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To James Terry Gardner
| My Dear Gardner; | 209 W. 46 ST. NEW YORK. 2d Oct. 1879. |
Please consider whether it would not be well to print the enclosed (with such revision as you may choose) on a half sheet of thin note paper, to be sent to all whose aid in getting signatures &c may be desirable, and as a courtesy to all who have aided. It would follow English usage in like matters only that in England it would be signed by a lot of honorable promoters. I think no signature is necessary. It should only be used enclosed in a written note which of course would be signed.
F. L. O.
Confidential.
The project of relieving and preserving the scenery of Niagara Falls from certain offensive conditions has taken the form of a proposition (1) that the islands and a strip of land along the shores of the river from the head of the Rapids to the bridge quarter of a mile below the cataract shall be purchased by the State of New York on one side and either by the Province of Ontario or the Dominion of Canada as may be determined, on the other; (2) that the present dams, piers, sluice-ways, retaining walls, mills and shops near the river shall be removed and buildings at a greater distance obscured by planting; (3) that natural conditions shall as far as possible be everywhere restored and preserved, only such artificial constructions being permitted as are essential to convenient communication and observation of the scenery, and these to be as modest and inconspicuous as possible; (4) that only a single small fee shall be required for admission to the reservations the proceeds to be used to defray the necessary expenses of maintenance, and that visitors shall as far as possible be relieved of all other of the present numerous interruptions [421] to their enjoyment of the scenery in the form of tolls, fees, huckstering and solicitations for employment.
The proposition as thus defined has been favorably considered by the Commission appointed by the State of New York to examine the matter and by the Council of the Province of Ontario. It will be officially recommended to the Legislature of New York.
It is expected to be resisted as a measure involving a large outlay to be defrayed by the taxation of people who will generally receive from it no special benefit and it is hoped will be carried by an appeal to their pride and public spirit.
Letters or memorials sustaining the project have been received from several United States senators; the Secretary of State, the heads of numerous institutions of learning; from Emerson, Longfellow, Whittier, Holmes, and other eminent Americans, and from Carlyle, Ruskin, Sir James Stephen, Lord Houghton and others in England. Aid in the developmnt and expression of favorable public opinion, through the Press & otherwise, is invited from all to whom the matter is of interest. Decisive debate of the question may be looked for early next year.