New-York tribune., 1907-01-23
THE LgyCHWORTH GIFT.

The old injunction against looking a gift
horse in the mouth IS not always Judlc1ous
There are times when 1t is proper and, indeed,
obligatory To scrutinize a gift, or the terms on
which it is offered. before accepting 1t. Espe-
ciaIIy may such be the case when 1t is to be
accepted in trust for others or for the public.
But such scrutiny has its limits, and when 1t
exceeds them it becomes offensive. Still more
offensive is it, after all proper scrutiny has been
made and the gift and it's terms are found to
be unexceptionable, to attempt TO alter the
terms for selfish purposes and in such way
as to seek to defeat the aim which the g1ver
most had in view.
Mr. Letchworth offers 10 give to the state.
free of any cost whatsoever to the state, ana,
indeed. with handsome cash bonus or endow-
ment, an estate Of great value, of rare beauty
and Of marked scientific and historic interest
among the terms being the stipulation that the
American Scenic and Historic Preservation So
cIety shall be the trustee or custodian of the
property in behalf Of the state His purpose is
TO have the estate preserved intact for all time
a public park. The announcement OF his
munifcence was gratefully received by the pub
lie. and prompt acceptance of the gift-there
are strong and obvious reasons for expedition
was cordially recommended by the Governor
and voted by the Assembly.
objection In the Senate TO the terms of the
SlIl is OsleuSlDII AkaAuoL
ship of the American Scenic and Historic Pres
ervatiOn Society. 1t would thus in any case
be misdirected for that society is well known
TO be worthy Of such charge But the disin-
geIuOusness of the objection is strikIngy dis
played when we recall that a few years ago
the Stony Point Reservation was put under the
control of that society without opposition, and
that similar course was pursued with Wat
kins Glen, which the state had acquired not
as a free gift, but at public cost If the society
is fit to have charge of that which costs the
state a large sum. surely it is fit to have charge
OF that which costs the state nothing 1t is
true there would be objections. sincere and
valid TO the putting of public property irrevo-
cably and perpetually In the hands Of any such
society, however estimable. But that is not
proposed in this case, for Il would lie within
the power of the courts at any time TO with
draw the estate from the society's CONTROL IL the
public good required such action.
1t is difficult TO resist the conclusion that tho
sOciety's trusteeship is opposed In some quar-
ters for the reason that it would serve as an
effectual bar to spoliaton OF the estate for
private gain. Years ago certain interests, seek
ing water power for industrial uses, tried TO get
possession Of the falls OF the Genesee River, on
this estate. They did get charter for the pur-
pose, but failed TO make good" under It's re-
quirements. and IL lapsed Another effort 90
get the falls might succeed more easily II they
We're on a state reservation. hut not II the
society in question had control of the property.
We cannot believe however that Mr. Letch-
wOrth's munihcent gift will be rejected on such
narrow and unworthy grounds. Should he with
draw the present offer altogether. because the
terms stipulated by him were TO be so modified
as TO threaten TO defeat his purpose. no odIum
would rest upon him. In that case he might
contrive 10 bestOw the estate In such a way as
still 70 assure its preservation for the benefit
Of the people. Before any such extreme meas
ure is called for however. we shall expect 10
see the State Senate follow the good example OF
its Finance Committee, which has restored the
measure 20 take the trust 10 the form In
which IT passed the Assembly, and accent Mr..
LetchwOrth's gift in the spirit in which It is
offered.