The record-union., 1899-05-04

The Advent Of Troops Met With Much
Favor at Circle City.
Business Men at st. Michael Desire
the Retention of Military Au-
thority, Large Majority of the
Citizens of the Town at a Public
Meeting Rejecting Every Form
of Civil Government Suggested.

WASHINGTON, May 3.-Acting Sec
rotary of War Meiklejohn to-day gave
out a report from Captain w. P Rich
ardson Of the Eighth Infantry, who
commands the post at Circle City,
Alaska, together with a brief report
from Lieutenant E. S. Walker of the
Eighth Infantry. in command at st.
Michael, Alaska, upon the conditions
existing along the Yukon.
According to Captain Richardson's re-
port the advent of the United States
troops met with considerable favor
from the majority of the people at
Circle City, While at ST. Michael Lieu
tenant Walker reports that the business
men desire the retention of the troops,
and he recommends the continuation of
the garrison at that point Captain
Richardson made several attempts to
induce the community to establish some
sort of local government, and several
meetings were held in November and
December, but in January, at a big
mass meeting, all his work was over
turned, and by a large majority the
town decided to reject every form of
town government suggested. The SEN
timent of the meeting, Captain Rich
ardson says, was: The people of the
town already have too much law and
government.
Captain Richardson explains this OPP
position to the establishment of local
government on the graund that few of
the inhabitants expect to remain longer
than a few months or years at most.
The only general regulations issued by
Captain Richardson have been for clos
ing saloons, dancing halls and gamb-
ling places from 8 a. m. until 8 p. m
on Sunday, and against the carrying of
concealed weapons.
He says he may be obliged to pre-
scribe in addition some general regu-
lations upon sanitation and police with
the coming OF spring. He established a
patrol of one non-commissioned officer
and six men in the town, and reports
that this Work has been satisfactory
and acceptable to the better element.
AT the time Captain Richardson sent
his report no mail had been received
over the ice from the States. He I'M
derstood that the first mail sent
through early in the season was lost.
Local and delayed mail was received
from the outside in November and De-
cember. He directs attention to the
advantage of a cross route from Circle
City to Cooks Inlet. or some other
point on the coast The up-river and
lake country is only safe for travel dur
ing two or three months of the closed
season, whereas the overland route
could be maintained while the river is
closed.
Lieutenant Walker reported every
oI1 Iy1I1,~
airy Sth. Supplies were plentiful, and
there were few cases of restitution. The
command at Rampant was reported in
good health The business men want
the troops there not only because they
afford protection, but because difficult
ties are more quickly and less expen-
sively arranged, and the people feel
that the decisions made by military
officers are just and equitable.
Some stray reports of possible trouble
with the Indians 1T the mouth of the
Koyukuk River were reported to him,
and Lieutenant Walker is apprehensive
thai some trouble may occur in the
Goodwin Bay mining district, as there
is a disorderiy element at that point
Many failures are reported among the
builders of small river steamboats,, due
apparently in the majority of cases to
a poor quality of machinery. Lieuten-
ant Walker warns the public that no
machinery can be obtained, and that
faulty machinery cannot be repaired or
replaced without great loss of time and
expense. He also says that many
steamboat men come without proper
papers as masters and engineers, and
have difficulty in clearing from the
ports The dock is being built at Circle
City, and will be ready for use during
the coming season.
He says that the troops are we'll sup
piled with clothing except fur gloves
and suggests that a good library is
needed for the troops.