The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-13
IFFl|RDS PRESENT Relief.
80 SAYS WILLIAM EnsEn o. THk
NEW ALASKA LAND LAWS.


Natter 81 Better Gevernnent.
Thoroughly satisfied that the proposes
LEGISLATION now before congress VII give
the citizens OF the territory OF Alaska i'm
mediate reser. william a.. Esbner. OF Jul
ueau. one Of the most successful MINING
men OF Southeastern Alaska. has returned
from fhs national calstaI, where ne WeaI
as the authorized but unofficial agent OF
the Chamber Of Commerce OK the tnrfving
Alaska city and as the mouthpiece OF
many OF the citizens Of the territory. he
reports that the homestead bail. or that
extending tina land laws into the terri
tory, has passed both houses OF congress
and vas before the conferences comrnittee
when he left Washington week ago.
Its provisions. he sayx. are eminsntiy sat
iseacxory as affarding present relief. The
civil government bin, establishing three
Federal courts n the territory, having
passed the senate, Is now being considered
by the house committee. and Was prac-
ticaliy agreed TO by that committee be-
fore Mr.. Elmer left for Seattle
A thru bill. drawn by Senator Perkins.
providing for the regulation OF the liquor
traffic BY the Licensing OF breweries, bot
ting works. saloons and billiard rooms.
was withdrawn from the upper house OF
congress, and after being greatly altered
will be introduced in the house Of repre-
sentatiyes by Western member. This
measure Is designed TO regulate the liquor
business In Alaska. and Is the first Of Its
kind that has yet received either recog-
milton or encouragement at Washington.
Mr.. Elmer says.
Il was occupied nearly 1--WE weeks in
Washington" said Mr.. Elmer at the But
Ter hotel yesterday. During that time
appeared on many occasions before both
the senate and house committees having
In charge various measures designed TO af-
feet Alaska. was impressed with one fact
more wildly. perhaps. than any other.
and that was In the changed attitude OF
the senator's and representatives towards
the territory of Alaska and the needs and
wishes of Its citizens Not only were the
members of the house and the senate will
ing TO listen 10 the representations of those
who spoke for the citizens of Alaska, but
they were eager to learn something for
themselves concerning the land of gold.
There was to be observed feeling among
the lawmakers at the national capital
that Alaska is fas. getting to the front;
that conditions have undergone a radical
change In this territory during the past
few years, and that the future of the
country Is tinged with golden hue OF
premise, Indicative Of great achievements
dhsd the pIoduttlDn Oh great EICAeS.
''Of the three measures that VII prob
ably receive final attention from congress
during the present session, regard the
bill regulating the liquor traffic as one
OF the most important. OF course the
measure extending the land laws to Alaska
may be said 10 come first in potentiality
and influence. The liquor bill was orisi-
nally designed by Senator Perkins as an
amendment to the civil bill. but as 1t car
VIC f,v srs~ l. a
originate in the house, and was thereupon
withdrawn from the senate and re-drafted
for Introduction In the lower branch of
the national legislature. This bill origi-
naiiy provided for the taxation Of many
kinds OF business. as absiract.ng, banking
manufacturing, fishing. gas and electric
lighting and many other va.ietiss of in
Gustry. The manifest injustice of the bill
as first .irawn became quickly apparent.
and the measure was given a thorough re-
modelling. As II now stands. 1t provides
that oreweries shall pay license fee Of
$500 per annum: billiard and bowling
rooms. SIS; bottling works. 500, and of
saloons from 1880 to $1,000 per annum, ac-
cording TO the population OF the town.
Amendments were incorporated in this
measure providing that the revenue 80
raised shall be applied to the school fund
for tie education of the children OF Alaska.
In canvassing sentiment on this measure,
especially amcpg the representatives and
senator's from the New England states, I
found that opinion inclined favorab,y to
the passage of the measure. 1t is realized
in Washington that the present anti
liquor law in Alaska is farce; that 1t Is
impossible to convict respectable saloon
keeper for selling drink of whisky 10 a
man perfectly able to buy It and capable
OF consuming ii without harm 10 himself
or the community. 1t is now understood
that wise regulation OF the whisky traffic
In Alaska Is much more desirable than the
present condition OF affairs In which thou
sands OF dollars worth of Canadian
liquors are annually srnuggied into the
country and sold TO the people OF the ter
ritory. while American goods are confls-
Gated in the searorts or at the cities where
the shipments originate.
1T g also proposed TO establish license
boards consisting OF the Judge OF the Fed
erai court the clerk thereof. and the
United States commissioner. which shall
alone Rave power 10 grant liquor licenses.
Among the important changes wrought
by the civil bill. which will undoubtedly
become law. Is the establishment OF three
courts. and the comforting OF power upon
the judges TO appoint the United States
commissioners for their respective d.s-
trfets. AT present these commissioners are
appointed by the president.
In this bill. which was introduced by
Senator Carter. OF Montana, I was able TO
secure an amendment causing the removal
of the Federal court from Sitka 10 in.
neau The present ARA ngement l. pro-
ductive Of much annoyance and expense
10 thu citizens of Southeastern Alaska
Sstka Is situated N an out-of- the-way
place. and there has not been q session
OF the court held there for three years.
Yet the seat Of the court Is at Sitka. and
there are kept the archives of the office.
Communication by steamer Is nfrequent.
mails are of serr.-monthiy occurrence, ard
when lawyer wants writ or other
process from the court N hurry he is
Obliged TO charter a steamer to go 20
Sitka. Senator Carter has consented TO
this change in this bin. ard II has re-
ceived The approval Of the house COM
nnttsee'
Referring TO the land hsil, Mr.. Elmer
said that Il provided for the establish
81 ..x,s