[1][letterhead]Historian [Mazamas?]April 2. 1896.John Muir EsqPresident Sierra ClubSan Francisco Cal.Dear SirA determined effort is now being made in Congress to restore threefourths of the Cascade Range Forest Reserve to public entry. The entire Oregon delegation headed by Senator Mitchell favors the reopening of the reserve. The move is being made solely in the interest of the sheep men.Judge Bellinger of the United States Circuit Court is one of several influential men here who are strongly opposed to any encroachments on the Reserve and he is able personally to reach the President and thus checkmate the proposed move. He desires to obtain the views of any prominent men who are at all02076 [2]interested in the subject.One extract from your Mountains of California has already been quoted and will reach the President\u27s eye. But I venture to ask knowing your warm interest in the matter that you will address a communication to the President setting forth your views on the subject and reasons for the protection of the Reserve. Or in case you feel any delicacy in addressing the President personally a letter addressed to Judge Bellinger or to me will reach him (through the Judge) with equal certainty.I am not certain whether you were ever officially notified of your election at the first annual meeting of the Mazamas as the first Honorary member of the Society. If not it was due to the change of Secretaries and [letterhead][3]2I fear that I am to blame for the omission.The other Honary Members are Prof. Le Conte Prof Candon, Prof Davidson and General Greely.The next outing of the Society is to be at Crater Lake and if you have not already been officially communictaed with by the present Secretary you will shortly hear from him further in reagrd to it.Yours very trulyT. Brook White.N.B. The fact that Senator Mitchell is connected by marriage with one of the prinicipal sheep ranchesr of Eastern Oregon may - or may not have any bearing on his present attitudes in regard to the Reserve.0207
