The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-01-19
~SLANDERING ,ALASKANS.
NIX. JOSEPH MURR1r INDICTED
EOR CKIMINIL LIEEL.

In an Omcini Report 20 the G~overnmert
TIE Intinnted That the Courts aud ON.
cinl- stood In with Criminnis-Judgo
Dcinnry'- Remarks TO the Grand Jury.
TACOMA. Wash. Jan. IL. There Is indiRna.
ton in Alaska over tho reports in the States
that lawlcssness is rampant in that territory.
Judge Delaney of the United states District
Court. IN charging the Grand Jury that las
been In session there for two months, denounced
all unwarrRnted statements tending TO prciu-
dice the public nina against the morals OF tho
people of Alaska. and thus to keep capital from
coming into the country. lie was particularly
indignant Mt United States officials who have
carried unsavory tales to Washington regard
ing crlminuls standing in with the courts aud
federal officials generally in Alaska.
The Grand Jury found an Indictment against
Mr.. Joseph Murray for criminal libel. Mr..
Murray is II special agent OF the United
States Treasury Department, and was at
the time of tho alleged offence United
States Fish Commissioner for Alaska. His
report to tho Government. II is asserted,
was highly sensational. aud indicated that tho
court. as well rs its officers, cOnspired with tho
criminals % Alaska. II further said that tho
court and it's officers were afraid to do their
duty. even II they were 80 disposed.
Judge Delaney, in charging the jury, said that
the reports Of crime In Alaska In the press did
III ulNluGD nun, bul lllhL W 4 hu blliCtE w wv
Government made such charges in his official
report 1t was time for u reckoning.
The Alaska .NIiiip RrrorI says: Mr. Joseph
Murray, late Fish Commissioner for Alaska
and special Treasury agent, saw III In his last
annual report to impugn the motives and In
tegrity of our court. aud this action OF tue
Grand Jury will afford an opportunity 10 sub
%stnntinte his words or to crawtsh his way out
OF the predicament into which he has permitted
his prclutiCCs to lead him.
IAN Alaska Is indebted to United States At
torncy Bauncy. Clerk Rogers. ana Marshal
Williams for the able support which they have
rendered Judge Delaney IN his efforts To Nil
the germs of crime with which Alnskf seems OF
late to have become iHOculntcd. Every ono
seems to have lern nctuated by no purpose
oihcr than "a conscientious performance OF the
duties imposed. and that they have succeeded Is
not to be ghinsaiI. The manifest determination
OF the court to maintain and o. force the laws
ms they stand has won the applause OF tho
Judges friends aud the respect OF his enemies,
and 1t is to hn hoped that the good work SO well
began may not he suffered to lapse, but may bo
prosecuted to a tinRlity."
Alaska ard Puget sound merchants and the
steamship com panies are preparing for an In
iluV Of 10000 to 1000 miners into Alaska tins
spring. Last yenr about 1000 men went north
in search Of wealth. The success. OF many OF
these, coupled with strikes male on Cloudy
Creek. tributary Of the Yukon. late last season.
and the systematic advertising now being done
N having the effect OF attracting gold seekers
from every part OF the country.
PoRT Tow NsESD. Wash. Jan. lS.-The steam
ship Aikt. from AlHska last evenihg. BROUGHT
suit Of the Information that the prosecution or
cx-tnited States Marshal crville L. Porter,
charged with Involvement under a Grand
Jury Indictment, had been quashed under d.
rect and Specific orders from the Attorney
General at Washington to the District Attorney
Of Alaska. The charge hus been hanging over
Porter since shortly alter his retirement at tho
end Of the Harrison administration Porter was
indicted for failing 10 discharge outstanding
claims for jury aud witness fees. pocket!ng the
money.