right side when IL was most
needed. the fact remains that public opinion
had 10 be enlisted and induced TO declare itself.
The result is not only gratifying in itself, but
encouraging It supplies another illustration Of
the truth that intelligent, unselfish. persistent
effort In behalf Of an object which deserves to
be accomplished can usually be trusted 10
bring about its accomplishment. Similar ex-
periences are not infrequent. but they are less
fruitful Of new campaigns in the public interest
than they ought 10 be. Within n few years we
have several striking examples of what
can be done when the right forces are engaged
in this particular field of operations-the pro-
lection Of the works Of nature from the conse-
Quences Of greed and recklessness. Thus the
North Woods. which recently seemed TO be de-
voted to destruction. from year to year
coming more and more largely under the care
OF the State, and in all parts of the country
solicitude for the forests is constantly increas-
ing. In somewhat different sphere the same
influence OF public sentiment generated from
apparently feeble sources but assiduously cuti-
waited. is at work on the roads of various States,
and viii inevitably produce immense results
within a comparatively short space OF time.