Weekly Arizona journal-miner., 1908-03-25
Santa Fe Trying Hard
To Dust Cameron
From Possession
Mandamus Proceedings
Latest Step In 10
Year Fight
tFrom Saturdays Daily

The fight for the possession Of Bright
Angel trail, in the Grand Canyon re.
gion, which has been the subject Of
legal proceedings in the district court
Of Coconino county. the supreme court
Of the Territory, the local land Office
and general land office Of the United
States in Washington. and which has
furnished issues in several Coconino
county campaigns for ten years past,
as well rs being the subject Of legisla.
tive action at the las, session of the
Territorial Legislature, * again before
the Territorial supreme court, the
Santa Fe Railroad company having In.
stituted mandamus proceedings against
the district attorney Of Coconino coun.
~ TO compel him 10 institute quo war.
wauto proceedings against Ralph Cam.
eron TO determine his right TO exercise
toll road franchise on the trail
Cameron's franchise was granted by
the board Of supervisors Of Cocouino
county in accordance with an act of
the last Legislature, known as the
"Trail bill" The ease is set for hear
ing in the supreme court, March %.
District Attorney Henry +. Ashurst
Of Coconino county, was requested sew
eral weeks ago by agents Of the Santa
Fc TO institute suit against Cameron
10 determine his toll road rights "a
the trail. lie declined to comply with
the company's wishes, stating in effect
that he was convinced. from lcga
standpoint. that Cameron was within
! his rights. His refusal resulted in Thu
institution Of the mandamus proceed
ings.
Since tae legal battle for possession
Of the trail started in 1898, Cameroi
has won every slut instituted agains
him, with the exception Of one whie
he instituted himself 10 collect dan
ages ON an injunction bond. This cas-
was decided in favor of the defendan
railroad company on legal tcchnica
ity.
1 District Attorney Ashurst and Can
eron are now in Washington, 80 that
is impossible for them 10 be present
the supreme court in Phoenix, Mare
%. Attorney General Clark will al
pear for Asnurst, 10 ask for conti'
uance Of the hearing until the arriv'
home Of the latter from the nations
eapitoI. Attorney General Clark vi
|, not appear otherwise in the proeee
. ings.
Cameron is in Washington on bus
ness connected with the issuance
| patents TO him from the general iai
= Office for mineral holdings he owns
f. the vicinity Of the Bright Angel ira
: in the Grand Canyon. He ~ ben
: bitterly opposed in this by the ia
0 road's attorneys, M was his .ieet''
/ | 10 the once ol Suf''N'"'' -
7 county. some years ago, when J.
G Bright Angel trail was the paraihou
( issue of the campaign. Cameron W
elected for the four year term
I eeiving more votes than any o'her ca
didate for supervisor, and proving
n yond doubt that the majority oil
o voters of his county sympathile wi
h him in his fight for ais rights agar
n the Santa Fe.
e District Attorney Ashurst Is
e Washington opposing the pasS0
through Congress of what Is known
the Smoot bill, which provides Tor
establishment Of an enormous ga
nreserye. north of the Grand Cany
= in Coconino county, and the eSeius
10 of all stock from grazing within
30 confines.
IN Attorney =. NJ. Doe, OF fl"g'u
b, Cameron counsel, is also IN Nasn'
10 ton. .
=