, 1878-01-25


it was time to make an example of
somebody in order to convince white
men that whisky selling by them to
Indians would be no longer tol.
lerated. y score Of Indians there.
fore marched to the Russians house,
seized his "stil" and liquor, and
with him in custody started for the
ranch. Arriving at Toy ah.att's resi-
dence courcil was held and the de,
cision was that the Russian should be
tied to a post for one hour. This
sentence was carried out and the cul-
prits "still" and "mash. tub" were
placed along side Of him that all
passers by might know why such
punishment was inflicted. A por-
tion of our white population Chose
who hesitate not in violating the
laws of the country set up an ignom-
inious howl over the occurrence,
claiming that if Indians we're permit.
ted and tolerated to perpetrate acts
like this, they would become EN-.
bodened and no white man would
be safe. Many talked loudly Of
marching to the rescue Of the Rus.
sian, while under sentence, but as is
generally the case, talk was cheap,
and none cared to act. Others, who
are possessed with more brass than
brains commenced defining other
mems duties, never once considering
that THEIR duties as law abiding
citizens, de mand that THEY shall
discountenance and endeavor to Sup
press the liquor traffic in Alaska.
And again there were IA few of
another class, Of the "cut and shoot"
stamp, who howled loudly of individ-
ual rights and selfprotection, assert
ing what they would do should any
one attempt to enter their premises
in search of liquor. Here was a
scene for you fellow citizens of this
our Great Republic. Here, Law
makers of Washington, was a scene
10 be carefully considered by you.
Here were three hundred white men
greatly agitated over an act perpe-
trated by few law abiding Indians,
the business of whose doings we will
consider hereafter. Here we were,
all more or less excited and many
under the influence Of liquor. Would
| it have been strange had ANYTHING
serious occurred ?
Taking advantage OF the excite.
ment, call was made for the people
to organize a select committee and
empower the same to preserve the
peace and administer Justice at this
town. The call accomplished moth
ing, and it was demonstrated that
more were in favor of creating dis
cord and violating the laws of the
land than to the contrary. Such be-
ing the case the Customs authorities
got their backs up, quoted the laws,
and proclaimed that they should com
mence a war Of determination on all
whiskey makers and law breakers.
A LITTLE COMMON SENSE.
There is reason in all things and
justice in many, therefore let us con
slider the following carefully:
Congress by act approved March
3, 1873, made Alaska an Indian
country and section 2l40 Rev.Stat.
authorizes Indians to destroy all
liquors found in an Indian country
except that which has been intro.
duced legally.
Such being the case the Indians
had the light to enter the Russian &
house, seize upon and destroy his
stills and liquor. But had they
the right to administer punishment
on the man? Legally they had not
But common sense aud justice ceded
them the right on this occasion, and
will again il it becomes necessary. If
a man, be he white or black, so far
degrades himself that he will il de
iiance of aw, manufacture rank poi .
I son and sell IL 10 Indians in country
/ like this, thereby jeoparding not only
the lives OF Indians, but that Of his
own, aud hundreds of others who
claim 10 be law-ahlding citizens,
there is in my mind no punishment
. too severe and in addition 70 being
tied to a post, the Russian richly
deserved csstigstion with cato
nine. tails" The church.going por.
ton oi the Indians here deserve
credit for their efforts IN trying 70
destroy ths liquor traffic, aud had our
white citizens encouraged sobricty
among the Indians and discounIen.
Snced the liquor traffic by white men,
there would have been less trgubls