The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-19
Gen. Anderson Will Probably Be
Ssnt to the Philippines.
HIS OPINIONS ON ALASKA.
Believes the Civil Authorities CsuiA
pr>eerve better ORaer-Eatlure Of
the Government Reindeer Expe-
afti~n--His Career In the Army
Ra,es From the Ranks to Grade
Of senior Drigadfer General

Gen. Thomas II. Anderson. the second
highest officer OF the army on the Pa
cifio coast, arrived yesterday on the
Queen from Skagway. where he has been
in command Of the Lynn canal military
dissric, for several months.
With Gen. Anderson came Companies
A and G.. which have been stationed at
Skagway. Capt. F. F. Eastman - In
charge of Company A. with A. /. Las
selgne first lieutenant and E. W. Clark
second. Company G Is in charge OF Capt
Matte, who has been post commander at
Skagway and who Is ranking captain OF
the regiment. Each company is COM
posed OF about fifty men. but orders have
been received to recruit up to war strength
at once.
Gen Anderson was promoted TO briga-
der general several weeks ago. but
he only heard of il few days
before his departure from Dyea-
He has been the ranking colonel
some time, and now. because Of the pro-
molten of all the brigadier generals 10
general of the army.
Though a veteran Of many years of serv-
ice, Gen. Anderson is active and vigorous
He has keen piercing eyes. set back be-
hind large gray eyebrows. His short
beard is iron gray in color. and he wears
Q black silk smoking cap 20 cover the
bald spot on the top Of his head. He can
climb as many trails or perform as many
hours OF hard work in the battlefield or
at headquarters as any OF his men. He
Is why, quick in acton and thought,
and intensely decided when he utters his
orders or his opinions. He is a good
reader Of character, and trusts only those
who have proved their ability to him.
Gen. Anderson was born in Ohio in 1885,
When the civil war broke out he was In
Kentucky practicing law. AT that time
his uncle. Gen. Anderson, was at Fort
Sumter. The young law student tried to
Join his uncle. but. failing in that. Joined
a volunteer regiment as a private. and
has fought his way up from one promotion
to another, until he has become the senior
brigadier general OF the army. He has
seventeen different posts.
mostly in the West, his last enc being
at Lynn canal. where he was sent a few
at the new towns and of the threatening
boundary question. Gen. Anderson avoid
ed declaring martial law by urging the civil
authorities to take active measures for
the suppression of crime. In all proba-
bIity Gen. Anderson will be selected for
an important command in connection with
the invasion of the Philippines.
Speaking OF the conditions in Alaska
relative to civil government. Gen. Ander-
son said yesterday:
Not Enough Civil Ohicers.
II do not hesitate to express my opinion
that there are not enough civil officers
to answer the purposes Of so large a coun-
try as Alaska But IL the civil authori-
ties that are there would do their duty
a little more zealously and not be afraid
to make arrests without complaints and
warrants the law could be preserved and
order preserved better than has been. The
governor of the district has very little au-
thoriiy, and the United States judge is
stationed away over at Sitka, away from
the points where civil officers are needed.
and where 1t requires q two weeks jour
ney to visit. With the court so remote.
it is very difficult TO enforce the law.
either criminal or civil.
'In my opinion. the greatest difficulty
Alaska has to contend with in this con-
nect.on Is the total absence of any sort
OF county or other municipal organiZa.
ton. Another temporary Inconvenience
arises from the fact that by far the larg-
est part OF the population--the people at
Dyea Shagway and Wrangel-are tran
silent. Very few OF these people intend
to make those places their homes. They
canne. serve on Juries: they are unwili.
ing 10 appear as witnesses and avoid serv-
Ing on a posse. The result or all this
IS that the law-abiding people have no
organiza ton. and up to the time the mill
tary went TO Alaska the lswiess popula-
ton had things their own way.
There has been a general impression
that number of civil officers have had
an understanding With or were standing
In with the violators of the law. OF
the truth OF this charge l am not prepared
TO state. have not sought proof Of II,
but / Will say that the fact that the col
fusion is so generally believed has had
very unwholesome effect upon the reputa-
ton OF the law Sn the district.
IT am much pleased with Alaska, ana
think It has great resources and many fine.
energetic people. am only glad 10 leave
Alaska because think my duty az a SOL
der takts me elsewhere. The higher off,
GERS OF the civil authorities have treated
me with great kindliness and conslders-
ton. and have a great respect for them
and am grateful for their cosirtesies-"
should Repeal Liquor Law.
Asked what he thought Of Alaska's pro-
hibitory liquor law. Gen. Anderson said:
THE law ought to be repealed. It can
not ba enforced. and has brought the
whole system Of law in the district into
contempt"
Regarding the unfortunate experience Of
the government IN rs attempt 10 trans
plant reindeer 20 Alaska. the general has
very positive opinions, and these opinions
reflect very severely upon the Rev. DIR.
Sheldon Jackson.
when found that the reindeer expert.
ment was a failure" said the general,
and when the Rev. Or. Jackson tni5 me
that he was acting under authority from
the interior department. I advised the
abandonment; OF the Haines mission ex-
petition. / did SO for another reason
because did nor think thai il was in
accord with the dignity Of eur nation 70
have our United States soldiers pack
away their arms and conceal Their uni
forms when they WIRE performing ths
duties 0rdtrsd hy The government
AS 70 expeditions Mes and :, 70
Na}des ana Geek Inlet wlH say that I