, 1884-01-31
PARK
Important Steps to be Taken In Refer
n Q Thereto.
Significant Committee Meeting.

After thinking over the matter for
several years, in fact since the territory
was organized, the people Of Wyoming
territory have at last awakened to the
fact that it is necessary to take steps to
the end that the Yellowstone National
Park may not be wrested from the jur-
isdiction Of this territory and con-
signed to Montana for its custody and
supervision. This park, as our readers
well know, was set apart by an act Of
congress, following closely after that by
which an organic act was passed and
the territory of Wyoming given and
guaranteed a temporary government.
1t was 30 set apart as a national park
after the organization Of a territory,
but never became in any sense, a sep
arate and independent territorial sub
division, and has always been a portion
Of Wyoming and subject to its laws
and jurisdiction in every respect, the
same as any county or other sub-divis-
ion of the territory has been.
But the people of Montana have, for
a considerable period of time, had
their eyes on the park, and have longed
to possess the same, or at least to have
it attached to our northern neighbor.
For the past two years a strong pressure
has been brought to bear upon con-
gress by the Montana people, and their
friends, to have some action taken in
regard to this matter that would &C
complish the desired end. So great
was the pressure, in fact, hat at the
session of congress ending on the 4th
of March, 1883, the senate appointed a
committee, of which Senator Vest, of
Missouri, was chairman, to investigate
the condition of affairs in the park, as
certain the true condition of affairs,
and report at the present session of
congress. President Arthur himself,
accompanied by VA Secretary Lin
coin, accompanied Senator Vest on his
trip to hat region, whether he went
for the purpose of fulfilling the mission
imposed on him as a subcommittee of
one and as the representative and en-
missary Of the entire committee apoint-
ed for that purpose. Shortly after Ar
thur, Lincoln and Vest passed through
Cheyenne on their way to that region,
Delegate Post followed them through
to the park on the same trail they had
taken for The purpose, as he afterwards
expressed himself to the LEADER re-
porter, Of ascertaining personally and
for himself what they proposed doing
in reference to the subject. He did
not join the presidential party, but re-
turned the way he had come.
The committee of which the Mis-
souri, senator is chairman, is about to
make a report to the senate and will
undoubtedly make some recommends
tion which will embody a plan for the
government and direction of tne affairs
of the park.
The fact that this committee is about
to make its report has aroused the peo-
pie of the territory to the Importance
of moving at once, and as effectively as
~ Is POSSipio ~ wv, III oluei LhdL OuT
rights may not be invaded or taken
away from us altogether.
For the purpose of considering what
ought to be done, a committee OF both
houses of the Wyoming legislature,
consisting of Messrs. Babbitt and
Whittier of the council, and Repre-
sentatives Groesbeck, Nickerson and
Deloney, of the house, met last evening
in the house committee rooms. There
were present also by invitation, Chief
Justice Sener, Secretary Morgan and
Professor Bailey. Colonel Babbitt was
made the chairman of the meeting and
MI. Whittier secretary.
Quite a discussion, mostly of an IN
informal character, took place as to
what action ought to be taken in view
of the situation as it is now presented.
Prof. Bailey, on request, proceeded
to state at some length some facts in
regard to that region. He stated that
he vas familiar with the region and
that the portion of the park lying out
side of the actual boundaries of this
territory was of very little or no value;
that most, il not nearly all, of the fish
and game, in which the park is replete,
is located and found a long distance
south of the Montana boundary line,
etc. What was perhaps more impor-
tant is the fact that while to reach
Montana from the central or indeed
any other portion of the park proper,
you must in some way get over or
around an almost impossible barrier OF
mountains, whereas it is easy of access
from this way. The professor also ex-
planned many other matters of interest
concerning the park.
Secretary Morgan also made a few
remarks Of interest in regard to the
question, and was firmly of the opinion
that our rights to that region ought not
to be relinquished and that prompt and
concerted action, not only would there
be no attempt to dispossess Wyoming
Of its jurisdiction over the park, but
that the government would undoubted-
Iy render us whatever aid and assist,
ance we may require to provide for the
government and welfare Of the park.
Judge Sener made some very peril.
nent and sensible suggestions in regard
to the situation, as also did Messrs.
Babbitt, G~roesbeck and the other mem.
bers of the Joint committee.