40 FOREST FIKES IX NORTH CAROLIXA. 



THE MOINT MITCIIKLL PARK rURCIIASE LAW. 



The following is a co])y of llie law authorizing the purchase of the 

 summit of Mount Mitchell : 



AN ACT TO APPOINT A COMMISSION TO ACQUIRE A PORTION OF 

 MOUNT MITCHELL. INCLUDING THE SUMMIT, AND TO PROVIDE 

 FOR THE CREATION OF A PUBLIC PARK FOR THE USE OF THE 

 PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.* 



Whereas the summit of Mount Mitchell in Yancey County is the greatest 

 altitude east of the Rocky Mountains ; and whereas the headwaters of many 

 of the important streams of the State are at or near the said summit, and the 

 forest is being cleared, which tends to damage and injure the streams flowing 

 through the said State from the mountains to the Atlantic Ocean ; and whereas 

 it is deemed desirable that this beautiful and elevated spot shall be acquired 

 .and permanently dedicated as a State i)ark for the use of the people of the 

 entire State seeking health and recreation ; and whereas, unless the said land 

 is acquired by the State at this time, the cost of acquiring it at a later date 

 will be greatly increased and the water-courses may be damaged and the 

 beauty of the scenery destroyed by removing the growth therefrom, and irrep- 

 arable damage accrue: Now. tlu-refori'. 



The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact : 



Section 1. That a commission is hereby created, to consist of five practical 

 business men who shall be appointed by the Governor, and which shall carry 

 out the provisions of this act and shall be known as the "Mitchell Peak Park 

 Commission." 



Sec. 2. That said commission shall lie and is hereby created a body politic 

 and corporate under the name and style of the "Mitchell Peak I'ark Connnis- 

 sion." 



Sec. 3. That the said commission shall have the power to fix the time and 

 place of its meeting. Said commissioners shall hold office until the property 

 hereinafter described shall have been purchased and a deed made to the State 

 of North Carolina and until they shall have made a report of the same to the 

 General Assembly and shall have been discharged. In the event of the death 

 or resignation of any member of said commission, his successor shall be ap- 

 pointed by the Governor. The said commissioners shall receive no compensa- 

 tion but their traveling expenses, including hotel bills, while actively engaged 

 in the work of said commission, and these exi)enses shall be paid out of the 

 funds hereinafter provided for: Provided, that tiie said commission shall 

 under no circumstances expend or contract to expend a greater amount than 

 that named in this act for the purchase of said land. 



Sec. 4. The said commission shall convene as soon as practical)le and elect 

 a chairman. The said chairman .shall from time to time draw a warrant or 

 warrants upon the treasurer of the State, which, after being approved and 

 countersigned by the Governor and two other members of tin- conunission be- 



'Chapter 70. I'lihlic Lii 



