The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-10-13
Why General Sheehan Re-
signed From the Yosem-
ite Commission.
J, J. Lermen Was Quickly APP
pointed Secretary and
Treasurer.
Matters of Natures Big Park Dis
oussed-Good Roads Talk but
No Action.

For two days the Yosemite Commits
sioners have been in session and the m ost
important thing that was done was the
dismissal of John f. Sheehan, the secre-
tary and treasurer, and the appointment
of J. ]. Lermen to the position. While the
matter came formally before the commits
sion in the manner of a resignation by the
incumbent it really amounted to dis
missal OF political nature in order to
make room for Mr.. Lermen, who is a law
yer in the office of the new ommissioner,
w. W. Foote. On Monday Mr.. Sheehan
began to see that his continuance in the
place was decidedly uncertain, and rather
than TO make protest he concluded to
quietly resign. This decision was no
doubt induced by the fact that he saw that
the Democrats OF the board had majo
lily, Commissioners Johnson and Givens
being out of town, and he had only three,
Clinch, Ostrander and Goldberg, while the
Democrats had the majority IN the Gov
ernor. Kenney, Wallace and Foote. Gen.
eral Sheehan's resignation is to take effect
on January l.
During the two days session there has
been considerable discussion about the
roads leading to the Yosemite Valley,
Messrs. Ashe and Price of the Bureau of
Highways being present at both sessions.
Congressman de Vries was also guest
with the olher two and he took lively
interest in the discussions on this matter.
These three gentlemen expressed them
selve s in favor of the Federal Government
building great road into the valley along
the MERGED River. Also that the Govern
ment should construct the Tioga road
over the mountains into Mono County ana
give an outlet into the State of Nevada.
OF course this refers only to that portion
controlled by the Government in the ma
tiona1 park and other Federal reserva-
lions.
Commissioner Wallace was opposed to
this plan, stating that such a thorough
fare would not accommod the people
OF the southern parts of the State. Some
of the Commissioners were in favor of the
purchase OF the three tollroads, but there
was no decision, and the matter was laid
over for consideration at some future date.
Guardian Miles Wallace called attention
to the sale OF liquor in the valley, and
said at the present time Mrs. Cavagnaro.
who keeps store there, is causing much
trouble by selling liquor to the laborers OF
the valley. These fellows occasionally go
on some wild sprees and terrify the camp
ing tourists in the valley. 1t took but lit
tie time to decide that hereafter there will
be no more firewater sold there except by
the hotel-keepers. end then only to the
tourists.
At the previous meeting the member
of the Sierra Club made application to
construct building in the valley, to be
sort of headquarters and library and
resting place, where tourists could obtain
information regarding the mountains and
valleys. Commissioners Wallace and
Foote were appointed to look into the
matter.
Under the present Federal regulations
| sheepmen are forbidden from driving or
allowing thoir herds to Craze in the
national park. Com Missioner Ostrander
presented letter that he intends to send
| to the Secretary of the Interior asking
that this regulation be revoked, and he
requested the Com missioners to indorse
the letter. Mr.. Ostrander Is a sheep
raiser of forty years standing, and the
reasons he presented in support of his re-
quest was that in all parts of the country
where sheep are allowed to Craze there is
less danger of forest and grass fires as
the animals devour nearly all vegetation
in their paths. No action was taken in
the matter, as the proposition was not
favorablv received.
Commissioners Kenney, Clinch and
cote were appointed a committee to con-
suit with the mem bers OF the Bureau of
Highways upon the matter of sprInkling
the roads leading into the Yose mite Val
ced River in the valley.