The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-30
The Alaskan Code.


The Alaskan code bill is now in con-
ference. Several amendments have
been made to It as 1t came from the
senate, but most OF these will be prob
ably agreed TO. A good deal Of matter
which to the house appeared to be SUI
perfluous has been eliminated from tho
measure and some twenty sections have
been stricken out entirely. The consid-
GRAFTON given to the bill has been some
what hurried, and possibly mistakes
have been made which may have to be
corrected, but the code Is something
which has been imperatively demanded
and II is probably better to pass It in
Its present shape than 20 allow the ter.
ritory to 60 without laws as It has in
the past.
The bill provides for the establish
menA OF district court. probate courts
and Justices courts. The district court
IL one OF general Jurisdiction in civil,
criminal and admiralty causes Three
district judges are to be appointed who
shall reside in the three subdivisions of
the district created by the act, one re-
siding at juneau, holding four terms of
court each year. two at Juneau and two
at Skagway; one residing at Nome,
holding at least one term each year: a
third at Eagle City. holding one term
each year. Special terms are authorized
and required when necessary for the
pablo welfare, or for the dispatch OF
business. at such times and places In
the district as the judges at such times
shall deem expedient. or as the attorney
general may direct The respective
Judges appoint and at pleasure re-
move clerks OF court, one for each Judi.
cial subdivision, and commissioners
These commissioners are ex-officio JUS
tices OF the peace. recorders. and pro-
bate Judges. with all the powers. civil
and criminal. conferred on United States
commissioners. They have power also
TO grant writs of habeas corpus return
able before a district Judge. They have
also the powers OF notaries public. A
district attorney Is to be appointed for
each subdivision of the district. who
shall reside at the place Of residence cf
the judge. Subject to the approval OF
the attorney general he may appoint
one or more assistant district attorneys.
AS to mining claims mining locations
and rights incident thereto. the laws Of
the United States are specifically ex-
tended TO Alaska with the proviso that
subject TO such general limitations as
may be necessary to exempt navigation
from artificial distractions all land and
shoal water between low tide and the
tundra shall be subject to exploration
for gold and other precious metals by
citizens of the United States or persons
who have legally declared their inten-
ton to become such under such rea r.
sonable rules and regulations as the
miners In organized mining districts
may have heretofore made or may here
after make governing the temporary
possession thereof for exploration or
mining purposes until otherwise pro-
vided by law. These rules and regula
tions Of miners shah not be in conflict
with the mining Laws Of the United
States. The secretary OF war Is author
ized TO grant permits for dredging uu
der the waters below low tide. but thes
are not 20 be exclusive and any exclu-
sive permits heretofore granted By the
war department are declared null and
void
At any regular or special term the
United States court may establish one
or more recording districts OF which a
United States commissioner Is to be ex
officio recorder. 1t is provided. how
ever. that miners In any organized min
ing district may make rules and regu-
lations governing the recording of no
tees OF location OF mining claims,
Eatex rights. fumes. bitches and mill
&