The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-02-19
Secretary Bliss Receives a Letter
From Governor Brady,
Describing the Condition of Affairs at the
Two Alaskan Camps.
Both Places Filled With a Lawless
Element, Who Have Combined
to Garry Things With a High
shall Powerless to Enforce the
Laws.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1S.-Secretary
Bliss is in receipt of letter from Gov
ernor John b. Brady of Alaska, descrip-
tive of the lawless condition OF affairs
at Dyea and Skaguay. 1t was referred
to at the Cabinet meeting to-day, when
Alaskan affairs were under discus
sion, and was considered sufficient noti-
tication by the members for the dispatch
of the additional military force already
authorized to be sent to Alaska Terri
tory. The following is a copy of the
letter:
News from Skaguay by the steamers
in port is serious. A United States
Deputy Marshal has been shot dead in
the discharge of his duty. Another man
was killed at the same time, at the
same place. Recently the steamers
have been carrying great lists of pas
sengers. Many of these are gamblers.
thugs and lewd women from the worst
quarters of the cities of the coast They
have taken in the situation at Skaguay
and Dyea, and appear to have COM
bined to carry things with high hand.
The best people al these places are
poWerless, as they have no municipal
form of government. The United
States Marshal is powerless, because he
can appoint only a few deputies. and
when they undertake to- act they are
singled out as targets by this ruffian
element. One of this class was tried in
the United States District Court last
December for the killing Of United
States Deputy Marshal Watt in Janu-
airy. 1897, and was acquitted by the
jury in the face of positive testimony.
In fact, their influences seem TO be
Joined hand in hand, and will surely
go unpublished. unless TIE Government
takes immediate action and provides
the necessary force at Skaguay, Dyea
and other points.
Congress should grant immediate re-
lief, for both naval and military officers
can act when requested by the civil
authorities. The United States Mar
shall should have patrol vessel at his
command, with necessary accommoda-
lions for deputies and a proper at
tendant. I do not see how he can per-
form his duty as executive officer Of
the court unless he has such means OF
locomotion entirely at his own COM
mand.
AT the present time a large and inn
portant mining property is held by a
number of miners at Berner's Bay This
property was recently placed in the
hands of a receiver by the court. but
to date the receiver has not come into
possession. In this instance there is
much to be said in favor of the min
ers' action and their self-control, but 1t
is of such a nature that violence may be
the result. The Marshal has no means
of reaching that point with a sufficient
3
the court. Judge Johnson leaves by
this boat to settle this affair amicably,
if possible.
Two weeks ago, or little more.
gang of men commanded Captain Pat
terson of the steamer All XII to discharge
the natives who were handling the
freight the wharf They attacked
these natives and beat them cruelty.
in the face of the Deputy Marshal. The
Captain was obliged to compromise
with them by paying them fifty cents
per hour for work on the wharf, but
he insisted that the natives should
work on the vessel.
II am sorry to report that the court
house at Juneau has been burned to the
ground.
so far the winter has been remarka-
BILE for mildness. and this tends to
bring the crowds sooner than they
We're expected
The letter was dated February Sd.
KLONDIKE RELIEF EXPEDITION.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1S.-Sir Julian
Pauncefote has advised the Secretary
of State of Great Britain's consent that
our military relief expedition to the
Klondike shall pass over British terri
tory, provided the arms and ammuni-
ton are sent through Canadian terri
tory as baggage. An escort Of Domin-
ion police will be furnished. The prop
OSition will be accepted