The morning call., 1890-06-08
YOSEMITE VALLEY.
Speech of John p. Irish ON Ad.
verse Criticism Made.

AT the recent meeting Of the Yosemite Com
missioners. the Chairman OF the Executive Com
mittee, John z. Irish, submitted a report in
which he said:
The Chairman Of the Executive Committee
bfgs to report that the steps taken during the
year have tended 10 the permanent protection of
the Big Tree Grove from destruction by fire, and
that policy which has been adopted on that res
ervaIion should BE- extended to the valley by the
exercise of coed judgment In trimming out the
recent growth OF resinous timber by which The
whole valley is imperiled. This policy should
be considered and It's details arranged after con-
sultation with the most experienced foresters
and when decided upon should be enforced as
measure necessary 10 the preservation OF the
valley.
During the year a few criticisms adverse to
the administration OF the valley have found ex-
preston through quite influential channels. Out
OF many thousand visitors 10 the valley during
the year three persons have made these criti-
cisms, REINFORCED by some citizens OF California
who have either painted pictures OF the valley
which no one buys, or written essays about il
which no one reads. The three critics sojourned
in The valley and partook OF milk, cream and
butter, but protested against the presence OF the
cows necessary to produce these articles, which
must be kept within The grant. They also ale
fresh beef and mutton nearly 200 miles from
market, but went away and disclaimed against
giving up lhe small field to the animals that give
these supplies TO visitors, when there is no other
available source Of supply. They rode up and
down the trails to points OF interest upon the
giudgIng TO these patient animals the bite Of
green feed which grows In the valley.
l am unable 10 find reason or right In their
Criticism of The means taken to supply the de-
mands made by them In common with the
pleased and uncOmpalning thousands who saw
the wonders and the grandeur OF tile valley, and
were not hunting for things with which TO nnd
fault. Some of these critics suggest that land
scape and flower gardens are needed TO improve
the valley. In my opinion The real lmproyers of
the valley have been the hardy California noun
taineers, who laid out and built trails to points
by nature made inaccessible, and the others who
have trained animals TO travel In safety these
dizzy ZigZagS. and the rates are adapted to the
means Of the humblest who enIer the valley.
question whether gardeners can improve the
valley. Foresters may well do But these
magnificent proportions are not adapted to tile
petty detail which Is In place on lawns and bor-
derS. What nature has wrought here Is on
scale too grand to adapt itself TO the skin which
ming private hedges. AS well ask the cOucert of
waterfalls which, before man was, have joined
their voices in an anthem man cannot sing, to
pause aud ADAPT themselves 10 Little Annie
Rooney"
To proper counsel and criticism the board Is,
am sure, always willing 10 listen, and II should
be as ready TO defend Itself against defamation
by those WHO come here and stay aud depart
bIind 10 everything but the necessary incon.
yeniences caused by caring for tourists.
Much that has misled the public has an origin
even more disreputable. The Governor of Cali
fornia Is ex-ofcio member of the board and Its
President. He appoints lis members. Governor
Waterman might be a candidate for re election,
and that malevoence which Is gross infrmity
of politics selected the administration of the
valley as The nearest way 10 his political vitals.
The members OF tile board will all indorse me
In saying that the Governors conduct and coun-
sci on ihIs board have baen uniformly those OF
an Intelligent citizen and conscientious Execu-
tive seeking only the best ways and means to
secure The accessibility OF the valley, preserve it
From beittlement and make 1t tile diamond
among the scenic jewels OF California.
Discriminating visitors hnd no difficulty In ap-
proving the stage service by which the valley Is
reached. as well as the care taken Of guests
within tile grant
The committee desires 10 express Its very cordial
approval of the intelligence industry and disn-
terested devotion of the Guardian, Galen Clark.
with excellent Judgment and economy he has
executed the improvements Repaired by the COM
mission to the extent warranted by the condition
OF lie funds. His work on Mirror Lake and diff
ferent parts OF the road thereto is referred to with
pride by the committee as a credit TO his 1udg-
ment and good Taste. In considering further Inn
proyements Ia the valley the application of for
estry TO The Tree growth on he floor and the ten
ants In the valley the committee recommends
free consultation OF the Guardian.
The funds al the disposal OF your committee
were reduced by the necessity OF the payment OF
bills that had accumulated prior TO the last an-
Bual meeting. Ii Is believed that aside from
current bills for opening the roads and valley to