Time: Sat Aug 16 03:38:30 1997
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	Fri, 15 Aug 1997 21:20:07 -0700 (MST)
Date: Sat, 16 Aug 1997 00:19:23 -0400
Originator: heritage-l@gate.net
From: Paul Andrew Mitchell [address in tool bar]
To: pmitch@primenet.com
Subject: SLS: Sheriff Throws Feds Out of County (fwd)

<snip>
>
>Some excellent news from Wyoming.  I'll keep you all updated on
>how this proceeds.
>
>PAC
>
>
>SHERIFF BOOTS FEDS FROM HIS COUNTY
>by Phil Hamby
>
>Knoxville Journal, August 7-13, 1997 pA1 and A6
>
>(http://www.knoxnews.to) Ph (423) 546-5353 FAX 0858
>
>Sheriff Dave Mattis of Big Horn County, Wyoming, said this week
>that as a result of Case #96-CV099-J, U.S. District Court,
>District of Wyoming, he how has a written policy that forbids
>federal officials from entering his county and exercising
>authority over county residents unless he is notified first of
>their intentions.
>
>After explaining their mission, Mattis said he grants them
>permission to proceed if he is convinced they are operating
>within the legal parameters and authority limitations set forth
>in the U.S.  Constitution.
>
>The sheriff grants permission on a case-by-case basis only.
>When asked what, if any, repercussions he had gotten from the
>Feds, he quickly and confidently replied, "None whatsoever."
>He explained by saying, "They know they do not have jurisdiction
>in my county unless I grant it to them."
>
>Mattis clarified his position by saying the federal court had
>ruled then state of Wyoming is a sovereign state and the state
>constitution plainly states that a county sheriff is the top law
>enforcement official in the county.
>
>Additionally, Sheriff Mattis contends that the U.S.
>Constitution, Article 1, Section 8, clearly defines the
>geographic territories where the federal government has
>jurisdiction.  Amendment X, he said, states that "the powers not
>delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor
>prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States
>respectively, or to the people."
>
>Therefore, Mattis thoroughly believes the Feds have very limited
>powers in any state unless the local high-sheriff allows them to
>exercise power beyond that which the Constitution provides.
>
>"Put another way," Mattis said, "if the sheriff doesn't want the
>Feds in his county, he has the constitutional power and right to
>keep them out or ask them to leave."
>
>Accompanied with other legal interpretations Mattis stands on
>the definition of the world "sovereign," which is defined by
>Webster's as "paramount, supreme.  Having supreme rank or power.
>Independent:  a sovereign State."
>
>Mattis said he grew weary of the Feds coming into his county and
>running rough-shod over county residents: i.e., illegally
>searching, seizing property, confiscating bank accounts,
>restricting the free use of private lands and other abuses,
>without a valid warrant and without first following due process
>of law as guaranteed by the Constitution to every citizen.
>
>As long as Mattis remains sheriff he says he will continue to
>see to it that the citizens of his county get their day in
>court.
>
>Mattis went on to say that, to his knowledge, even the IRS has
>not attempted to seize any citizen's real property, bank account
>or any other private-owned possessions since he ran the Feds out
>of his county.
>
>Sheriff Mattis emphasized that he is not a radical man.  He said
>he is only dedicated to protecting the constitutional rights of
>the citizens of his county.
>
>He added that ordinary citizens are not the only ones bound by
>and expected to obey laws.  Elected officials and government
>employees at all levels of government are also bound by and
>should be expected to obey certain laws.
>
>As long as Sheriff Mattis is the high-sheriff of Big Horn
>County, he seems determined to make sure private citizens and
>government officials alike act within the law and their
>designated powers.
>
>Sheriff Mattis came across as a soft-spoken, polite man whose
>only interest is protecting the citizens he was elected to
>serve.  That being the case, he might be the sheriff for as long
>as he wants to be.
>
>Sheriff Mattis is hopeful that other sheriffs will assume the
>same stance.
>
>c. 1997 The Knoxville Journal
>
>--
>
>Steve Washam        Walla Walla, Washington        sew@valint.net
>-----------------------------------------------------------------
>
>    Children in Cheyenne [are] taught in their schools,
>    Believe in the Country, don't break any rules.
>    But the TV is on and they know something's wrong.
>    Someone must tell them to keep pushing on.
>
>    Can you hear me Wyoming?
>    -- YOU are the Country;
>    -- YOU are the Nation;
>    -- YOU will survive!
>
>    Can you hear me Wyoming?
>    -- YOU are the Country;
>    -- YOU are the Nation;
>    -- YOU will survive!
>
>    as sung by John Stewart and John Denver
>
<snip>

========================================================================
Paul Andrew Mitchell                 : Counselor at Law, federal witness
B.A., Political Science, UCLA;  M.S., Public Administration, U.C. Irvine

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