The San Francisco call., 1898-01-09
NEW LAWS
 ARE NEEDED
 FOR ALASKA Innovations Desired by the People of
 the North. Want Representation in Congress, but Oppose
 Taxation. Their Country Too Unsettled for a Territorial Form of
 Government. VIEWS OF LEADING MEN. Proposition to Establish Three Judi cisl Districts Meets With Much
 Support.
Their Country Too Unsettled for a Territorial Form of
 Government.
VIEWS OF LEADING MEN
Proposition to Establish Three Judi cisl Districts Meets With Much
 Support.
Special Correspondence of The Call.

Special Correspondence of The Call.
 SITKA, Alaska, Dec 26.-The most important topic in Alaska, now that Congress is in session, exclusive of the Klondike, is the question of legisla- tion for the district. The subject is receiving more consideration here and in Washington, D. C., than at any time since the Russian colors were lowered and the Stars and Stripes raised to the breeze at SitkaAOctober IS, 1867. The great diversified natural wealth of the district-for Alaska is not Territory-is just beginning to be recognized. Heretofore the world has looked at a country one third as large as the whole United States over cold shoulder and shivered at the glance Now the universal indifference is gone and people are flocking from the four corners of the earth into a region which the turn of a spade seems to have transferred into land of gold.
 The next five years are expected to bring the investment of more capital into Alaska than during all her pre- vtous history. Half a dozen stamp mills. for illustration, within a radius of fifty miles of Juneau-four of them within five miles and all tributary to that city-crunch large gold bricks out Of quartz every month. The surface Of this rich mineral belt hundreds of miles in extent, has hardly been scratched over as yet. The best in formed mining men in Alaska say that many more and richer lodges remain to be discovered.
 Several million dollars is the value of the annual output of the Salmon canneries of the coast. Coal, iron and copper beds have hardly been touched. The fisheries present mine of wealth A vast extent of mineral country. be- lieved to be rich, has not even been explored.
 Inadequate and inapplicable laws de- lay the growth and development of Alaska and her towns. The laws of the Territory of Oregon in force in 1884 ob- tain in Alaska, when not in conflict with Federal statutes. In many eases these laws have. under existing condi- tions, been found as suitable as sandal footwear is fit for travel over the ice to Point Barrow.
 An example of the need of legislation providing for local self government is the present city of Juneau, which has population of about 5000. The com munity is totally without any form of municipal government. City improve mentS and growth are retarded be. cause there is no title to property. The only peace officer is a Deputy United States Marshal. He is the police force of the town. Juneau is orderly, but the comparative absence of crime is due chiefly to the present limited means of communication with the out side world and the consequent diffi- culty of escape. Streets are irregular. The only street grade is the sweet will of the claimant of abutting propenv The system of water works is limited and unreliable. The town could burn down in night. Insurance rates are almost prohibitive. Business streets have been planked at individual ex- pense. The liquor law is non-effective and farce from Cape Fox to the Are tic circle.
 Smuggling of whisky is as safe and easy as pulling a cork from an after dinner bottle in the house of friends. Twenty-six unlicensed saloons do not close their doors the year round
 Property in Alaska is not taxed. Nothing in Alaska pays a cent of tax l am told that this fact strongly ap- peals to the investment of capital and that if form of government or a code of laws levying a tax were inn posed capital would take wings for other climes and the development of the districts resources would be pro- portionately slow. This and other things throw a number of clements of complexity into the situation not easy of solution. The general sentiment of the people is in favor of a code of new laws and representation on the floor of Congress, but decidedly agarnSt tax atton. In other words, the anomaly is presented of a desire for representa- tion without taxation in any form Many men here are apprehensive that members of Congress, unfamiliar with Alaska's conditions, will propose legis- lation that would be worse than the present back-number statutes, or some form of government that the popula- tion will not be able to maintain. The population of the district is estimated to be at the present time 10000 whffes and 30,000 natives. Leading men of Alaska think that the district is not yet ready for a Territorial form of Government. There is also a wide spread sentiment favoring the exten- sion of the United States land laws to Alaska.
 In his recent annual message .7.,y- ernor J. G. Brady expressed himself fin favor of a commierfon to form code of laws, and against a Territorial form of Government. He may go to Washington this winter to keep an eye on and assist in legislation for Alaska. The following brief interviews propose ways and means of legislation.
 Ex-District Judge Delaney of Juneau said: "The land laws should be ex- tended to Alaska We are not vel ready for a Territorial form of Coy ernment, for the reason that we are not able to support it. I favor the appoint rnent of a commission to draft a code of laws, and delegate on the floor of Congress-
 United States District Attorney Bur ton F. Bennett of Sitka says: Alaska is too large for any form of territorial government, considering the present population and it's distribution. Alaska Is one-third as large as the rest of the United States. Communication be- tween her different ports is hard and uncertain. Were she given a terri tnraal farm of government it would be