The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-08-19
TEE ALASKAN PROBLEM.
Bad Political and Moral Atmo-
sphere.
Revolving Condition of Affairs in the
Land of the Midnight sun shown
Up by Fearless Hand-Facts
Plainly and TruthfulIy Set Forth.


There is strange disquietuGe in the
political atmosphere of Alaska. Though
We are but birds Of passage, lifting from
station to station, and merely bent on a
tour of pleasure, yet we feel that some
thing is wrong in the air we breathe.
From the little half breed girl, with her
tart rejoinder that the missionaries are
in the school business to make their
livin' same as anybody else," to the trad
ers and business men, who seem to be
grumbling under their breath, we can
feel that all is not well.
1t must be looked on from both sides,
the ordinary citizens as well as the mis-
sionaries. Both are right and both are
wrong, considering the circumstances OF
the case. AS long as the present method
OF government prevails the tug of war
viii continue to the verge of hloodshed.
And no one need wonder, for 1 must
say that Alaska is something of puzzle
not to be comprehended in moment.
She is not State, not Territory even.
She is only an Indian reseryation-a res
ervation of 100000 square miles, it is true,
but reservation, nevertheless, in the
eyes OF the United States law. But the
CspOJ Ol LuC w ME race VINO QODlllabe TIE
land, as is usual with that race lin spite OF
the 5000 native Alaskans), resent this
Interpretation of AlaSka's political posi-
lion by the United States.
And so, while there are no taxes, no
State Government, no timber to be dis
posed OF, no titles nor deeds to be had,
none OF the accompanying paraphernalia
OF State, yet the white population en-
beavers to proceed upon the assumption
that the ordinary laws of the States pre-
vail. They do not like the methods by
which the United States endeavors to
control the liquor traffic, the same as
they do in indian Territory, or any other
reservation-that is by prohibition. No
one can sell liquor, legally, save by TAX
ing oath that il is for medicinal or scien-
title purposes, and obtaining license
therefor. But, in spite of this TACT there
are thirty-eight saloons and three brew
cries, which continue acheerful, if illegal,
existence in Juneau alone. And as for the
violation Of the law in selling or giving
liquor to az Indian, even If the offender
Is arrested, there is prevailing public
opinion which makes a conviction very
uncertain.
When Alaska was added to the union
OF States and lands the laws OF Oregon
We're selected for her method of govern
lnent where they were natural and lifting,
and when there was Il deviation the Judge
OF the court had to make it conform to the
case III question. The result is that the
laws prevailing for the Umatilla reserva-
ton, Oregon. have been utilized for the
government OF Alaska. But the descend
ants of the Russians, and the SaXons, and
the English, and Americans, all mem bers
OF this dominant white race, are in q con-
tinual state OF protest against this state OF
affairs.
LIqhor is always to be had, even if
illegally. Smuggling Is openly counte-
nanoed and encouraged. The ordinary
citizen is angered to think he cannot have
liquor at his own free Will, to have and TO
hold and TO drink. OF course, the men OF
Alaska ought to rejoice that the Govern
ment is such good parent to them-that
il takes the trouble 10 keep them sober
and in their right minds. But the men OF
Alaska are the same as the men else
Where-human beings OF mortal mold.
who love that which is forbidden. And
where public opinion is so united, it is no
wonder that the officials are somewhat
apathetic in enforcing the laws Tor the
Punishment Of the offender. What iSthe
Use Of making arrests and going through
the farce OF q trial only to have the jury
uniformly fail to convict?
Given thousands o. miles of unDro-
tected seacoaSt, the popUlace III a constant
state OF protest, and utterly inadequate
means OF enforcing prohibition, and the
2OSurdIty Of the Well-meant proposition
is evident. How can the law be much
better than a dead letter upon its
statutes? The only practical way out of
the difficulty would lie TO divide Alaska
OF so that upon special reservations set
apart for the Indians would prevail differ
ent laws from those portions where the
white race dwells.
The tug-of-war between the factions
has already brought about bloodshed A
tragedy and an outrage have been en-
II l.
better class of people to thinking. And
possibly out of this deplorabIe climax
good may eventually come.
Edwards, the victim of the tragedy.
was a Government teacher, who taught
among the ]\ake Indian tribe. He was
continually annoyed and harassed by
The LIQUOR which was constantly sold to
the Indians with the usual result OF
drunkenness and degradation. undoing
al his efforts. He was told of q certain
boat which had arrived on certain ay
in those waters with liquor for the In
dams. Under the law he was entitled to
arrest these men in possession OF the
liquor Ii he had the proof OF their giving
or selling it to Indians. He made a
speech to his young men of the tribe, and
fourteen volunteered TO go with him
They were given the fiery stuff and
passed it TO Edwards, who poured il out
as he received il. Springing into the
DoaL he kiChSd IDe cover OH Where the
casks We're concealed, and this is the
point made against him-that of violence.
He arrested and bound the two white
linen, kept two trustworthy Indians with
linn. ana dismissed the others TO return
home. He then started Tor juneau to
turn them over TO the authorities. This
was on January Il, 1892. No one knows
what happened next but four days later
the boat arrived in Sitka with the two
men in charge. The Indians had utterly
disappeared of the face of the earth. and
have never been seen since. Edwards was
iDsensible, in a dying condition from a
gunshot wound, and the next day. the
10th, died in the hospital. A tragedy had
plainly taken place, but the feeling on
the enforcing OF prohibition was at such
2 low ebb, that though the community
was shocked at the affair, yet the prevail
ing sympathy was with the two men.
While the violence used by Edwards in
making the arrest was considered extern
uating circumstances. The two men
We're arrested, but allowed to go on bail.
Meanwhile one violence begot another.
a teacher by the name of }. T. Copnett
wrote his version of the affair to an Fast
ern paper, prophesying that, although
under arrest for the murder of Edwards
as a matter OF course the men would
be acquitted.
A paragraph from the article reads rs
follows:
The venerable muse of history has many
sud recitalS OF the rise, fail ana progress ri
Peoples ana nations. Yet nowhere will her
Voice sink into deeper pathoS than when she
shall reveal to the world the mysteries thai
now hang over this iar-od land of the mid
night sun. The clouds are dark and oninous
and the stiffness OF this crime eeked atnloS.
phere is sitting. When the rupture comes
when the veil is rent, fierce Will be the con-
1ict. Skeletons will rise up amidst the gloom
1c testify against the wrongs OF the past Ont
Will then beSfOW that rxtlo5 oft
sre has had her eternal existence.
This letter was copied into the Juneau