New-York tribune., 1907-01-24
STATE PARK ASSURED.
BILL PASSED By SENATE.
Letch7COrth Gift Accepted an Terms
.1ged Donor Desired.
rRr Tel.granh 70 The Tribune. I


park was passed to-day in exactly the shape
required by Mr.. Letchworth. The test vote came
on an amendment 10 the bill offered by Senator
Armstrong. embodyfng precisely the feature
which he advocated yesterday in the meeting Of
the Senate Finance Committee. For this Sen
atOrs Armstrong. Grady. Mullaney. Ackroyd and
Hinman voted. Senator Hinman took that posi-
tion because he believed the passage Of the bill
constituted an inviolable contract giving per
petuai custody Of the property to the American
Scenic and Historic Preservation Society. At
tempts were made to delay consideration Of the
bin, but Senator Raines interposed, and Senator
Armstrong favored immediate action.
Opposition to the scenic society's custody Of
The public park had vanished from Senator Arm
stnOngs arguments, hut he maintained that the
clause requiring action by tho Supreme Court
IA vanste the society's administration was bad
law. Senator Grady still clung tn his denuncia-
tipn of the society. and declared that a private
organization had no business tn administer pub
lie funds. When the report of the Finance Com
n'ittee was read Senator Grady presented
formal statement Of the minority's attitude. IT
reiterated chiefly HIS arguments against the bill.
his objections 10 the scenic society and the form
Of the bill. which he held would make that
ciety irrevocahly the controlling agent OF the
states property. and probably a self-constituted
disbursing agent for the states funds in caring
for the park.
This minority report was signed by Senators
Grady and Mullaney, but Senator Armstrong
asked 10 have his name added. Having been
reported. the Assembly bill was in the order OF
second reading. Senator Hill asked unanimous
consent TO have it advanced to third reading
and taken up for passage. Senator Grady OBJ
jected.
NOT ENOUGH MONEY FOR DAM.
the Portage Water Power Company by the
newspapers because Of this he said. "The
representatives of this bill yesterday at the hear
ing said they knew nothing of any nefarious
power company scheme except what they had
seen in the newspapers And / am Informed
that the water company hasn't enough money to
pay for the dam it was chartered 10 build, let
alone pay for opposition to this bin here"
His objection sent the bill TO general orders,
but little later Senator Hill moved to have the
committee of the whole discharged from further
custody OF the measure and that it be taken up
for passage. Senator Raines suggested that
the measure could be discussed just as fully on
third reading. Senator Armstrong consented,
and Senator Grady withdrew his objections, so
that the measure was advanced to third reading
Senator Armstrong then presented his amend
ment which was made he said, to emphasize
the position OF the opponents OF the bill. Some
misleading statements about this opposition had
been made. he declared, which We're more or less
unjust TO the opponents. There never had been
opposition TO the public park project or the Gus
tody Of that park by the Scenic Society. Eite
objection had been TO making such custody ;er-
petuaL and any subsequent attempt TO take
away that custody liable TO miscOnstruction
as a breach OF faith.
The Senator admitted that there circum-
stances connected with the affair which seemed
10 justify much of the comment which had been
made He wanted the opposition 10 the bill put
in the correct light.
There is circumstantial evidence" he said
(which makes embarrassing situation. But
It shall not enbarrsss me, for have no connec-
fion with any interests which might oppose this
bin. / have no connection. either direct or in-
direct. with the Genesee Power Company.
have. far know, acquaintance who
has an interest in H. and I never had any COM
munication from anybody who is interested
in It,"
MR. LETCHwoRTHS TELEGRAM READ.
Senator Hill spoke for the original bill. detail
ing Mr. LetchwOrth's reasons for wishing 10
give the custody Of his property after his death
10 the Scenic Society, and his belief that the
clause permitting that organization to admin
lister the property until the Supreme Court de-
cided II ought not 20 have such control was an
a
telegram from Mr.. LetchwOrth asking that the
original bin prepared under his suggestions by
hIs own counsel be passed.
Again Senator Grady spoke in opposition to
the measure the society and the sO-called at
tempt TO dictate 20 the Legislature" Most of
his argument which did not tend TO denuncIa-
lion OF the Scenic Society was devoted to his
idea that The society in some future time would
demand money from the state 10 keep I'D the
public park which Mr. LetchHorth specified
should he maintained. Finally. Senator Raines
closed the debate by saying that, while he might
he inclined 20 agree with Senators Armstrong
apd Grady their Interpretation, as a legal
point Of the clause to which they objected. he
could not see that it important enough 10
cause any hesitation about the passage OF the
he in the power OF future legislatures 20 change
or amend the BILL
Then came the roll call on the Armstrong
amendment. which was as follows:
ayes-ArnstrOng. Aclzroyd, Grady. Hinman and
,see sn s1s F,son Fa5css;r FOE FnssJ 0S
Fanchot. Fuller Gates Gilchrist. Grattan. Harte.
M:csrree oNsil ,,S oweas Page Rainss Pans, Rams
TrasSs. Wemple. White and WiIcox-&
on the vote for final passage OF the bill Sen
voted against passage. and Senator Ackroyd.
having voted for passage by mistake, specially
asked 20 have his vote changed.
To help along the general welfare OF the pub
lic park, Senator Page presented a hill 20 re-
peel the charter OF the Genesee Water Com
pany This, If passed. viii remove any future
uneasiness regarding encroachments of power
development concerns the states land along
the Genesee River.