The Evening critic., 1883-06-08

senntor Van wyck's spicy letter 9,
liz. nns t.,an .flntLnraI

the Observation-Disclosures
The Washington Post this morning says
Senator Van Wyck has written spicy
letter to the Postmaster.G General In relation
tc the route from Fort Niobrara to Dead
wood. After stating that the Postmaster
General had given a patient and courteous
consideration of the route Senator Van
Wyck states that he explained to Mr.. Wy
man what occurred in the Senate last win
ter. No Senator claimed that more than
the two routes already in operation were
necessary to Deadwood, but that if better
routes offered, the Department could avail
themselves of them, but not in addi-
tion to the old ones This PROPOSE
tion no one opposed The former
Postmaster-General, when asked by the
Senate for detailed information as to why
proposals had been asked for daily service
from Chamberlain, on the Missouri River
and Fort Niobrara, Neb to Deadwood,
Oak, answered that postmasters at the
termini of each route advised it; that both
were new routes distance of about 200
miles; that he had no knowledge of any
white people residing along the route
Senator Van Wycl1 says the matter was
fully discussed in the Senate, referred to
the Postoi1ice Committee by whom the
matter was considered. and they concluded
the repeal of the law establishing the
routes was not necessary, as the Postmaster
General would not order the service, now
that the facts were manifest. Senator Van
WyclS's letter then proceeds as follows :"
Nothing, further .was heard OF the matter
until day before yesterday, when I was IN
formed that contract was made for daily
service from Fort Niobrara to Deadwood first,
because a portion of the Nebraska delegation
had asked for It,
Alter the bitter and costly experience of
the last two years; first, In tho money stolen
by fraudulent Star Route service and the
money now being taken In reckless and
ex,tovaeant expshditure arr1c In their prose
gress, and one OF the defenses to the
Indictment is, that they were so recon-
mended. We could not believe that the con.
| tract bureau would now seek shelter behind
| that excuse. There is no reason, aud three
fourths OF the people of Nebraska will 80 state,
| that any of their delegation in Congress should
| ask this; but this bureau is more censurable,
| acting upon and alleging such reasons, when
| it has so dearly learned the weakness Of such
| defensc
/ then desired to know If any public neces-
| siiy justified the letting.
| 1t was admitted Deadwood needed no other
| facilities. 1t was claimed that the Sioux
| Indians, through whose lands this line runs,
| were educated up to the enjoyment OF daily
| mail. Tho second reason urged was that one
| of the delegation seriously assured them that
there was large population In the region OF
Fort Niobrara that many of their neighbors
| and friends had gone to Deadwood aud would
| highly prize the advantages OF a daily mall.
Besides this, many moro of that population
would probably go to Deadwood when stage
line was opened through the wilderness, and
| those they left behind would appreciate q let
ter carried by daily mail.
| 1t was not surprising that member of the
delegation should attempt to amuse them
| with such fairy tales, also knowing this same
member of the Nebraska delegation had Just
| as freely recommended service or expedition
on ono or more OF the routes now on trial,
and appeared as witness on their behalf.
But In fact, at present, the population In
| that portion of Nebraska is sparse: wo are
hoping 1t will be largely increased; that 1t
Will come to stay and not further emigrate to
Deadwood. II all their mall matter went to
Deadwood 1t could be carried on horseback,
for within radius OF fifty miles, including
the office at the fort, the net receipts from the
various ofllces will not exceed $3.50 quarterly.
| Their business Is South and East, and not
with Deadwood, aud It seems incredible
that the contract office, which few years ago
was reorganized expressly to ferret out de.
the people from wanton depredations, should
so soon have abated their zeal, and revived
the abuses they were supposed to abolish,
lieving and acting upon such statements, to
the extent of letting route which was more
unblushing fraud than those It had exposed.
| The few letters for Deadwood Will not suffer
by the delay in reaching there by rail via
Pierre. The few settlers In that portion OF
Nebraska will smile at the willingness of this
bureau, its kindly solicitude for their conven.
fence, by daily four.horse stage line, 20O
miles through Indian lands, at yearly ex'
I
scheme Of plunder In the West is always based
upon consideration OF the settler. That was
the old Star.Route cry. The same gen
erous consideration to the romainlRg popu
lation In that State would bankrupt the
Treasury In one year. The bureau must
realize that no proper excuse can be found for
this wrong, In the entreaty OF a portion Of the
Nebraska delegation, in the false statement OF
one OF them, or their own ignorance OF facts
which they should have known before assum
Ing TO act. With all their ignorance, they can.
not be mistaken in the fact that this line wa;
established almost exclusively In the interes
and for the benefit of the railroad. L
this aid to the said company would
cheaper by a single farthing the trans porta
tion OF grain or meat TO the farmers OF Nebras
ka, some excuse would be Afforded TO tina
portion Of the delegation referred to. BY
strange and grim coincidence this contract Il
let to John Il. Minor, now and for two year.
on trial for StarRoute frauds with auothe
Star-Route defendant, Mr.. Vale, also on trial
as security) and II this contract is secured T.
him the Department should ask his acqultta
from the present indictment, with compli
| mantS nnl tlauka