Omaha daily bee., 1883-06-19
THAT MAIL ROUTE.
What Senator Charles II. MantlersOp,
OF Nebraska, Has to Say
of IL.
Denver 'l'ribun,

Denver Tribune.
Senator Charles F. Manderson, of Ne
braska is at the Windsor en- route to the
mountains on short pleasure trip.
A reporter for The Tribune last night
called upon him, and was most cordially
received. Since Senator G. Fl. Van
Wycks election there has been anything
but harmony in the Nebraska delegation
in congress. owing to the fact that Sena-
tor Van Wyck, who was elected twyyeA
ago as ,lIl anti -monbpolist, although re
publican, could not see through the same
spectacles as Senator Saunders and Con
gresham Valentine, and at times there
have been open ruptures
Since the increase of the Nebraska
delegation, by the election of Congress
men Laird and Weaver and the success
sion of Senator Manderson to Senator
Saunders, there seemed to be more har-
mony existing, and everything was NOV
ing along smoothly until Congressman
Valentine and Senator Manderson peti-
toned for the establishment of post
route from Valentine, Nebraska, to
Deadwood. Then Senator Van Wyck
came out with an open letter to the post
Office department opposing the establish
ment of this route Notwithstanding
this, it had been established prior to this,
the contract let, and is now held in abey-
ance. Recently, on the 10Th inst, the
senator wrote another letter, charging
most serious things against "a portion of
the Nebraska delegation on this sub.
ject the reporter talked with Senator
Manderson.
The reporter urged upon Senator Man.
derson to give II statement to the public
of the facts connected with this difficulty.
He suggested that, while not desiring to
be interviewed he was always ready to
give any statement that might be of in
terest to readers of the public press, and
was disposed to submit with what grace
he could to the irrepressble interview
During the interview he stated: 81
joined Congressman Valentine in re-
quest to the postmaster-general that a
post-route be established from Fort Mo
brara, Nebraska, to Rapid City, Dakota.
Fort Niobrara is the nearest terminal rail-
road point to the Black Hills. -Four miles
from the fort is the newly located land
Office of Valentine. The country in that
vicinity is being very rapidly de-
veloped, and an immense immigration
is pouring into that part of the state.
Much complaint has been made, not only
by these settlers, but also by the popula-
ton of southwestern Dakota in regard to
their mail facilities. Understanding that
numerous petitions have been forwarded
to the postal department asking for the
establishment of this post route, and
learning from Congressman Valentine
that upon personal investigation he was
satisfied of the necessity of the new route,
] ioined him in the recommendation.
Senator Van Wyck, thinking undoubted-
ly that the establishment of another pos
tai line not advisable has made bitter op-
position to it. The matter is being, as |
understand it, fully investigated by the
postal department, and will be decided
ON its merits Since publicity has been
given to the matter through the public
press, have received much additional in
formation, and believe that the new route
will be decided To be, not only advisable
but necessity, for proper mail service
for that section. The country is un-
known to me personally, and my action
in recommending the route was based
upon unquestionably reliable information
received from others. OF course the
establishment of postal lines is made, not
by congressional delegations, but by the
postottice department, and to the execu-
tive officers of the government is left the
detail of letting and contracting. knew
nothing whatever of the matter of let
ting, and did not know what parties were
seeking to obtain the contract. Neither
was aware that the proposed new route
had been matter of discussion between
members of the Nebraska delegation in
conUress hpratofora -