The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-05-07
THE YOSEMITE VALLEY.
frs RECESSION BYCALIFORSIA UN-
DER CONSIDERATION.
why the National Government Should lake
Charge of This Pleasure Ground-oo"o
Criticisms on Its Management


TO California nearly twenty-nine years
ago.
The expediency OF this recession mas
sometimes been discussed in congress-
not only on account OF complaints made
against the management Of the grant
but also because a vastly larger nauonai
park has now been created, completeiy
surrounding Yosemite Valley, so that II
is better in every way 10 include the latter
in the national pleasure ground. 1t is
welcome sign, therefore, that TINS pro-
posal Of recession is taken up In Calfor-
MIA itself, and urged by prominent men
there. There should be no appeal TO
State pride in opposition 10 the trans
fer. The magnificent gorge would sun
be a part of CALIFORNIA; glory. The case
is like that of the other national reserVa-
lions in that State. including Sequoia,
Grant, Sierra, San Gabriel and San Ber-
nardino. Indeed, il would be for the In
terest of California TO make over the
Yosemite Valley to the United States,
since while it would remain as available
to all her people as before, and quite as
great an attraction TO visitors from be-
yond the State, she would be wholly re-
lieved of the cost of its maintenance
on the 22d of September 1890, the Sem
ate of the United States called upon Sc
cretary Noble TO report whether the
lands granted to California by the act
of June %. 1864, had been "spoliated or
otherwise diverted, in whole or in part,
from the public use contemplated by
the grant" and. If so, how this public
use could be restored and spOliation
prevented.
The Secretary in reply showed that
the. grant In question included the Hose-
mite gorge at the headwaters Of the
MERGED about fifteen miles long, and
stretching back about one mile from the
main edge Of the precipice on each side
of the valley and also the Mariposa Big
Tree Grove; and that the grant was upon
condition that "the premises shall be
held for public use. resort, and recreation
shall be inalienable for all times; but
leases not exceeding ten years may be
granted for portions of said premises;
all incomes derived from leases Of privi-
leges to be expended in the preservation
aud improvement OF the property or the
roads leading thereto. The premises snail
be managed by the Governor Of the State,
with eight Commissioners 20 be appointed
by him. and who shall serve without COM
pensation" This act was accepted by the
Legislature. April ?. 1865. and Commits
sioners we're appointed 10 manage the
reservation.
Proceeding to the inquiry Of the Sem
ate. Secretary Noble presentet the follow
ing statement Of the results reachd by
him:
First-As 10 the Yosemite proper
There has been a very general and in
-. 10 Of ftpakar Enpap
Of this has been done to obtain building,
bridge, and fencing material and fuel;
some. as 1t would seem. TO prepare lands
for the plough or pasture; some with the
notion of opening up views from certain
points. and some, it would almost APP
pear. from mere wantonness. A former
guardian of the park (Alr. Hutchings),
writing i'm 1855 states that within three
years not less than 5000 trees have been
cut down"
Second-A large portion Of the valley.
from one-half TO four-fifths, has been
fenced i'm and put to grass or grain. The
fencing is largely done with barbed wire,
and the Enclosures are so Joined together
and strung longitudinally along the val
ley as to confine travel TO narrow limits
between the fences and the slope from
the mountains. There seems TO be very
little room left for paths for pedestrians
in the valley
Third-The valley has been pastured 10
such an extent as TO destroy a great
many rare plants which formerly grew
there luxuriantly. Formerly there were
over four hundred species Of plants new
to botany In the valley. Nearly all Of
these have been destroyed, if not eXter-
minated by herding and the plough. A
few. It is hoped, may yet be saved.
Fourth-The management seems to have
fallen into the hands OF a monopoly.
Neither in the hotel accommodations.
transportation accommodations. nor the
furnishing of provender for the animals
of tourists, does any competition appear
10 be permitted.
The main road up the middle Of the
valley. from which the overhanging wall
scenery can best be viewed, has been
closed. and about the only ways or room
for ways, left, are the main carriage
paths across the talus and up the spurs,
so rough and precipitous that very few
pedestrians care TO climb them
SO much Of the valley as has not been
inclosed seems 10 be pastured by stock
owned by tie stable and transportation
men, 10 such an extent that there is no
grazing left for the animals Of the tourist
or visitor.
As TO that part Of the Yosemite grant
outside the valley. This seems 10 have
been abandoned TO sheep herders and
their focks The rare grasses and her
bage have been eaten to the bare dirt.
The magnificent fora that added so
greatly 20 the enjoyment Of this scenery
has been destroyed. Fires were allowed
TO be kindled everywhere, and. escaping
where there was substance left, have
reached the trees and shrubs and con-
sumed them. II also appears that large
sequoias and other evergreens have been
cut down BY trespassers TO get the seeds
for expectation 10 foreign lands.
The big tree grove has been mucn
damaged by fire. but whether this has
been the result Of acknowledgement may
be questioned. There Is no doubt, how
evr. that a high regard for the trust
reposed in the Board of Managers would
have induced them 10 have prevented by
all means this destruction Of these won
derful trees
1t further appeared from this report
that these acts Of spoliation and tres
pass had long been going on, and were
the fruit OF a settled policy OF the man
agement. Thus the Commissioners, in
their report for 1885. recommended that
all the available land on the floor OF
the valley should be put 10 the cultiva-
ton OF grass for hay, 70 the amount OF
1000 acres for the augmentation OF the
revenues OF the State" Since there are
1.l41.56 acres on the floor Of the valley.
nine-tenths Of It were thus to be diverted
TO farm purposes, as source OF state
revenue. Another report OF these Com
missioners. two years later. showed that
from COO 70 500 acres had. been already
fenced and put to grass In grain, and
advised seeding the valley from wall
TO wall with useful grasses" Secretary
Noble therefore concluded that the pro-