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 WYOMING

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WYOMING

labours. A day's labour in mines and in works for the reduction of ore is limited to eight hours, except In cases of emergency. The sale of intoxicating liquors is licensed only in incorporated cities and towns.

VII. Government. — The state is governed under its first constitution adopted in November, 1889. Amendments to the constitution may be propo.sed by resolution of the legislature and submitted to a I'ote of the people, and if approved by a majority of the electors become a part of the constitution. Suf- frage is conferred upon both men and women. The principle of woman suffrage was incorporated in the let organizing the territory, and was carried into the rtate constitution. Women rarely seek to hold office, and are disqualified for jury service. On local ssues the vote of women is generally cast on the side jf morality and home jirotection, but in state policy md legislation no unusual results are traceable to yoman suffrage. The right to vote at general elec- ions is enjoyed by all citizens of the United States vho have attained the age of 21 years, are able to read he constitution, and have resided in the state one ,"ear, and in the county sixty days immediately pre- md persons convicted of infamous crimes. General ■lections are held biennially in even numbered years, he first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, md newly-elected officers assume their duties on the irst Monday in the following January. The gov- •rnor, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, and super- ntendent of pubUc instniction are elected for terms if four years, and all other state officers are appoint- ve. The legislature consists of a senate and a house if representatives, and meets biennially in odd num- lered years, on the second Tuesday in January, its ession being Umited to forty days. Each branch lects a chaplain, who opens the session and each lay's proceedings with jjrayer. The administra- ion of justice is vested in a supreme court, dis- rict courts, justices of the peace, and municipal ourts. The supreme court consists of three jus- ices elected by the state at large for a term of ight years. The supreme court has general appel- ate jurisdiction of causes tried in the district courts, rhe district courts have general original jurisdiction s aU matters of law or equity, and have appellate iirisdiction of cases arising in justice courts and auses made appealable from administrative boards, udges of district courts are elected by districts for erms of six years.
 * eding, with the exception of idiots, insane persons,

VIII. Religious Factors. — The state consists of ne dioceae with its see at Cheyenne. The Catholic opulation is estimated (1910) at about 12,000; hurches with resident pastors, 18; missions with hurches, 14; priests, 23. The dis.semination of Cath- Hc doctrine in this region began with the visits of 'rench fur-traders and trappers during the first half f the eighteenth century, but there is evidence that 'athohc practices had been introduced among the ative tribes prior to that date by Catholic Iroquois ndians who had drifted west from Canada and New 'ork. Father Pierre-.Jean De Smet, S.J., arrived in ^■yoming with an expedition of the American Fur lompany in 1840. and his mission work among the ndians and scattered white settlements during the jcceeding fifteen years forms an important chapter 1 the history of the North-west. Fathers P. De Vos, .J., and Hoecken, S.J., Zerbinate, Jo.set, and Men- arina were among the early missionaries. In 18.51 Wyoming formed a part of the vicariate of the Indian >rritory east of the Rocky Mountains which had Rt.

Rev. John B. Miege as vicar Apostolic. In 1857 it comprised a part of the Vicariate of Nebraska and so remained until 1885, when it became a part of the Diocese of Omaha. It was erected into the Diocese of Cheyenne, 9 August, 1887, and the first bishop, Rt. Rev. Maurice F. Burke, was consecrated on 28 Oct., 1887. He was transferred to St. Joseph, Missouri, June, 1893, and was succeeded by Rt. Rev. Thomas Lenihan, whose death occurred on 1.5 Dec, 1901. Rt. Rev. James J. Keane, the third bishop of the diocese, was consecrated on 28 Oct., 1902, but in 1911 was made Archbi.shop of Dubuque. His administration was attended by much progress in church interests. The fourth bishop is Rt. Rev. Patrick A. McGovern, appointed on 18 January, 1912, and consecrated on 1 1 April following. A new cathedral and bishop's residence have been erected at Cheyenne. The spiritual needs of the new diocese have been pre- sented in frequent lecture tours to the faithful in the older communities of the east; and they have given aid by contributions to a loan fund plan, whereby numerous mission church buildings have been provided in new settlements and outlying com- munities. Colonization has been encouraged and the work and growth of the Church is in keeping with the rapid settlement and material advancement of the state.

IX. History. — While there is some evidence that the early Spanish made expeditions into Wyoming, no written accounts of their ex"|]editions have been found. The first authentic record of exploration by white men is that of Sieur de la Verendrye, who discovered the Yellowstone while in charge of an expedition in the interest of the French Canadian fur trade in 1743. John Colter, a member of the Lewis and Clark expe- dition, was the first American to enter Wyoming. He discovered Yellowstone Park and exiilored tlic Big Horn and Fremont Country in 1806. Cieneral John C. Fremont explored the central portion of the state, discovered the South Pass, and estabhshed the Over- land Trail in 1842. Indian depredations incident to the Cahfornia movement in 1849 induced the Gov- ernment to establish a number of army posts along the Platte River, among them Fort Steele, Fort Fet- terman, and Fort Laramie, the latter being an old fur-trading fort first established in 1834. The Union Pacific Railroad entered in 18G7, and after a few years of Indian warfare, great herds of cattle trailed in from Texas comprised the chief industry until the early nineties, when the lai-ger herds commenced to disappear and an era of ranch settlement began. The State of Wyoming is carved out of territory obtained from four principal annexations comjirising the main land west of the Mi.ssi.s.<ippi River, viz.: the Louisiana purchase (1803) ; the Oregon Countrv by dis- covery, settlement, and treaty (1792, 1805, 1811, 1819, 1846), the Texas annexation (1845); and the Mexico concession (1848). Its titled interests bear the imprint of successive periods of purchase, explor- ation, discovery, settlement, and conquest. It has in turn formed a part of tlie following named ter- ritories: Louisiana in 1803; Missouri in 1812; Texas in 1845; Oregon in 1848; Utah in 1850; Nebraska in 1845; Washington in 18.59; Dakota in 18G1; Idaho in 1863; Dakota in 1864. Organized as Wyoming terri- tory in 1868, it was admitted as a state, 10 July, 1890.

CotJTANT, History of Wyoming (1899); Hebard, Government of Wyoming (San Francisco, 1(104) ; Hinsdale, The Old Narlhwetl (1888) : Bancroft. Nevada, Colorado and Wyoming (San Francisco, 1890); Austin, Steps in the Expansion of our territory (Now York, 1904); Wyoming Compiled Statutes (1910).

W. E. Mullen.