The Forrest City times., 1899-05-05
ALONG THE YUKON RIVER.
Reports from Capt. Richardson and Lieut.. Walker at the War
 Department.
HOW THEY FIND THINGS IN THE YUKON.
Local Government at Circle City, While at Lawand St. MichneIs Or der is Taken More Kindly To- Supplies Plentiful.

Washington, May 4.-Acting Secre- 1etary of War Meiklejohn has given out report from Capt. w. P. Richard son, of the Eighth infantry, who com mands the post at Circle City, Alaska, together with a brief report from Lieut.. E. $. Walker, of the Eighth in- faEtry, in command at St. Michaels, Alaska, upon the conditions existing along the Yukon. According to Capt. Richardson's report the advent of the United States troops at that place met with considerable disfavor from the majority of the people at Circle City, while at St. Michaels, on the other hand, Lieut.. Walker reports that the business men desire the retention of the troops, and he recommends the continuation of the garrison at that point.
 Opposed to Local Government.
 Capt. Richardson made several at tcmpts to induce the better element of the community to establish some sort of local government, and several meetings were held during November and December, but in January, at a big mass meeting, all his work was overturned and by large majority the town decided to reject every form of town government suggested. The sentiment of the meeting, Capt. Rich- ardson says, was "the people of the town already have too much law and government"
 The Opposition Explained.
 Capt. Richardson explains this op- position to the establishment of local government on the ground that few of the inhabitants expect to remain longer than few months or years at most. The only general regulations is- sued by Capt. Richardson up to the time of the report have been for clos ing saloons, dance halls and gambling 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 addition. some general regulations upon sanita- tion and police with the coming of spring.
 A Patrol Established.
 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 tC the betetr element. He comments the work of the commissioners court at Circle City, which, he says, has maintained itself with dignity and has administered the law within the linn its of its authority. At the time Capt. inh hic had been received over the ice from the states.
 Mail Was Lost.
 He understood that the first mail sent through early in the season was lost Local and delayed mail from the outside was received from Dawson in November and December. He directs attention to the advantage of a cross country route from Circle City to Cooks Inlet, or some other point on the coast. The up-river and lake coun- try is also safe for travel during two or three months of the closed season, wheras, the overland route could be used while the river is closed.
 All Quiet and Supplies Plentiful.
 i1tut. NdihSi iSpoits every tiilS quiet along the river on February g. Supplies were plentiful and there were few cases of destitution. The command at Rampant was reported in good health. Lieut.. Walker urgently re-s quests that the garrison be maintained at St. Michaels. The business men want thet roops there, not only be- cause they afford protection, but be- cause difficulties are more quickly and less expensively arranged, and the peo- pie feel that the decisions made by military officers are just and equita- hla