Letter from R[obert] U[nderwood] Johnson to John Muir, 1892 Dec 8.

December 8th, 1892R. W. GILDER, EDITOR.R. U. JOHNSON,ASSOCIATE EDITOR. C. C. BUELASSISTANT EDITOR.John Muir, Esq.Martinez, California.Dear Mr. Muir-I send you herewith advance sheets of my editorial in the January Century, which will show you that I have got back to work again on the Yosemite question.I am now in communication with Secretary Noble to see what can practically be done in the way of a repeal of the grant of \u2764 in case the Legislature does not act promptly. It seems to me that you men in California who know most about the subject, ought now to be organizing and bestirring yourselves. I have written to Armes and can get no reply from him as to whether the Sierra Club will undertake the work of organizing public opinion. The enemies of recession will, of course, fight for time in the hope of another year\u27s pickings and stealings, but if you can only get one responsible man who is earnest about the matter, with whom I can communicate, I can give him the names of a large number of Californians who will help in the matter.Since this Topic was written, another special agent of the Interior Department has made his report, which is even more effective in our interest than Weigel\u27s letters quoted.01606 J.M.2.R. W. GILDER, EDITOR.R. U. JOHNSON,ASSOCIATE EDITOR. C. C. BUELASSISTANT EDITOR.in my editorial. Now, if you men will go to work and organize and appoint a committee to look after matters in Sacramento, after getting petitions, etc., the recession may be accomplished. General Bidwell writes me that he will aid. The men of Merced, Mariposa and Fresno counties ought to be communicated with, and a monster petition sent to the Legislature. As to who will bell the cat, you must determine. If I were a Calif ornian and on the ground, I should certainly do it, and I expect to help [illegible] at Washington as I can, for I have some influence through ray brother, who is a member of Congress from Indiana. Please look over the ground and go to work at once, as there is no time to be lost.I am very glad to say that my health was never better, apparently, than it is now.I am just about publishing a volume of poems , of which I will venture to send you a copy.I am glad to infer from your letter that you are well. We will let you off on the Alaska articles until after you have rescued the Yosemite and brought in a bill to reserve the King\u27s River region. These will shed additional lustre01404 J.M.3.R. W. GILDER, EDITOR.R. U. JOHNSON,ASSOCIATE EDITOR. C. C. BUELASSISTANT EDITOR.to your already glowing name.So good-bye, and may the Lord help you, or rather, may you help the Lord, in this matter.With regards to Mr. Muir,Faithfully yours,R. K. JohnsonBurroughs is in town for a fortnight, I wish you two men could meet