The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1883-06-14
An Expensive Route.

/ open IeJtef was Yesterday addressed Il
General Gresham by Senator
Van Wyck, of Nebraska:
WAsHINGToN, ID. c., June G.
To Hon. Walter 6, Gresham. Postmaster,
General:
After your patient and courteous con-
sldeFation of nay route from Fit. Niobrara
TO Deadwood, I called upon L. man, as
you suggested, to explain that IN the
discussion of this matter, neither Sena-
tor Allison or any other senator claimed
that more than two daily lines were
| necessary to Deadwood, as there were
already two, one from Pierre on the Mis-
| souri, river, and the other from Sidney,
on the Union Pacific railroad, but
| that il new and better routes
opened, the department might
| avail itself of the better routes in pre-
| ference, but not in addition TO the old
ones, which proposition no one opposed.
Lyman desired that should leave with
the department q written statement.
Previous to your administration, and
during the last session of congress, a
resolution was adopted by the senate
calling upon the postmaster general "for
been asked for daily service from
Chamberlain, on the Missouri river, and
Fort NIobrara, Nebraska. to Deadwood,
Dakota. 1t they were new routes, the
distance OF each, if entirely through an
Indian country, and no whites
were residing therein, except those in
the. governments employ ?" He an
swered that "the postmasters at the ter
minus of each route advised it, that both
were new routes, the distance OF each
about 200 miles, that he had no knowl
edge of any white people residing along
the routes. The matter was fully dis
cussed IN the senate and referred TO the
postoffice committee, by whom the mat
ter was considered, and they concluded
not 10 repeal the law establishing the
routes, as it was not necessary, as the
postmaster general would order the SER
vice. Now, nothing further was heard
of the matter until the day before yester
day, when / was informed a contract
was made for daily service from Fort
NIobraro to Deadwood, because por
ton of the Nebraska delegation had
asked for 1t. There is no reason, and
three tourths of the people of Nebraska
will so state, that any of their delegation
in congress should ask this But this
bureau is more censurable, acting
upon and alleging such reasons, when II
has so dearly learned the weakness of
such a defense. / then desired to know |
If any public necessity justified the let |
ting. 1t was admitted that Deadwood |
needed no other facilities. II was not
claimed that the Sioux Indians. through
whose lands this line runs, were educat-
ed up Id the enjoyment of a daily mail.
The second reason urged was that one
delegation seriously assured them there
was large population in the region of
Fit. Nlobrara; that many of their friends
and neighbors had gone to Deadwood |
and would highly prize the advantages |
of daily mail; besides that, many more
of that population would probably go to
DeadwoOd when the stage route
was open through the wilderness,
and those they left behind |
would appreciate the letters carried by
the daily mail. 1t was not surprising
that a member of the delegation should |
attempt to amuse them with such fancy
tales also, knowing this same member of
the Nebraska delegation had Just as free
ly recommended a series of expeditions
ON one or more routes now on trial. and
appeared rs witness on their behalf.
But, in fact, as the present population
in that portion of Nebraska is scarce, we
are hoping it will be largely increased,
that it will come TO stay and not further
emigrate to Deadwood. If all their
mail matter went to Deadwood il could
be carried on horseback, for within
radius of so miles, including the Office
the various offices will not
exceed $3.50 quarterly. However, their
business is in the south and east and not
with Deadwood, and it seems incredible
that the contract office, which a few
years ago was reorganIZed expressly to
fine the delinquent and punish offenders
and protect the people from wanton
depredations, should so have Allotted
their zeal and revived the abuses they
we're supposed to abolish iu a new and
more dangerous form, by believing and
acting upon such statements to the ex-
tent OF letting route which was more
unblushing fraud than those they had
exposed. The few letters for Deadwood
will not suffer by delay in reaching
there by rail via Pierre. The few set
tiers in that portion of Nebraska,
will smile at the willingness of this
bureau, and its kindly solicitude for their
convenience by the establishment of
daily stage line through Indian lands at
yearly expense of $13, goo ""Twas ever
thus" Every scheme of plumber in the
west is always based upon consideration
of the settler. That was the old star
route cry. The same generous considera-
ton to the remaining population in that
state would bankrupt the treasury In
one year. The bureau must real
lie that no proper excuse can
be found for this wrong in the
entreaty of8 portion of the Nebraska del
egation, in a false statement of one of
them or their own ignorance of facts
which they should have known before as
Stunning TO act. With ali their ignorance
they cannot be mistaken IN the fact, that
this line was established almost exclu-
sively in the interest and for the benefit
of railroad. If this aid to said COM
pany would cheaper by single farthing
the expectation of grain or meat to the
| farmers of Nebraska some excuse
would be afforded to that portion of the
delegation referred to by Strong and the
| grain councillors. This contract is let TO
John r. Miner, now on trial for star
route fraud, with another star route de-
| PENDANT, Vale. also now on trial as sure
| ty, and If this contract is secured to him
the department should ask his acquittal
from the present indictment With
compliments and thanks, yours respect
fully, @. Fl. VAN WICK.