The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-07

the revenues of the government. by
reason Of the act that importers, an
ticipating the passage OF the act re-
ferred TO. provided themselves with
large stocks of merchandise of every
description. the tariff Of 1897 can not be
regarded as fairly tested by the reseipts
Immediately following its passage. As
an illustration of the correctness Of this
view. IL may be stated that during the
first four months of the fiscal yea 1899
the receipts from customs exclusive of
the duty on tea provided by the war
revenue law) amounted to IS. 716.0S0.
which Is A.633, 026 in excess OF the re-
ceipts for a similar period in any year
since 1892.
A reciprocal commercial agreement
has been entered into between the
United States and France. under the
provisions of section 3 of the tariff act
of 1897. and negotiations with n similar
object I'm view are in progress with
other countries.
sale Of Liquor In Alaska
The enforcement OF the law govern
ing the Importation. manufacture. and
sale OF Intoxicating liquors in the Ter
ritory Of Alaska Is so difficult. and the
subject OF so much Importance to that
rapidly developing country and to the
government. that II is treated OF here
at greater length than otherwise would
be justified.
The law which regulates the intro
duction and sale of liquor in Alaska Is
found in section 1855 of the Revised
Statutes. (which authorizes the presi-
dent to restrict n REGULATE. or TO pro-
hibit. its Importation and use in the
Territory. and in section II Of the act
of May II. 1884. which continues in
force the previous law. except as there
by modified. prohibits the importation.
manufacture. and sale of intoxicating
liquors i'm Alaska, except for medicinal,
mechanical and scientific purposes,
and authorizes the president to pro-
vide for the enforcement of this
at present in force are those dated.
respectively. Feb. 26. 1885. March
IL. 1892. and Tune "a. 1898. The first pro-
vides that the manufacture of liquor
within the district of Alaska shall be
only for medicinal. mechanical. and
scientific purposes. and upon a license
from the governor. The second forbids
the sale of liquor within the district
except for the purpose above indi-
Gated. n only upon a license to be
issued by the governor. The third for
bid the shipment of liquor from the
United States or its introduction into
Alaska except upon a permit from the
collector of customs at Sitka. and then
only when the liquor is intended for
medicinal. mechanical. scientific. or
sacramento purposes. The authority
of the collector to enforce all the liquor
laws and regulations is derived from
section 1857 of the Revised Statutes. as
amended by section IA of the act of
Nav IL. 1884.
To prevent the shipment Of liquors 10
Alaska I'm violation Of law. officers of
the department at ports IN the Pacific
coast carefully examine the cagoe
manifests of all vessels bound for
- - A--- 49, T.
tended for Illegal Introduction into the
Territory. The collector of customs for
Alaska has been active in seiZing
liquors Illegally landed, which are eN-
posed for sale in the Territory. He
sent to Portland. Ore, recently. in one
shipment, for sale, over eighty tons Of
seized liquors. Because OF the almost
universal demand for liquor in that To-
cality n the large profits to be de-
rived from its sale. great quantities
find their wa into the district and are
To be obtained i'm saloons.
Shipments of liquor are made from
the United States under all manner of
Observation-Disclosures as medicinal
compounds, catsup, ETC.. inclOsed in
shipments of merchandise. bidder in
the coa i'm the steamers bunkers. and
wen placed on board the ships. after
they have cleared. by small boats
which put out from shore at night. 1t
Is impossible to efectually prevent
these practices without the use of
swift seagoing vessels and a large adj
ditional force Of employees.
The collector Is virtually powerless
to enforce the law restricting the in
PRODUCTION and sale of liquor within
the territory. by reason of the cooper
alton and sympathy OF almost the en-
tire population of Alaska with those
who violate the law. and Of the failure
Of juries in Alaska to indict n con-
Wet after discovery and arrests have
been made. II has been reported to the
department that for a number of years
not one conviction for violation Of the
liquor law was n in the courts in that
district. inc hat a former district
judge had stated openly. and while he
was occupying nat high office. that no
jury In Alaska would convict any per-
son who violated the law. Information
has also been received that where GUS
toms officers have seized liquors i'm sa-
looms and reported the facts to IN"
United States attorney, the grand jury
either failed to find true bills or the
cases were compromised by the pay
ment of small fines. and the liquor
dealers resumed their business Wit
fresh supplies. In view Of the on
slant liability to SECURE. but a small
quantity Of liquor is reported to be
kept in the respective saloons. the main
supply belnS carefully hidden n
drawn from as occasion requires. so
that a seizure by "A customs officer
means little To the saloon keeper.
The remedy for the situation. IL Is be-
lieved. may be found In the repeal %
the present laws and the provision by
congress Of a high license system for
the territory. IL has been demonstrated
that the sale of liquor in Alaska can
not be enectually prohibited under
present regulations. by reason of the
almost universal adverse public senti-
ment ard Il would seem, therefc:,. IA
wiser course to confine IL within such
bounds as would insure its regulation
by the government.
n report In an extensive
way the seal herds. the salmon fisher
les and kindred subjects. Hygiene and
yellow fever are also taken up. while
navigation and transportation are like
wise discussed. The secretary devotes
b. 5000 word Of his report to the