§ 18. Railroads through public lands. The commissioner of general
services may grant to any domestic or foreign railroad corporation land
belonging to the people of the state, except the reservation at Niagara
and the Concourse lands on Coney Island, which may be required for the
purposes of its road on such terms as may be agreed upon by them; or a
domestic railroad corporation may acquire title thereto by condemnation;
and the county or town officers having charge of any land belonging to
any county or town, required for a domestic railroad corporation for the
purposes of its road, may grant such land to the corporation for such
compensation as may be agreed upon. In case the land or any right,
interest or easement therein, required by a domestic or foreign railroad
corporation is used for prison purposes the commissioner of general
services may grant such land, or any right, interest or easement
therein, provided the plans of such railroad corporation for the use of
such prison lands, or such right, interest or easement therein, have the
approval of the commissioner of corrections and community supervision.