The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-20

that did not conflict with the feherai
statutes and, as a>2naturai consequence
the people have been very mucn at sea on
the criminal questions that have arisen
In the district This condition was en-
dured without very great objection until
1896 and 1897, when the people began TO
come into the country in considerable
numbers and established communities ana
built towns They found that the exist
ing court machinery and laws were en-
tirely inadequate to meet conditions or to
produce the result that would invite peo-
pie and capital to the district. In 1884 and
for several years succeeding. there were
very few people in the district Of Alaska
and those mostly in the southern part.
From 1897 the growth has been remark
ably rapid and those coming in, especial
ly in the southern portion. are settling
with their families.
'"To illustrate some of the inconveni-
ences and conditions that now exist, |
win say that the seat OF government Is
located on the western slope of Baranof
island. some 10 miles on the direct route
of steamer travel with steamer service
nine months out of the year of twice
week. and during the excursion season of
July, August and September few extra
boats. Those having business In the dis
trict court or land Office can only attend to
1t by going to Sitka on these boats every
two weeks and rushing their business
through in the few hours that the boat
lies there. The result Is that every attor-
ney and good many business men along
the mainland of Southeastern Alaska are
compelled to make these trips and owing
to the great rush while the boat Is lying
In the harbor at Sitka, can only accom-
plish very small portion of their work.
This. too. ut considerable pecuniary ex-
pense to themselves and clients and the
loss of some four to seven days time from
their Office and business
Sometimes the boats gets I'm at Sitka
on the sunday and the court and other Of
ficers stay up all Sunday night and COM
mence doing business at IL O'clock II is
not unusual for court 10 be hearing mo-
tions and transacting other business any
time between IL o'clock and daylight,
condition of affairs that Is absolutely I'M
called for and In my Judgment only con-
tinued because congress has not been in
formed of the true condition of affairs.
have known OF great many cases where
these conditions and the length of time It
took TO get TO the court to work made IL
an absolute denial OF justice to persons
who had meritorious cases by reason of
their cases being lost. tho parties getting
out OF the country before the court could
be reached
"Sinee 1897 the Increase In the general
business of the district has been more
than doubled and the court machinery that
TO meet the conditions even OF Southeast
ern Alaska. Of course, you VIII under
stand that there IL constant grumhle.
and a just one. at all this. In August,
1897 the Skagway Chamber OF Commerce
took up tho matter Of calling a general
convention Of the whole district. I think
| had tho honor OF putting the matter In
motion that finally eliminated in the cali
ing of the convention and my being sent
here as | FIRST introduced the resolution
In our Chamber OF Commerce providing
that IL send three mon to the city OF Ju-
ncau to confer with the chamber there
looking toward the calling at the Conven-
ton. The two chambers issued a general
call TO the district 10 meet In delegate -rnn.
vention IN juneau on the 9th % October.
Tho call was received az most Of the prin-
clpal towns along the Yukon and Cape
with the result that when the hour for
opening the convention on the 9Th Of oc-
tober AT Juneau arrived there we're found
to be nfiy-siN Delegates from the diner
cut parts Of the district IN attendance.
The Yukon river WAS represented ny a
delegate from Eagle and Ia fact al por-
items excepting the Cape Nome district.
whose delegate failed to arrive AT the
convention IN time. were represented
The convention went into session and
conducted It's business very much after
the manner 81 a state legislature, u was
In session ten days, with the result 81 adj
dressing a memorial TO congress and fran
Ing laws or suggestions for LAWS. II ear
ncstly asked congress 20 pass laws 90
meet present conditions, and elected me
20 brns this matter 70 congross.'
-
When asked as to the lines upon which
the request Of the convention was direct
cd. Mr.. Price stated They asked f7r
a. Al