The record-union., 1898-02-12

Those Unaccustomed to the
Rigorous Climate.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 1.-THE War
De. artment to-day made pubic adVlees
received from Captain F. H. hay of the
Eighth Infantry, who went 10 Alasha
to report on conditions i'll the MINING
country. The reports embrace period
running from October Sd to November
Sd. and are dated from Circle CITY anu
Fort Yukon. They show very serious
state of affairs: that trouble IS threat-
ened at various places, and that thefe
is serious danger of the failure OIL the
TRANSFORMATION companies to get sum
cient supplies.
In report dated Circle City, Octo-
Der 3D., Captain Ray recommends that
should the Government desire to estap-
lish a post on the upper Yukon, that
the mouth of Mission or American
Creek be chosen as the site, with
sub-post, if necessary, at Circle Clty'
The best interests of the service, ne
says, require permanent garrsons IL
be located wei! away from mining
towns. so that the troops, II required
to act. will not be biased by local lnfu-
ences.
while food is scarce in Dawson
City" says Ray, 'the miners in the
outlying camps are fairly we'll supplied.
The eating houses are all closed save
one While | consider the situation
critical. l do not believe there Will De
any great loss of life. beyond that IN
cident to a climate so rigorous as TINS.
That there will be much suffering along
the river and the trail, owing TO the
rashness and ignorance of people un-
accustomed TO this climate, no we'll
informed person here Will deny; but
there is nothing that should cause
undue anxiety or alarm among people
in the States who have friends in this
country.
Some trouble was engendered because
the master of the Weare would not pro-
ceed to Fort Yukon with fifty people
belonging in Dawson, who had come
down as d volunteer crew at the re-
quest of Manager Healy TO handle her
for the round trip. so that they could
obtain winter supplies. The men ap-
pealed to Captain Ray. who says:
Il took them before the agent Of the
company, who, after hearing their case,
admitted that the company was re-
sponsible: that he would furnish them
shelter and food until such time as the
river should become passable and they
could reach Fort Yukon. The whole
matter has been much aggravated by
the drunkenness and ine1ficiency of the
master mariner of the Weare.
Great injury viii result to the COM
merciaI interests along this great high
way if some radical steps are not taken
to protect all persons from such inter-
ference with their legitimate business.
At the same time, there should be some
power TO force common carriers to
transport goods for any person Offering.
AT the present time neither of the trans
portation companies will transport a
pound of freight for other traders or
private parties, forcing all people com
ing into the Territory TO be wholly de-
pendent upon their stores for their sup
plies al their prices.
"A large majority Of the people now
here are peaceable and law abiding, but
in the absence of any person in au-
thority TO appeal to for the settlement
OF the many differences that are con-
stantly arising they are compelled 10
act outside Of the law, and when in
nuenced by passion. prejudice or liquor,
Will commit acts that jeopardiZe great
financial interests, and from which
there is no appeal.
The appeal continues to me to know
II ever the Government is going 10 send
in officials to enforce the law. Miners
complain that they cannot perfect any
title TO their mines. owing to the alb
sence Of any land Office. The depart
ments are sending out commissions 70
Commissioners, Receivers and Regis
ters who cannot qualify for obvious
reasons. The principal one is that there
is not an official qualified to administer
an oath within a thousand miles of this
place. \ Commissioner IS poweriess,
as he has no power to enforce his de-
cisions.
Il am not surprised that matters are
not worse. We are facing a fact, not Il
theory. as l believe ii is the first time
in the history of our Government that
1t has been called upon to govern al
outlying province where the issues are
vital and important both national and
financial For. If the transportation
companies cannot be given protection
from the field and n route opened
through British North America to sup
ply our own people in our own coun-
try"
Captain Ray. under date Circle City
October eth. says that the Transports
tion companies utterly fail u kes-
promises made 70 passengers: that SIS
people landed at 1t. Michael destined
for Circle city. and about forty-two
reached their destination the balance
being stranded between Circle City and
81 Michael, or having returned 10 the
States.
There has been ne adds. less than
1000 tons Of freight all told delivered
above Fort Yukon, and there i:s now ~
ing at that point 800 tons of provisions
and liquor. cached by steamers tha,
could not get over the flats. This fail
ure on the part of the transportation
companies to pat into the mining dis
tricts a sufficient supply Of food has
not only given a serious check 10 the
mining interests. and caused great suf-
fering. but has destroyed all confidence
among the people in their ability to
supply the demand by this route. / am