San Andreas independent., 1857-05-09
The Big Tree Road Convention.


Mokelumne Hill; on the End day of May. The
members of the Convention acted as unit
not single feeling or word was manifested
among the Delegates to mar their harmony or
arouse any local issues or preferences The
proceedings were entirely satisfactory and we
have not heard dissenting opinion since the
adjournment, on a single resolution or recon-
mendation, passed by the Convention The
Convention was ably and numerously repre-
sented, and the officers were competent and
faithful. Judge A. c. Baine, of Stockton. pre-
sided with dignity and marked ability; while
the Vice Presidents, Messrs. H. T. Higgins. of
Stockton, and w. H. Hanford, of Murphy's.
cheerfullY sustained the Chair and the cause.
withtheir hearty cooperation. The Secreta-
ries, Messrs. J. B. Kennedy, of Stockton, and
Geo. E. Young, of Angels were selected on ac-
count OF peculiar aptness in that capacity. Mr..
Kennedy is the Napoleon Of the press in Cali
fornia, being one of the oldest editors and pub
fishers in the State. Mr.. Young, at the last
State Fair, was appointed Official Reporter, by
the State Agricultural Society of New York
The best policy could not have selected bet
ter, more faithful, or more appropriate set of
officers than the above named gentlemen, and
it pleases US to say that they conducted the
business of the Convention in a style worthy
the commendation of every true friend of the
Big Tree Road. The selection of the Board of
Directors was the most important duty per-
formed, and most wisely apportioned between
the different conflicting points on the route
To the integrity and faithful conduct of the
Board of Directors, the friends of this road look
for consummation Of their wishes and hopes.
We are told that Mr.. l.. G. Root of Mokelumne
Hill, is peculiarly qualified for the important
position to which he has been appointed we
know that Mr. Geo. E. Drew, of Stockton, is a
good and true man, combining much practical
experience with great scientific knowledge for
term of years he has been County and City
Surveyor of the district he represents. AS for
Judge Shepherd, of Murphy's, his shrewdness,
foresight, and interest, is quite sufficient to di-
rect all and every feasible minutia of the under
taking. We look upon him as the keystone of
the unit-the sheet-anchor of our hope. The
work has been nobly commenced-let us put
our shoulder to the wheel and brayely push
it on.
Every man should consider it not only bles-
sed privilege, but a special duty to give some
thing for the road if it is but five dollars, and
he will be the gamer on the investment in the
end, by the amount of trade and travel which
will concentrate on the route, during the pres
i a..
ing the foundation of national mail route and
the Pacific Railroad.
Our friends of Stockton and San joaquin are
up and doing; already their subscription papers
are in the field, and the solicitors gathering in
the money. Let us be prompt to act, or other
sections may feel less jealous in the matter
San Joaquin county will give five thousand dol
lars; we ought not to be second on the list of
subscriptions to this enterprise, when the bene-
hts will first accrue to us. The counties of Tu-
olumne, Mariposa, Merced Frezno, Tulare,
Stanislaus Santa Clara, San Francisco, Alame-
da and Contra Costa will, doubtless, do their
duty; but in our county and San Joaquin, the
bulk of the amount will have to be raised In
the words of Capt Hanford, let us have action
ACTION! ACTION Now is the time to acork
not to talk. As Mr.. Thompson the indefatiga-
BILE Expressman says, we can say nothing
more favorable than this" To show what our
neighbors of San Joaquin are doing, We copy
the following from the Republican:
THE GREAT WAGON ROAD CoNyEN-
TIoN-We publish this morning an elab-
crate and correct, though unofficial, report
of the proceedings of this important body,
assembled at Mokelumne Hill on Satur-
day last The Convention was very full,
and all were actuated by an earnest desire
to contribute in every way possible to the
consummation of the grand enterprise in
hand. The utmost harmony characterized
the deliberations of the Convention The
practical sense and appreciation of the sub
ject evinced by the action taken, give as
surance that the road will be speedily com
pleted. The rapidity with which the work
is to be prosecuted, however, depends upon
the alacrity with which the people to be
benefited support the efforts of those upon
whom the duty was imposed by the Con-
vention of collecting funds and superin-
tending the active operations. We cannot
doubt that every citizen of the entire dis
trict directly interested, will consider it a
pleasure as well as a duty to contribute ac
cording to his ability to the consummation
of this very important enterprise.
This project appeals in a special manner
and with peculiar force to the people of
Stockton, whose interests will be peculiarly
and Immediately benefited by opening the
road, both by the acquisition of nearly the
entire trade of the eastern side of the
mountain, now enjoyed by Sacramento, by
the large increase of the population of the
ois,ricts OF which this is now the centre,
and by the consequent attraction Of capital