Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-06-11
YOSEMITE VALLEY.
OFFICIAL MINUTES OF TIE MEETINGS
OF THE COMMISSIONERS.

OFFICIAL MINUTES OF TIE MEETINGS
OF THE COMMISSIONERS.
improvements In the Valley-Protecting
the Public from Imposition = Facil-
itating Access to the Park.
For some time past there has been con-
fict between what was known as the old
Board and the new Board in the manage
ment of the affairs of the Yosemite valley
and Mariposa Grove of Big Trees. The test
case In the premises was taken to the United
States Supreme Court, which lately decided
In favor of the new Board, being the ap-
pointees OF Governor Perkins, and the effect
OF the decision being to declare that the State
of California has the right of government in
and over the Yosemite grant. In pursuance
of their authority and the statute recurring
annual meetings to be held in the valley. tie
Commission met in Yosemite valley June l.
| 1881. Present - Commissioners jackson.
Mills, Ladd, Sperry, Meany and Briggs-W.
II. Mills, Vice-President, in the chair
Hon. w. b. May, by permission. made
statements as to his views concerning the val
lev and its management. He had taken a
| WARM interest," III LUG fdhcf iOf many years,
and hoped to see the day when this valley
should become the Mecca of tourists. Its
needs have never been properly appreciated
| by the State. When the matter comes to be
understood, the claims of the valley will be
fully estimated. He thought that Barnard's
Hotel was laboring at great disadvantage.
If in the power of the Board to make him
some concessions and to show mercy he hoped
it would be done.
Mr.. Coffman said he wanted to do ieSi-
| innate business in livery, but thought he was
not protected. He said there is o party OF
| seven now in the valley who can break up OF
derange the business, and he was not willing
that unlicensed parties should come in. He
further said he was acting with MIR. Stegman
and Mr.. Kinney, and was willing to take the
whole business, with charges for saddle.
horses fixed at three dollars per day. He
could not keep horses up and feed them fol
less. If the Board should remit all rent he
could furnish horses at 50 90 per day but
should then want some pasture furnished.
M. Hedges complained that he was not
adequately protected. He did not ask fer
exclusive privilege, but wanted permission to
run saddle horses. He wanted the privilege
restricted to Harris, Stegman and himself.
He has an arrangement With Coffman and
Harris by which he gets
oNE-HALF OF THE PROCEEDS
And does one-half of the work Harris and
Coffman could freeze him out by neglect
ing to keep up their end of the business.
George Kinney asked the privilege of run
ming q saddle train. He declared him.
self willing to pay license immedi-
ately. He was willing to observe all the
regulations of the valley, if he could be pro.
tected. He could not run for 50 so per day,
even if all bonus was RENTED.
nrav, I;aJf 1r a a hut hor
He pays $50 lease money now, and 500
to another man to keep the other man from
selling meat. He also permits him to furnish
half the cattle needed. He is willing to pay
Sl00 per year for the exclusive privilege.
Mr.. Washburn asked to lease FL CAPTAIN
stable, and also for the privilege of running a
saddle train to accommodate the passengers
which his stage company brings into the
valley.
Colonel jackson submitted statement,
showing that Mr.. Black owns the sci Capt.
tan stable.
Mr.. Washburn, resumipg, wanted to run q
saddle and carriage train enough to accom-
modate all the passengers by him carried into
the valley. He said his company sells saddle
train tickets in San Francisco for $40, upon
which Samuel Miller gets a commission. In
this matter he said he only stands an even
show with other parties. They can all sell
tickets in the city if they choose.
In addition to the above, MIR. Washburn
also applied for the Ell Captain meadow, for
$50 per annum.
Mr.. Harris said he had lease to do liv-
cry business, but for two or three years back
| he had been blackmailed. Last year he had
to pay 500 as blackmail to prevent another
party from running saddle train. He com.
planned that he had not had protection. The
other party takes the money from those who
do the work. He said he furnished all the
carriages and MIR. Kinney furnished more
than half the horses. Mr.. Stegman does the
carriage business. Harris said he paid S40C
for the meadow and the privilege of conduct
ing livery business. He explained about
/ THE TICKET ARRANGEMENT.
He had seen passengers ticket, which
called for Mirror Lake, Sentinel Dome, Yer
nal and Nevada Falls. He does not believe
that they get their money back. Another
| person is paid to keep him from bringing in a
saddle train.
Mr.. Washburn stated that he hired stable
in the valley, and had as much right to run a
saddle train as any one else, and 10 per cent.
had been paid to him not to put saddle
train in the valley.
Mr.. Kinney stated that he had been with
Me-. Harris four years and paid no rent. He
has had all the profits until this year. Now
Harris has half the profits.
Mr. Howard stated that he had claim for
property destroyed. He formerly had prop
erty at Mirror lake, and received notice
from Mr. Clark, Guardian, that his house had
been burned and other property removed /; he
so found to be the fact. Clark had removed
his personal property, boats and lumber
Clark said he had removed and destroyed the
property by order Of Raymond & Ashburner
He did not think that Clark destroyed the
L. baI L,,,1t 4ba ,,p1ar c
privilege granted him in 1874 to keep the
Mirror Lake House.
After hearing Mr.. Towards statement, il
was resolved that the claim of MIR. Howard
lie referred to Colonel jackson, to examine
and report to the Board the facts in the
premises.
Mr. Howard then also applied for per
mission to run a job wagon in the valley.
Mr. Drew appeared and offered 500 rent
for the Ell Captain meadow. He said be
knew of no other place to keep beef cattle.
Mr. Hayes appeared and asked if Mr.
Harris had the privilege of selling liquor in
the valley.
Mr. Harris. in reply, made Statement,
about selling whisky.
Mr. Murphy thought it would be of great
advantage to the valley to open up road
through Indian canyon, leading to the Tioga
mines and Bodie. The trail would run three
miles on tne grant. Ii Tie commissioners
would make the trail across the grant Other
parties would continue it beyond. It woulo
shorten the horse travel about sixteen miles
Up the creek he thought would be the best
way.
Mr.. Hutchings thought the route via Tenic
creek would be preferable. The trail via In
dian canyon would be altogether within the
grant.
Colonel J. p Jackson hereupon said that
the Board had now held two sessions and
done but little business. He thought i,
L L II