The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-01-04


The men who have recently arrived here
from Dawson lead Us 10 expect that the
number coming out over the ice this win
ter siu be Comparatively small. and from
this it may be assumed that there win be
no scare as 10 the scarcity OF provisions
These who came out by boat in the fall
expressed opinions tina. there would be
great hardship in the klondike later on.
owning TO the thousands who could and
no occupation and had not sufficient means
10 pay their way back on the steamers
These would have TO De aided with pro
visions 10 enable them TO make the long
tramp hosaeward over the ice.
There are several logical reasons why
the number o. hroken-down gold hunters
trudsing their Christmas holidays on the
One is that more capital went in during
the past year. and that soon as the
frost made drifting possible nearly zoe
men were put TO work. Another Is that
quite an important part OF Dawson's pop
uiation left there In the summer and
them In thorough disgust at the ways
that are dark and peculiar" of the Cana
dian officials. Many OF the Old miners re-
turned TO Circle City AMI Forty Mile, TAX
ing with them newcomers who readily ap
preciated the advantages 10 the miner in
following his calling under the more lib
eral laws of the United States. Others
went TO Eagle City. the new camp some
l50 miles north OF Dawson on the American
side. Eagle City has now a population OF
over 2aeo all OF whom were glad to leave
Dawson and get back 10 their own coun-
try.
Dawson, therefore, Is not the Mecca to-
ward which ali the northern travel now
set in is directed. 1t seems probable, in
fact. that the largest and most important
city In the interior of Alaska will yet la
on American territory. That will depend.
primarily. On the mining development of
this year in the immediate neighborhood OF
what has been called the capital of the
kiondike. and secondly on the action OF
the Canadian government. IL 1t simply
continues the policy of raking in every
dollar possible in royalties franchises,
taxes. licenses and so FORTH and makes no
expenditure, beyond the cost of collection.
for the benefit of the community which
raises such a princeiy revenue, Dawson
certainly cannot retain It's prestige. The
net revenue for the past year will proba-
bly, exceed $l.0uo.ooo. Yet not move has
been made to improve the sanitary condi-
ton of the city, which. by police census
made during the summer. had population
of over ls.0vo people. The rush To Dawson
is practically over: 1t will now have 10
rely upon its merits. with its dement's
cast into the balance. Several of its bust
ness men, now wintering and purchasing
considering whether they will return or
will seek fortune In the new Attn gold
fields. They say that the filthy condition
of Dawson is such that the mortality dur
ing next summer Is certain to be doubly
as high the very high death rate of
last summer-that they fear an wfui cpl
iemie, In fact 1t is reported that the
mail recently lost in the river below Tag
ish. contained important recommendations
to the home government for the improve
ment Of the city, and In this regard the
loss Is indeed dep.orable. as IT viii con-
sumo much valuable time to get out dupli-
Gates of these recommendations before the
Dominion parliament at Ottawa
But, In addition to all this. ii is natural,
In the rapid development of the mining
industry OF Alaska, that Dawson should
have rivals and her strongest one this year
will be Atlin. There the official evils OF
the Klondike are not likely 10 be repeated.
She is in British Columbia. comparatively
near the seat of government and easy of
access all the year round. II is true that
the mining records OF the new district are
considerably nudiled, owing to the UNI
fortunate selection of a very young man
for the important post of acting mining
recorder. bu, Chief Constable Mckenna,
who has been appointed the mining re-
corier, has the reputation Of being a thor
oughiy capable and honest official. AMI the
more recent appointment of Gold Commits
ssoner Graham is also spoken Of In terms
OF high approval by the Canadian press.
So that persons holding or purchasing
Attn claims may reasonably rely upon just
treatment and liberal construction Of the
mining laws of the territory.
Atlin Is not only easy OF access. easy 10
travel in when you yet there. its placeTs
easy to work. but Its mining industry has
prou,lse OF pesmaneney. The creek an3
bench claims on the streams already aocat-