The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-05-04
TOO MUCH GOVERNMENT
Miners at Circle City Made a
e- Protest.
SUPPLIES ARE PLENTIFUL
Very Few Cases OF Destitution Reported
Several Mails Have Been Lost
Possible Trouble With
the Indians

Washington, May 3.-Acting Secre-
tary of War Meiklejohn to-day gave
out a report from Captain w. P. Rich
ardson of the Sth infantry, who COM
mands the post at Circle City Alaska,
together with brief report from Lieu
tenant f. S. Walker of the Sth infan-
try, in command at st. Michaels, AL
aska, upon the conditions existing along
the Yukon. According to Captain
Richardson's report the advent of the
United States troops met with consid-
cradle disfavor from the majority of
/, the people at Circle City, while
at st. Michaels Lieutenant Walker re-
ports that the business men desire the
retention of the troops. and he recon-
mendS the continuation of the sarrl-
son at that place. Captain Richard
son made several attempts to induce
the community to establish some sort
of local government and several meet
ings We're held in November and De-
cember, but in January at a big mass
meeting all his work was overturned
and by large majority the town de-
cided to reject any form of town gov
eminent suggested. The sentiment of
the meeting, Captain Richardson says,
was the people Of the town already
Captain Richardson explains this OPP
position to the establishment of a To-
cal government on the ground that
few Inhabitants expect to remain long
er than few months or a year at most.
The only general regulations issued by
Captain Richardson have been for clos
ing saloons, dancing halls and gamb
ling places from a. m. until p. m.
on Sunday and against the carrying
of concealed weapons. He says he
may be obliged to prescribe in addi
ton some general regulations 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 the
work has been satisfactory.
He recommends the work of the COM
n1issioners' court at Circle City, which.
he says has maintained itself with
dignity and administrator the law
within the limits of its authority At the
time Captain Richardson sent his re-
port no mail had been received over the
ice from the states. He understood
that the first mail sent through early
in the season was lost. Local and de-
layed mail was received from the out
side in November and December 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 during the two or.
three months of the closed season.
whereas the overland route could be
used while the river is closed DE-
Lieutenant reports everything quiet
along the river on Feb. s. Supplies
We're plentiful and there We're few cases
of restitution, The command at Ram
part was reported in good health. The
business men want the troops there
not only because they afford protec-
ton, but because difficulties are more
quickly and less extensively arranged
and the people feel that the decisions
made by military officers are just and
equitable. f
Some stray reports of possible trou-
bic with the Indians at the mouth of
the Koyukuk river We're reported to
him and Lieutenant Walker is appre-
hensive that some trouble may occur
in the Golovin bay mining district, as
there is a disorderly element at that
point. Many failures are reported
among the builders of small river
steamboats,, due apparently, in the ma
jority of cases, to a poor quality of
machinery. Lieutenant Walker warns
the public that no machinery can be
obtained and that faulty machinery
cannot be repaired or replaced with
out great loss of time and expense.
He also says many steamboat men
) come without proper papers as mas
tiers 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 the troops were well
supplied with clothing, except fur
gloves, and suggests that a good IL
Vary is needed for the troops.
Sailed for Alaska.
Seattle, Wash, May 3.-The steamer
Excelsior, which sailed for Copper