The San Francisco call., 1905-01-25

that sentiment should have nothing to
do with the question he held con-
trary opinion. 1t was sentiment, ne
concluded, that had established many
of the greatest institutions of the
State and the nation and when
the hour arrived when sentiment
should no longer prevail it would be
a dark hour for the people.
Senator Charles NJ. Shortridge had
received a petition signed by many in
fuential societies, institutions and cit
izens of his district asking that he
support the bill for recession. note
on the bottom of the petition, saying
that it had been procured in an hour,
aroused the Senator's suspicion, how
ever, and while he indirectly opposed
the measure with all his logic and
oratory he took advantage of the oc-
casion to roast without restraint his
constituent that should dare to get
so speedy as to procure petition IN
an hour. In talking against the Dill
Shortridge ran the gamut of history
from the day Webster replied to
Hayne on the rights of States and
wound up with a blaze Of metaphor
that entwined.- in his rhetoric the
golden sands, the golden sun, the
golden poppy and the golden haired
maids of the West, all of which, ne
said, cry out against recession and he
stands with them.
Senator Hahn spoke in favor of the
measure, closing the morning session.
WOLFE TAKES FLOOR.
Wolfe opened the afternoon session,
speaking against the BILL He raised
the point that the Legislature cannot
constitutionally re-cede the valley, for
IL was a gift to the State in trust and
the question of recession must be Sub
mitted to the people at the polls. for
decision He would not for one, he
said, confess that California was too
poor to properly maintain the Yosemite
and hence he was unalterably opposed
to the bill.
Selvage followed Wolfe, presenting
an argument against recession, senti-
ment not being overlooked by him.
Senator Irish of Downieville followed
in favor of the bill and he placed a
new construction on the sentiment
question that won the first applause OF
the day. In part he said:
AS chairman of the committee Of which a
lieye 1 should give you the Views that caused
US to recommend IL for passage. We reached
the conclusion that the Government at wash
the people and by the people, Is the
greatest Government on earth and that all
the blessings we enjoy we receive either di-
rectly or indirectly from that Government. We
believe that the head of this Government is at
Washington. not at Sacramento, and we resent
the imputation that the Government at Wash
ington would take any action that would be
Incompatible with our inter0ts We owe allie
gience first to the United States of America,
second TO California and this question of senti-
ment finds small favor with u.s. We know that
IL the Yosemite Valley is re-ceded II will not
be taken from us; that II will still be located
within the confines of our glorious State. But
we feel that the greater wealth Of the United
States will permit the quicker developmnt OF
California would like to see installed In the
valley.
Senator Curtin closed the days de-
bate He used the same argument
against the recession bill he advanced
on the day the question was argued
in committee. He grilled the military
rule OF government reservation and
closed his argument with quotations of
law he said would prevent the State
receding the valley. But If they are
set aside without right, he concluded,
title to lands now vested in private
owners in the valley will fall and great
injustice will be done
At the conclusion of his argument
Coggins moved that the discussion of
the bill go over for q week. Belshaw
seconded the motion and on roll call
it carried. Within the week to come
before the bill is taken UP there is
going to be some politics done. The
result will be awaited with interest.
The BIN VIII come up on special order
on February 2.
After the debate on the bill to re-
cede the Yosemite to the National COP
ernment the Senate took up it's regular
order of business. The Joint Assembly
resolution memorializing California's
Representatives In Congress to work
for the passage OF bill to reimburse