New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-01-22
that the state must take it as he gave it or not

that the state take it as he gave it, not
at all"
Senator Armstrong then made defence of the
Senate Finance Committees amendment TO the
original bill. He declared that the committee
had information distinctly not conducive to con-
fdence In the scenic society, and said that in
formation entirely by friends of his wife was
that Mr.. Letchworth was not concerned about
details of gift He said that the clause in the
bill permitting the scenic society to administer
the park until the Supreme Court decided 1t
should not was most improper.
Senator White declared that this was IAN
unseemy controversy" and urged a compro-
mise until Senator Armstrong and Senator Hill
could visit Mr. LetChworth to learn his personal
views Senator Hooker said that such a visit
would not be necessary. for he had a telegram
from Mr.. Letchworth's attorney. a copy of
which he had sent to Senator Armstrong de-
claring that that attorney himself had drawn the
bill permitting the state to accept the gift. and
that Mr. Letchworth insisted on those terms
Mr.. Armstrong later said that he had received
that telegram. Yet I'm the previous debate he
had said that he understood the bill was drawn
by the attorney for the Scenic Society, and had
asked Senator Hill if he was authorized by Mr.
LetchwOrth to say that the gift was dependent
on the passage of the original bill. The telegram
read by Senator Hooker. which had been sent
to Senator Armstrong, as follows:
Mr.. IIetchwOrth respectfully requests your honor
able committee to report its approval of the bill
as passed by the Assembly 10 accept his deed now
in the hands of Governor Hughes. and to with
draw the amended bill now before the Senate strk-
ing out the scenic society, because To eXpend
large amount changes and improvements con-
templated by him requires that his plans be
known, and he has made them known to the scenic
society who approve. and will be in a position
To carry them out with funds provided by him. if
the state shall not dtsapprOVe and the bill passed
by the Assembly shall become law.
With all due respect, Mr.. LetchwOrth cannot
Cept your amended bill. but must regard vote for
it vote not TO accept his gift which he thinks
should be accepted upon the reasonable conditions
he states if the gift is otherwise acceptable. his
main being that IL the state could afford to
buy and pay for Watkins Glen last year and make
the scenic society the permanent custodian thereof
1t afford TO accept Mr. Letchworth's gift now
of much more valuable scenic and historic value,
dian thereof. TO complete Mr.. Letchworths work
with his funds the state obtaining absolute title
TO the property and the right TO permanently Oc-
Cupy and control IL.
Senator Grady who at various times had
taken few filings at Senator Hill and his bill.
then began TRADE against the scenic society
and its work He said he couldn't believe Mr..
Letchworth would make any such provisions for
the acceptance of his gift. He could give the
property direct to the scenic society If he
wanted 10 do that. and no legislation to ratify
IL would be necessary.
Senator Grady talked so long against the bill
and the society that finally Senator Hill asked
TO have his amendment tabled until tomorrow,
when all the members could vote on il.