The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-19

clio coast. arrived yesterday on the
Queen from Skagway. where he has been
In command Of the Lynn canal military
district for several montA2
With Gen Anderson came Companies
A and G, which have been stationed II
SkaSway. Capt. +. F. Eastman - n
charge of Company A. with A. /. Las
se.gne first lieutenant and E. W. Clark
second. Company G is in charge OF Capt.
Matte, who has been pos. commander al
Skagway and who IS ranking captain OF
the regiment Each company is COM
posed of about fifty men. but orders have
been received TO recruit up TO war strength
at once.
Gen. Anderson was promoted TO briga-
der general several weeks ago. but
he only heard Of 1t a few days
before his departure from Dyea-
He has been the ranking colonel
some time, and now. because OF the pro-
motion OF all the brigadier generals to
major generals. he is the senior brsgadief
general OF the army.
Though a veteran of many years of serv-
ice. Gen. Anderson is active and vigorous.
He has keen piercing eyes. set back be-
hind large gray eyebrows. His short
beard is iron gray in color. and he wears
. black silk smoking cap TO cover the
bald spot on the top of his head. He can
climb as many trails or perform as many
hours OF hard work in the battlefield or
of Sc la
is wiry, quick in action and thought.
and intensely decided when he utters his
orders or his opinions. He is a good
reader Of character, and trusts only those
who have proved their ability 10 him.
Gen. Anderson was born in Ohio in 1886.
When the civil war broke out he was In
Kentucky pracsicing law. AT that time
his uncle, Gen. Anderson. was at Fort
Sumter. The young law student tried TO
join his uncle. but. failing In that. Joined
volunteer regiment as a private, and
has fought his way up from one promotion
TO another until he has become the senior
brigadier general of the army. He has
commanded seventeen different posts,
mostly In the West. his last one being
at Lynn canal, where he was sent few
months ago because OF the lawlessness
at the new towns and of the threatening
boundary question. Gen. Anderson avoid
ed declaring martial law by urging the civil
authorities 10 take active measures for
the suppression of crime. In all proba-
bslity Gen. Anderson will be selected TO.
an important command In connection with
the INVASION OF the Philippines.
Speaking Of the conditions in Alaska
relative 10 eiv;l government. Gen. Ander-
son said yesterday:
Not Enough Civil Officers.
IT do not hesitate to express my opinion
that there are not enough civil officers
to answer the PURPOSES OF so large a coun-
try as Alaska But IL the civil authori-
ties that are there would do their duty
a little more zealously and not he afraid
TO make arrests without complaints and
warrants. the law could be preserved and
order preserved better than has been. The
governor OF the district has very little au-
thority. and the United States judge Is
stationed away over at Stka- away from
the points where civil officers are needed.
and where II requires two weeks Jour
ney to visit. With the court so remote.
Il is very difficult 10 enforce the law.
either criminal or civil.
''In my opinion, the greatest difficulty
Alaska has TO contend with in this con-
necton is the total absence of any sort
OF county or other municipal organiza-
ton. Another temporary inconvenience
arises from the fact that by far the iarg
est part Of the population--the people a.
Dyea, Skagway and Wrangel-are tran
sient. Very few OF these people intend
TO make those places their homes. They
cannot serve on turIes; they are unwili-
ing TO appear as witnesses and avoid serv-
ing on a posse. The result OF all this
Is that the iaw-abiding people have no
organization. and up TO the time the mill
tary went 10 Alaska the iswiess popula-
ton had things their own way.
There has been a general impression
that a number of civil officers have had
an understanding with or were standing
IN with the violators OF the law. OF
the truth OF this charge I am not prepared
"a state. I have not sought proof OF II.
but I viii say tina. the fact that the coll
fusion is so generally believed has had
very uuwhoiesome effect upon the reputa-
ton OF the law in the district
II am much pleased with Alaska, and
think It has great resources and many fine.
energetic people. I am only glad TO leave
Alaska because think nv duty as a SOL
der taxa me elsewhere. The higher Off
GERS Of the civil authorities have treated
me with great kindliness and considera-
ton. and I have a great respect for them
and am grateful for their courtesies-"
should Repeal Liquor Law.
Asked what he thought OF Alaska's pro-
hibitory liquor law. Gen. Anderson said:
''The law ought TO be repealed. II can
not be enforced. and has brought the
whole system OF law in the district into
contempt"
Regarding the unfortunate experience %
the government N it, attemp; 10 trans.
plant reindeer 10 Alaska, the general has
very positive opinions. and these opinions
reflect very severely upon the Rev. DR..
Sheldon Jackson.
when found that the reindeer expert.
rnent was failure. said the general.
and when the Rev. D.. Jacksan told me
that he Was acting under authority from
the interior department. / advised the
aha ionmtnt cf tire HaireS mission ss-
petition dld So Cor another reason-
because ID not ;h.rk that I; vas il
accord with the dignity Of our nation 10
have orr United States soldiers pack
away their arms ard conceal Their uni
forms Rhsa they W r. performing the
aa;iss ordered bT the government.
As to expeditions Mes : and T. 20
Naldss and Geek Inlet VIII say his;
declined % send tle pack trains because
I vpa'd not take the r Sfsoasi b4.ity az