, 1907-01-09

1906 n band of renegade Indians from
the White River reservation In the
state of Utah made their appearance
In Wyoming. Their number was estl,
mated at from W to five hundred. in,
ending squaws and children. They
were heavily armed, wen supplied with
ammunition, and had in their posses.
sion several hundred head of ponies.
During the summer and early fall they
traVersed the entire width of the state:
n while disclaiming M intention
OF doing wrong or committing acts of
treSpass, they did, as a matter of fact,
slaughter large quantities OF antelope
and other game in direct and fragrant
violation of our game laws; killed
some stock belonging to ranchmen on
the open range, and begged and for
aged from ranches with IMMUNITY. The
presence of an armed band of Indians
in the state caused great uneasiness,
and frequent communications were re-
ceiyed from different localities, re.
questing that something be done ; o
get rid of them. Being the holders of
allotments, made on their reservation
in Utah, they claimed all the rights
and privileges of citizens of the United
''h''Hp P'"' o''lltl ubSOlultll NlllDIt
to comprehend that thai very citizen.
ship carried with it certain grave re-
sponsibilities. The Indian department
earnestly endeayored to induce them
to return to their reservation. This
they fatty refused to do. A new ques.
ton, without precedent in the history
of this state or Union, confronted the
national and state officials. This large
band of armed and mounted Indians
roaming at will, with little regard for
property rights, were full-nedged Am,
ericap citizens, and the Indian depart
ment could not use force to compel
them to return to their reservation.
As they were not our Indians, it was
finally deemed advisable to call upon
the president for federal troops to re-
move them from the state, a p~recaution
which seemed necessary for the full
protection of our people, and the gem
eral welfare of the Indians themselves,
as a few years ago a similar invasion
by a small band of Sioux in the coun-
ty of Converse resulted in violence
and the loss of life. The President
took instant action upon my call for
federal troops, and the Indians were
removed to Fort Meade.
Some legislation is requested to pre-
vent the recurrence of such disturb
ances. Possibly legislation authorizing
the arrest and prosecution of armed
bands of this character, as an unlawful
assembly, might " the point, still
| would recommend that the legisla-
ture, by resolution, memorabilia Con-
gress to take some appropriate action
governing the civil status of Indians.
who, by the mere incident of being
arlottees, are clothed with a citizen
ship, which their condition renders
impossible to exercise in a responsible
manner.
Revised Statutes.
Since the revision of the statutes in
1899, there have been three sessions
of the legislature, the laws of which
are published in separate volumes, and
another volume will be added contain.
ing the laws to be passed at the pres.
e n session. Numerous changes in
the statutes have and will be made.
There seems to be a necessity, there.
fore, for bringing together into one
volume the existing statutes. Instead,
however, of another revision of the
statutes, which might result in a re.
arrangement of subjects, chapters and
divisions which is deemed undesirable
for several reasons: it seems that a
better plan would be a compilation of
the existing statutes to include the
laws OF the present session and the
one to follow in 1909, keeping to the
arrangement of subjects, divisions and
chapters adopted in the revision of
1899, with which those accustomed to
consult the statutes have become ia
miliar.
The revised statutes of 1887 cost
twenty thousand dollars, and but little
was received from sales. The revised
statutes of 1899 cost S11 ,S75. and the
state has received $4,S65 from sales,
leaving the net cost 5000.
The Laramie Republican company,
which printed and bound the revised
statutes of 1899, have proposed that
they will have prepared by competent
'and capable persons, skilled in matters
of this kind, an accurate and complete
compilation of the existing statutes
in one volume with a full index, print
and bind the same in good and work
manlike manner and deliver to the
state 600 copies of the work at $3.50
per volume, or a maximum cost to the
state of $4,000. The copies delivered
to the state are to be used for distribu-
ton TO state officers and judges, and
the legislature, and for exchange with
other states and territories. and for
eign governments. but not TO be sold
by the state; the publishers to have
the exclusive privilege Of sale at a
maximum price not exceeding Sc per
volume. The cost to the state would
be considerably less than the expense
of preparing and publishing the COM
pilation. 1t is estimated that the pro
posed new volume would contain fifty
per cen more printed matter than the
revision of 1899.
1t is proposed to have the Wyoming
compiled statutes not only to contain
the existing statutes under appropriate
headlines and chapters, according to
the arrangement of the revised stat,
utes of 1899. but to show the history
of each section by proper notes and
references. so that by a glance at any
section of the compilation it will be
possible to ascertain when the same
was enacted and where il Il 4 "5
found as originally enacted or as
amended and re-enacted.