The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-10-07

jects. the onsideratfon Of which reduires
a Ions and careful investigation. Natur-
ally, these commissioners VIII not be able
to perform ministerial functions. All that
they could be expected to do would he to
act In an advisory capacity and lay dow
the policy Of the department. and to SCI
to 1t that the superintendent. whom they
appoint. with whom they are In constant
touch. Will carry out those policies. II
they fail to do no. they are subject to
removal. as tho superintendent, whom they
appoint. 10 subject to removal by them.
he constantly being under their obeerva-
tion and direction.
In order to insure the selection OF
absolutely impartial commissioners II
Is provided that no person shall be
eligible to, or shall continue to hold,
the office Of commissioner who is en-
gagged in the business of numbering
In any forest preserve county or who
Is engaged in any business In the
prosecution Of which hydraulic power
is used. or in which water Is distrib-
uted or sold under any public fran
chise. or who liz an officer or holder
Of the stock or bonds Of any orpor
ton engaged in such business within
the State. The commissioners are
made subject to removal by the Gov
ernor on charges. after an opportu-
nifty to be heard. They are also made
subject to Impeachment in the same
name as the Governor and to re-
moval by the Senate by a vote of
two-thirds Of all the members elected
thereto.
This commission is not to carry out
the policy Of any Governor. nor of
any political party. The policy OF the
state concerning its natural
is settled by the people in it's Con-
stitution. This policy is embodied in
the provision continuing the existing
requirement that the lands OF the
State. now owned or hereafter ac-
quired. constituting the forest pre-
serve as now fixed by law. shall be
forever kept as wild forest lands. and
shall not be leased. sold or exchanged,
or be taken by n corporation, pub
lie or private. nor shall the trees and
timber thereon be sold, 10 or
destroyed. An amendment to this bro.
vision was offered in the convention by
Mr.. Angel. which was vigorously
supported by Mr.. Ferris Meigs. pro-
viding for a classification of the lands
OF the State in the forest preserve.
under which a part Of the lands
might he set aside for utilization pur-
poses, in which trees might be cut.
the department to provide for the
sale and removal OF the timber.
under such conditions as IL shall pre-
scribe in accordance with the princi-
pies OF scientific forestry" This
amendment. however. was defeated
and the provision which was adopted
empowers the department.:
To reforest lands in the fores, preserve.
TO construct fire trails thereon. and TO re.
move dead trees and dead timber there.
iTVn - purposes OF refDrsstatlon AM
FIRE protection solely but .hoH no, sen
the same.
IL was the opinion OF a majority of
the delegates hat by prohibiting the
sale OF timber necessarily removed
from the forest lands for the purposes
mentioned, all temptation for needless
destruction OF the forests would he
removed, and the forest preserve would
be more effectualE continued as the
Constitution commands "as wild forest
lands"
The Legislature is further eauired
annually to make provision for the
purchase of real property within the
Adirondack and Catskil! parks. the
reforestation Of lands and the making
OF boundary and valuation surveys.
Authority is granted to enable the
State to construct a State highway
from Saranac Lake to Long Lake,
and thence to Old Forge by way of
Blue Mountain Lake and Raquette
Lake. thus completing a road which
was already partially commenced and
which was regarded as important for
the protection of the forests. There
Is also devolved upon the department
power 10 enact regulations with re-
spect to the taking possession, sale and
transportation Of Ash, birds. game and
shelltsh. subject To "A veto by the Gov
ernor within thirty days after such
enactment, which regulation shall have
tn" force of law when filed in the
office If the Department OF State and
published as the Legislature may pro-
vide, until and unless the Legislature
shall thereafter modify such regula-
tons.
So thoroughly convinced was the
convention of the wisdom Of these p
prov isions, and Of the public benefits
Ia he derived from them, that they
were adopted 10y the vote ~ ninety
n ,9l) Republicans and thirty 1907
Democrats only ten 10 Republicans
and one - Democrat voting in the
negative.
GEORGE W. WlCKERsHAM.