Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-02-12
vandalism. and have brought upon us the

wood, have been excusable as compared to
the culpable neglect which renders the
destruction of the groves imminent from
fire. II the State is to continue
in possession, it must protect the trees. The
expense will not be great, but action should
be immediate. and action without means is
impossible. These groves and the Yosemite
valley are paying property-indeed, the
ONLY PAYING PROPERTY,
He believed, owned by the State. They bring
to the State thousands of people who expend
here large sums, and beside that they afford,
small as it s, direct income to the State,
enabling it to meet current expenses and
maintain the artificial property on the lands.
Unless one has visited the Yosemite valley,
he can have but faint conception of its
value to the people, or correct realization of
the magnitude of its Importance. The Gov
eminent of the United States coded the valley
and grove to the people of California. twas
muniicent gift-one any people in Europe
would rejoice TO possess. Having accept
ed the gift, we must either protect
it, and keep it open to the world,
or relinquish it. Honor and craftsmanship
admit of no other conclusion. If the Legis-
lature of California does not feel that it can
give the means necessary to preserve this
property and open up its hidden beauties, it
ought to relinquish the trust, as the manner
State. The Commission believes the people
do not wish it relineuished, but that they de-
sire to hold it and administer it to the high
est advantage The Commission receives
now about $4,000 year from the valley.
Improve the property reasonably and it will
yield more largely. The trails in the valley
ought to be made free. Now the stranger is
forced to pay 81 for every member of his
party in order to pass along each one, and we
stand by this act, in the eyes of the world, In
AN INEVITABLE LIGHT.
This forced tax is felt bitterly it detracts
from the pleasure of the visitor and embitters
his recollection. The State does not receive
this tax, but it bears the ignominy arising
from it. As citizens the Commissioners feel
the disgrace that the State has allowed this
imposition all these years. These trails are
franchise rights. The State permitted their
construction and gave the right to collect the
toll upon them. They lead to the only pres
ent accessible points of view. There are other
points wholly inaccessible now, and these
should be opened up by new trails and thus
new views disclosed, and revisits to the valley
stimulated thereby. All the trails should be
free In this Judgment the Commission is
unanimous. There should be good roads in
the valley, drive skirting its entire circum
ference, inviting to all and easy of accom-
pishment. The trails and drives should be
so connected as to form harmonious whole,
so that all points of interest may be visited
with the least possible doubling on
the route, and with the least loss
of time, and physical exertion and risk. His
own observation had convinced him that the
Board is composed of gentlemen willing to do
their whole duty in the premises to their best
ability. The Legislature, in attempting to
respond to the wants of the people, should
consider if. after having assumed this trust,
the people are willing to suffer discredit by
it, or desire to discharge it honorably and
with credit The Commission does not feel
it its TO go into the lobby and work in that
disgraceful manner to secure what is the
right of the people. 1t is State question,
and it must be assumed that honorable legis-
lators will consider it in its broadest sense
and in the best lights The Commission
wishes it settled if the trust is to be discharged
fittingly, if not it does not wish the disgrace
OF neglect and failure to come while it is in
charge OF the property.
SECRETARY NJ. c. BRIGGS
Then addressed the meeting. He Endorsed
the statements already made. He had care
fully considered the whole matter. He be-
lieYed the former Commission would have
kept the property in good condition If it had
possessed the means. 1t had applied for
them, and been denied Some lessees in the
valley have run fences out against the cliffs,
and connected drive is now difficult. These
should be removed. There should be prac-
ticable way of reaching the best points of
view. Now these ways are few, and but few
can avail Of them, as in one or two cases
where ropes have to be used. A Senator had
advised him to ask for the appropriation de-
sired to be divided into two parts, and made
payable half in each year. He had carefully
examined the valley as to its needs. A COM
paratively small expenditure will make it far
more inviting 1t now brings more money
and people to the State than any one dreams
of, and is direct stimulant of industry. 1t
reproductive property.
COMMISSIONER INFANCY
Said money must be allowed the Commission
to do its work.
Mr. Briggs-The bill prepared by Guardian
Hutchings meets our views.
Mr.. Van Fleet-How have the trail own
ers acquired them?
The Commissioners explained that the
walls of the valley are precipitous The
valley is about nine miles long and
one mile wide. The cliffs rise almost
perpendicularly from the floor of the val
ley, SO loftily that if they should fall
inward their tops would apparent
ly touch. Ell Captain alone is $500
feet in hight and almost sheer
wall. The valley is tortuous in its course.
You must reach the rim of the val
ley to get an idea of the sublimity
of the prospect. Hence, trails have
been blasted from and constructed of
solid rock, and reach upward by regular
courses. The State made no trails II
granted the right to do so, and gave the right
to collect toll to recompense the capital in
vested-with the understanding that at the
expiration of given time the trails should
belong to the State.
At request of Senator Johnston the bill
was here read. 1t provides for an appropria-
ton of S25. 600 to purchase trails and make
them free, and to secure roads and otherwise
improve the valley, and to protect the
Big tree grove. The Commission to expend
as much of the sum as it deems best and to
purchase trails in its discretion-all trails
bought to be thereafter forever free. The
Commission is not obligated to buy trails by
the bill, but is to have discretionary power,
and may use part Of the fund to construct
new trails.
Senator Lampson addressed the meeting,
warmly advocating the bill, but desiring the
appropriation divided, to be drawn half in
each of the next two years. He had often
visited the trees and valley. He realized
their value to the State fully, and the need
for State care and protection. They are
noble and beautiful gifts, Niagaras of attract
iveness, and in foreign lands would be consid-
cred of immense value.
GUARDIAN HUTCHLNGs,
BY request, addressed the meeting, and was
interrogated by several present. He described
the grandeur of the valley and read from
report by Mr.. Olmstead, who laid out Central !
Park, New Y FORK, and was once Yosemite 7
Commissioner, in which it was shown that |
Alpine scenery and wonders are the great |
support and source Of revenue to the cantons T
of the Swiss Republic aud supports nearly
all its industries, its hotels, railroad and
telegraph lines, mills and factories, and gives
a market for products of the ground and OF
handiwork. From it the republic has its
largest revenues. Bavaria, by vast expendi.
tuTe to create artificial gardens, had increased
its revenues, and these two are annually the
resort Of tens of thousands of people from all
over the world. The groves and valley can
D., r,,n!a 10 .1ra-z tong Of thonsands of neopIe