, 1888-01-13
ELECTION OF LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.

tive assembly, are elected fourteen months before the meet
ing of the body to which they are elected. This is con-
trary to the confirmed policy of nearly all the states and
territories, and L am unable to find any reasonable argu-
ment in its favor. In looking at this question, 1t is neither
necessary to approve nor condemn the causes which
brought it about. The qestions today are: Does it meet
the approval of the people of the territory ? Is it for the best
interests of Wyoming now? In a new country like this with
new interests, and new questions of development, finance
and public policy, arising almost every day; the members
elected fourteen months before their services are required,
need not be in harmony with the Legislative demands, at
the time they take the oath of office, and still not be nm
faithful to the trust reposed in them. 1t is supposed that
members are elected to represent certain principles and Sc
cure certain enactments, deemed necessary at the time of
their election but it is not at all certain that the same
principles will prevail, or that the then contemplated legis-
laion will meet the wants of their constituents, when as
sembled in legislative halls. 1t may be advanced that the
members elect have fourteen months to %acquaint them
selves with the legislative requirements of their constituents;
but men are much more likely to understand what is re-
dulred OF them, when elected upon the issues of thr hour.
There are three ways to bring about a change so that the
legislative assembly shall be elected in the November pre-
ceding the meeting of that body.
First BY congressional action authorizing, and max
ing appropriation for the regular session of the next legisla-
ture in January, 1889, one year from the present time, and
every two years thereafter. This would not change our
elections, but only the meetings of the assembly. Unless
Congress should authorize this change, and make provision
for 1t, it could not de done.
Second. By allowing three years to elapse before the
meeting of the next legislative assembly, which would be
election IN November, 1890. This would also require Con
gressional action.
Third. By changing the time of electing members of
the Eleventh Legislative Assembly, from November, 1883,
to November, 1889, and every two years thereafter. This
can DE done without any congressional action, and is wholly
IN your hands. The election of members of the legislature
would by this method, be in the years when there was no
general election for county officers, except one county COM
missioner in each county, if the districts shall be created
BY this method the whole attention of the people would be
given to these very important elections, and men would
vote without being swayed to and fro by other interests rep
resented through the candidacy of the other county officers
and a delegate to Congress. Members of the legislature
would then be elected upon the direct legislative issues
affecting the various localities, and would be much more
likely to represent the true convictions and desires of
their constituents. The question of extra expenses would
now be very small, and as nothing compared with the good
results which would follow.
IMMIGRATION BUREAU.
The time seems favorable for Wyoming to make an
organized effort to secure a fair share of those looking west
ward for homes and business locations, and this can be best
accomplished by the creation of an Immigration Bureau.
What the people desire who are seeking homes and new
locations, and business pursuits, is reliable official informa-
ton to guide them in making such choice. Through a bu-
reau of Immigration every portion of the territory could be
advertised, and the many and varied resources detailed and
described touching the public lands, private lands, mineral,
coal, oil, soda, marble, etc. The producing power of the
soil, with the current prices paid for such productions, are
important features. The opportunities for securing govern
ment land, and the various methods by which this can be
accomplished, could all be made known in such a manner
as to attract attention to the desirability of settlement in
Wyoming. The railroad companies would gladly assist in
amovement of this nature, and would become important
factors in making it a success. believe through some or
gained effort, the population would double in three years.
FIRE coRoNERs.
L invite your attention to a communication received
Monitor, published in New York, touching the question of
enacting a law making the coroners of each county "Fire
Coroners." In the November issue of the Monitor, herewith
submitted, the editor presents the question with the draft of
a law: "For the creation of inquests on fires, and the accu-
mutation and reporting of fire statistics" x
'The purview and the duties of coroners shall be extended to
include casualties to property by fire, and the laws now ex-
listing which make it imperative upon coroners to attend in
cases of death shall be applicable in cases of fire. There
seems to be good reasons for a law of this kind, so that the
examinations of all fires, CROOKED and straight alike
would at once take place, and while all the attending cir
cumstances were fresh and susceptible of record proof
An honest man would not fear, but rather court an imme-
diate investigation, and a dishonest man with a certainty of
an immediate official investigation, as to the origin and cause
of a fire, might be deferred from the commission of a crime.
A law of this character would act as a security to property,
and would materially aid in reducing the rates of fire insu-
rance, because of this security. In placing the additional
duties upon the coroners, no new offices would be created
and no new machinery would be required to make the law
effective.
ARBoR DAY.
| transmit herewith a pamphlet by B. G. Northrup,
LII. d., Clinton, Connecticut, entitled "Arbor Day, its His
tory and aims, and How to Secure Them" accompanied
by a brief letter asking that this subject be brought to your
attention. Arbor Day is a child of Nebraska, followed by
Kansas, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Colorado, Wisconsin,
West Virginia, Indiana, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massa-
cshusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, Georgia and
five other states. Every argument in favor of tree planting
in Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado, will apply with greater
force to Wyoming. 1 cordially commend this subject to
VOur consideration bp1invinp that in tbis uoy r,,,ob, NOV ho