The San Francisco call., 1896-05-04
COAST EXCHANGES.

The Mariposa Miner tCoulterville) comes out
in strong advocacy of Senator Perkins bill
granting a right of way through the Mariposa
forest reservation for the Yosemite and Merced
Railroad. The bill provides for right of way
200 feet wide, and for the privilege of cutting
such timber as may be required in the construc-
ton of the road. Says our exchange:
Over much OF the country through which the
railroad will pass 200 feet In width is by means
too much for right Of way If the track is to be
kept clear at all seasons of the Furthermore.
by rescuing as much as possible from the reserva-
tion it brings so much the more taxable property
into the county. Since Mariposa was ruthlessly
and iniqutously despoiled by the Park reservation
the aim of the majority of the residents has been
to get some OF it back, at any rate to get some
good out of it. Here is a chance. An enterprise of
great value Is about starting up-an enterprise that
will benefit the Nation a whole. and Mariposa
In particular. The Nation Is asked by the pro-
moters TO give out OF what is now lying useless
concessions nothing like so great have been
given by private land along the line of the
new Valley railroad. The law makers of the Ma
tion, exercising the common-sense that private in
dividuals would use under similar circumstances,
will undoubtedly grant the concessions provided
in Senator Perkins bill.
The bill provides further that the company
shall have twenty acres for each of its station
sites. On this point our contemporary re-
marks:
It is sincerely to be hoped that the railroad peo-
pie will exercise the right to use twenty acres
every ten miles as station. Could anything be
more desirable in the way of opening up the coun-
try for settlement? II they find gold mine at
every stopping place along the road and operate It,
so much the better 1t all becomes taxable prop
erty and a source Of revenue to the county. On
Government lands outside the park a man
go and locate as many twenty-acre claims as he
likes, tying them up against settlement. 1t seems
preferable 10 give what in the aggregate will
amount TO not more than sixty acres, all told, of
the public estate for station uses and buildings 20
railway proposing to operate road through
country which, though picturesque, is now for the
most part, but little better than bowling wilder
ness.
Speaking generally of the duties of citizens
In the premises our exchange says:
Public sentiment should assist this Yosemite and
Merced Railroad Company In every way. When
new enterprise comes to this long-neglected dis
trict, Mariposans should meet 1t with no carping
or ungenerous reception. Petty details should not
be made a bone OF contention. Capitalists who are
bona fide helping to open up the marvellous nat
ural resources of Marposa should be made to feel
that they are welcome.
The Marin Press, published at Eastland,
Marin, County, gives some interesting iuforma-
ton concerning the operations of the Mill VAL
ley Sulphur Springs Company, which has re-
commenced operations on its property on Cor
nelia avenue. Our contemporary remarks
large and wide shaft has been sunk to a con-
siderable depth, and the suiphuric mud has been
found In large quantities, possessing wonderful
medicinal properties.
One weli-known doctor is quoted as saying that
the mud obtained in Mil Valley far excels that
found in Paso Robles, and If this is the case and
there Is no reason to doubt it, the Mil Valley mud
baths are going to prove a good thing.
The San Andreas Citizen gives some impor
tant news showing the interest which is being
taken in developing the water power now
going to waste in the Sierra. 1t says:
superintendent E. II. Brandt of the California
Development Company came up from San Fran
cisco Sunday evening. During the week he has
oeen inspecting mining properties and water power
In different portions OF the county.
1t is expected that the electric light ana
power plant will be in operation by October /.
Or this subject Mr.. Brandt said:
In building this plant we are not doing it with
a view OF making money; putting 1t up to
secure power for the development Of our mining
properties We will, Of course, sell many lights
and as much power as we can. but our charges will
De very small We will charge per horsepower 25
cents per day: arc lights 25 cents per day. and IS
candle-power incandescent lights will be but 81