The Topeka state journal., 1899-05-03
TOO MUCH LAW ALREADY,
People of St Michael Oppose Any
Additional Restraint

Washington. May 3.-Acting Secretary of
War Meiklejohn today gave out a report
from Captain W P. Richa rdson of the
Eighteenth infantry, who commands the
post at Circle City. Alaska. together with
a brief report from Lieutenant E 5.
Walker Of the Eighth infantry in COM
mand at St Michael Alaska, upon the con-
ditions existing along the Yukon Ac-
cording to Captain 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 Michael on the other
hand. Lieutenant Walker reports that the
business men desire the retention of the
troops and he recommends the continual
ton of the garrison at that point Captain
duce the better element of the conmDnitv m
to establish some sort of local government
November and DeceInter but in Jau11ar1
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. Captain Richardson SAYS
was that the people of the town already
have too much law and government
Captain Richardson explains this opDo-
sition to the establishment of local govern
habitants expect to remain longer than a
general regulations issued by Captain
Richardson up to the time of the report
and gambling places from 8 a m. until 9
D. m on Sunday and against the carrying
be obliged to prescribe in addition some
general regulations upon sanitation and
ponce with the coming OF spring He
established a patrol of one non-comrnis-
stoned officer and six men in the town,
and reports that this work has been sat
isfactory and acceptable to the better eIe-
commissioners court at Circle City. which
he says has maintained itself with dignity
limits of its authority. At the time the
captain sent his report no mail had been
that the first mail sent through early in
the season was lost Local and delayed
Dawson in November and December. He
directs attention to the advantage OF a
Cooks Inlet or some other point on the
coast The up-rtver and lake country is
months of the closed season. whereas the
overland route could be used while the
Lieutenant Walker reports everything
quiet along the river on February s Sup
cases Of, destftution- The command at
Rampant was reported in good health.
rison be maintained at St. Michael. The
business men want the troops there, not
because difficulties are more quickly and
less expensively arranged and the people
officers are just and equita BILE.
Some stray reports of possible trouble
yukuk river were reported and Lieutenant
Walker is apprenticeship that some trou-
BILE may occur in the GOlOvin bay mining
district, as there is a disorderIy element at
tnat Po!nI- Many 1alIureS are reported
boats, due apparently in the majority of
cases TO a poor quality of machinery.
Lieutenant Walker warns the public tha t
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 steam
boat men come without proper apers as
masters and engineers and for this reason
have difficulty in clearing from the ports.
\ dock is beng built Circle City and
will be ready for use during the coming
season.
He says that the troops are well supplied
clothing 2
gests that good library is needed for the