Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-02-09
THE YOSEMITE HOTEL.

There are those who have deemed it the
proper thing to do, to sheer at the PROPOSE
ton to have the State own hotel property
in Yosemite valley. 1t would be wise
thing for the State to order the immediate
erection and fitting up of such building.
Just as proper as for the State to open
roads, construct drives and walks, and lay
out and buy trails to add to the attractive
ness and conveniences of the valley. No
State ever received more splendid gift
than when the Federal Government placed
in its hands this magnificent property. 1t
draws thousands to the State annually; it
is a source of supreme pleasure to our own
people; it adds to the grandeur of the
State, and it should he sacredly withheld
| from the exactions and trespasseS of all
persons. The State should erect such
buildings as are permitted to stand in the
valley. There should be no such thing as
private ownership or proprietorship in the
valley. As it is now three miserably con-
structed and wholly inadequate buildings
poorly serve the purpose of hotels. They
| are mere make-Shifts, and disgrace to the
State. However skilled the landlords,
they cannot suitably serve the public in
such rude structures Then there are a
number of cabins, sources Of profit to their
proprietors, not one of which structures
should be permitted to remain upon the
reservation. If any similar buildings are
put up, they should be in the form of neat
cottages. 1t is not beneath the dignity of
the State to possess Yosemite valley. 1t
will not be beneath its dignity to properly
fit it for the reception of the guests We in
vite to it. No one else than the State
should own the hotel to be leased out in
the valley, and no other than good hotel
| building should be tolerated in it. Pri-
| vate capital will erect the necessary
building only upon such conditions
as will practically deprive the State of
control. If the State is as in the past. to
govern the valley and protect the people
from imposition, it must have full control,
and not be driven to long leases with hard
conditions In order to secure proper ac-
commodations for visitors. 1t has been
said that if the State erects a hotel it will
lead to her possessing and operating the
trail trains and saddle retinues by which
tourists scale the walls of the valley and
traverse the reaches of the wondrouslY
beautiful floor of this noble park, where
natures grandeur is realized as nowhere
else on earth. This fear about State opera
ton Is wholly speculation. But, in fact,
the State does own the trails; she does fix
the rate of charges for use Of saddle ami
mails; she does exercise the power to say
who shall run saddle trains upon the trails.
and coaches and carriages upon the roads
and, as she thus exercises the control. she
practically operates the saddle trains, and
thus far no harm has come of it. To adj
nit Tom, Dick and Harry to enter upon
the business would ruin it, and make the
valley most uninviting spot As the
State OWNS the roads, she must control
their use. As she owns the valley, she
should own good hotel building in it,
regulate the charges in it, prevent extor-
ton, and secure thoroughly good accom-
modations othepeople. Since the State can
mot lose by the investment, as she only adj
vances money certain to be returned to her
by rentals, we cannot see why there should
be any hesitation in passing the bill already
introduced to secure good accommodations
to visitors to Yosemite valley.