The record-union., 1897-10-15
TRIUMPH OF THE YOSEMITE ROAD
PROPOSITION.

The Record Union" believed firmly
in the ultimate success of the PROPOSE
ton to memorialize the Federal Govern
ment to construct a model good road
into the Yosemite Valley over its own
reserve lands, when it prepared and cir
culated the petitions to that end.
1t has every day become more and
more satisfied with the justice, high
value and great benefcence of the prop
osition; it's own judgment has been con-
firmed by the unanimous Endorsement
of the press of the State. To this date
but two journals of any prominence
have suggested so much as a doubt of
the desirability and feasibility Of the
proposition.
But one open and expressed opponent
to the proposal has developed, and he
placed his contention mainly upon
selfish and local basis, namely, that the
old toll roads should be purchased and
that some roads into the valley should
have a trend southwark. that people of
Southern California may enter the val
ley over less mileage. Happily, how
ever the people realize that the propo-
sition is not local one; not one in
tended to benefit the few but the many,
and that it contemplates stimulation of
tourist travel to the valley, an easy and
short route for the largest possible num-
Der of our own people, and the promo
ton by object lesson teaching of good
road building in California generally.
In an article in another column of
this paper it viii be seen that the Com
mittee of the Yosemite Commission ap-
pointed to consider the matter, and the
Commissioners of the Department of
Highways, after a long consideration
and animated debate, and after personal
inspection by Commissioners Ashe and
Price of the Department of Highways,
have decided that it would be wasteful,
unwise and altogether wrong to advise
the Federal Government to purchase the
old toll roads leading to the San Joaquin
Valley from Yosemite, but that it
would be wise, right, economic and
beneficial to all the people for Congress
to order the construction of a model
wagon road over the Federal Reserve
and into the Yosemite Valley. The con-
ference decided that Congress ought to
be memorialized or otherwise moved up
on to that end.
Here then we have two powerful
bodies approving the plan embodied in
the petitions the Record Union sent
out, and which with redoubled emphasis
we again urge the people everywhere to
sign and forward to this office prior 10
the 18th OF November, that Congress
man De vries, who is heartily pushing
the matter, may present the same to
the House Immediately on the assem-
bling of Congress on the 9th of Decem-
Der.
Let the petitions be so freely signed
and so thoroughly circulated that Mr..
De Vries will be compelled TO provide an
extra trunk to hold the mammoth ap-
peal of the people of California Tens
of thousands of signatures ought to be
attached to the petitions; there cannot
be too many. The memorial voices the
sentiment of all thoughtful citizens of
California who have considered it, and
it ought to bear the names of every one
of these, and of as many more who have
not yet given the matter thought as can
be reached between this date and the
18th of November
We believe that the triumph of the
Yosemite free wagon road proposition
is at hand It needs now only the hearty,
generous and outspoken approval of the
citizens of the State through their me
mortal.