subsistence, being for them, in fact, neither home nor hunting ground; its acknowledged existence as an Indian reservation but imperils the lives of honest and industrious miners and settlers, the most valuable of citizens, who are engaged in the noble but hazardous work of transforming idle wastes. into future profitable states and productive communities, which shall contribute to the power and prosperity of the nation. Your memorialists would still further represent to your Wind River, excellency that the Wind river and Papo Agie valleys lie in Valley. close proximity to the Sweetwater mining districts, a portion of which is included in the southern part of the reservation of the Shoshones, that the said mining district is composed of an industrious and enterprising population,. numbering not less than two thousand souls, engaged principally in developing what is known to be one of the most valuable and extensive gold producing sections in the United States, and these miners depend exclusively on the Papo Agie and Wind River valleys for their supplies of vegetables, and subsistence for their horses, mules and cattle. The existence of the Wind River reservation and Reservation, the continual threats of expelling settlers from the valleys above mentioned, tends largely to retard the progress and complete development of this most valuable portion of this. territory. Therefore, and for other numerous reasons of a similar character, your memorialists pray your excellency to cause to be abrogated that treaty between the United: States and the Shoshone Indians, concluded at Fort Bridger, July 3, 1868, and cause to be removed and located elsewhere, the said Indians, to the end that the tract of territory lying between the Sweetwater river and Owl creek may be re-opened for the preemption and settlement by bona-fide citizens of the United States; and as in duty bound, your memorialists will ever pray. Resolved, by the Council and House of Representatives of Resolution. the Territory of Wyoming, That an authenticated copy of this memorial be forwarded to the Hon. S. F. Nuckolls, delegate in congress from the territory of Wyoming, who is hereby respectfully requested to present the same to his excellency the President of the United States. Approved, December 10, 1869. Memorial. CHAPTER 91. MEMORIAL. To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives, in Congress assembled: Your memorialists, the legislative assembly of the territory of Wyoming, would respectfully represent that the compensation now allowed by the general government, for members of the legislative assembly of this territory, is but four dollars per diem, a sum totally inadequate to meet the expenses of members attending sessions; the cost of living in this territory is, perhaps, greater than that of any other state or territory in the union. Your memorialists would further represent that day laborers in the greater number of cases in the territory, and in every case in the mining districts, receive five dollars per day, and store clerks from one hundred to one hundred and fifty dollars per month, in occupations which are unattended with the expenses, accompanying members of the legislature who are compelled to neglect their occupations and professions at home to journey Compensation, to the capitol for the purpose of attending to the interests of the public; and in order to obtain good and reliable men for this branch of the public service, it would prove economical to offer such compensation as would enable them to live comfortably, without actual loss to themselves while serving their constituents. Your memorialists would further represent, that the compensation of members of Colorado legislative assembly has been increased by your honorable [body] to six dollars per diem, and that the actual cost of living in this territory, exceeds that of our older settled sister territory of Colorado. Therefore, your memorialists believing your honorable body will see and acknowledge the justice and necessity of this memorial, respectfully request that the relief asked in this case be granted, and your memorialists as in duty bound will ever pray, etc. Be it Resolved; That a copy of this memorial be forwarded by the Hon. Edward M. Lee, secretary of Wyoming, to the Hon. S. F. Nuckolls, our delegate in congress, who is hereby requested to bring the subject matter of this petition before the senate and house of representatives of the United States, in congress assembled. Approved, December 10, 1869. Resolution, CHAPTER 92. MEMORIAL. To the Honorable John A. J. Cresswell, Post Master Your memorialists, the legislative assembly of the territory of Wyoming, would respectfully represent that the Sweetwater mining district of this territory, is one of the most valuable and most rapidly improving portions of Wyoming, that large additions to the population, and extensive additions of permanent capital from both eastern and western cities are constantly being made to that portion of the county, and that the development of that valuable district. is largely retarded in consequence of insufficient mail facilities between South Pass and the Union Pacific railway. The business and resources of the Sweetwater district are of the most permanent and enduring character, with every probability of largely increasing for many years in the future, and it is the belief of your memorialists that it is the avowed policy of the present administration to encourage the development of the mining resources of the country, and we would further represent that one of the most effective and certain means by which the general government can open "the strong box" of mineral wealth of the west, is to afford the necessary mail facilities to mining regions. The triweekly mail service during the past year between Bryan on Memorisi. Mail facilities. Mineral wealth. the Union Pacific railroad and South Pass having proven totally inadequate to the wants of the people in the Sweetwater mining district, compelling them to rely to a large extent and at great cost on express monopolies for communication with the east and west, and learning that the department had not intended to increase the service on this route; Therefore, your memorialists would respectfully ask for the Daily service establishment of a daily mail service from Bryan or some other point on the Union Pacific railroad to South Pass City, Wyoming territory. And as in duty bound your memorialists will ever pray. Approved 10th December, 1869. Memorial. Capitol building, Renta. CHAPTER 93. A MEMORIAL TO CONGRESS PRAYING FOR AN APPROPRIATION TO ERECT A To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives Your memorialists, the legislative assembly of the territory of Wyoming, respectfully ask that an appropriation be made by your honorable bodies for the erection of a capitol building at the seat of government of said territory, and would urge in support of this memorial. That the buildings now used and occupied by the legislative assembly are wholly unsuitable and unfit for such purposes-that said buildings and those used by the several federal officers of this territory, are in separate parts of the city, and rented from private individuals, and are wooden tenements, in all respects unsafe and liable at any time to be destroyed, together with their valuable contents. That the legislative, executive and judicial records, files, libraries, furniture and other valuables, are, at all times, in consequence liable to injury and total destruction, and we regard their preservation of the most vital importance to our infant territory. That the rent now paid (which must increase as the value of property increases) for the several offices, the executive and secretary's, United States marshal, district attorneys, United States court-room and legislative halls, would, in a very few years, pay the expense of erecting a suitable building for the accommodation of the various federal officers and legislative assembly, and therefore the expenditure of a sum for the purpose above mentioned would be an absolute, economy. Your memorialists regard this matter as of the greatest importance to "Wyoming," and would therefore, most earnestly but respectfully pray that an appropriation of not more than forty-five thousand dollars be made for the purpose above stated. And your memorialists, as in duty bound will ever pray. Appropriation Resolved, That our delegate in congress be respectfully Resolation. requested to bring the subject of this memorial to the immediate attention of congress, and use all honorable means to bring about the asked for appropriation. Approved, December 10, 1869. CHAPTER 94. MEMORIAL. To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, in Congress assembled: Your memorialists, the legislative assembly of Wyoming Memorial. territory, would earnestly, but respectfully represent that the salaries now allowed our chief justice and his associates from the United States, is altogether inadequate for their maintenance or support. We would also represent that officers of a like character receive the same compensation in older and more wealthy territories than this is, and where the necessaries of life are much cheaper than here. Your memorialists would recommend that an appropriation be made by congress at its present session for the purpose of increasing the 'salaries of these officers from twenty-five hundred dollars their present salary, to thirty-five hundred Judge palaries. |