Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-08
DEPARTMENT. OF ALASKA
It is Established and Colonel Randall Az
pointed to Command.
Civil officials Found to He Unable to
Cope With Conditions in
the Territory.

The President has created a new military
department, consisting of the territory of
Alaska. and assigned Col George NJ Ran
dali. Sth United States Infantry. to COM
mand. Col. Randall is on duty with his
regiment in Cuba, but will report here en-
route to Alaska on Monday. January 10.
Col. George H. Randall was born in Ohio,
and entered the service as a private in the
4th Pennsylvania Infantry, April 20. 1861.
and rose to be a lieutenant colonel of the
volunteers June l. 1863
He was appointed to the regular service
October "a. 1861, and rose by regular pro-
motion to be colonel on August $, 1888
He was hrevetted for gallant service in
the battle of Antietam, again brevetted for
gallant service IN front of Petersburs and
for gallant service in the attack on Fort
Stedman. Virginia. and was again brevetted
for gallant services against the Indians in
Arizona.
He was engaged during the war in the
siege of Yorktown, Gaines Mill, Malvern
HILL Bull Run. Antietam, Fredericks sburs
the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House,
Cold Harbor. Petersburg, Weldon railroad
Fort Stedman.
He has had a widely extended and distiu-
guished service the frontier, and had
the special confidence Of Gen. Crook for his
Indians.
Colonel Randall was gent to Alaska. and
was IN command Of Fort st. Michael at the
outbreak of the war with Spain. He was
appointed a brigadier general of volunt.- s.
and returned from Alaska but d.
reach this court, y in tine 10 D5rl'c'pf.a ID,
the active service in Cuba or the Phil. :. r.e
Islands. He was assigned to tho COMM.
OF the Sd Division Of the 2d Army Corps
and when the volunteers were mustered ont
he commanded his regiment in Cuba, where
he is now on duty.
Complete Military Government.
1t was stated at the War Department
that Col. Randall will be given a commits
sion as brieadier general of volunteers in
order that he may have sufficient rank for
the new post. The action of the War De-
partment In this matter is tantamount to
the establishment of complete military
government in Alaska, especially as to the
iloi i'lefH portion. The matter has been
under consideration for a long time and it
was perceived months ago that the present
territorial government was utterly unable
70 oope with the new problems pressing
Tor solution as a result of the great influx
OF miners. There was no disposition to re-
lect IN any way upon the officials of the
terrltorial government, but the fact was
that the civil machinery was totally made
Iuate. and 1t could not be strength thened and
enlarged without considerable legislation,
and the loss Of much valuable time In ad
ditloh To the heavy INN igraton into the
Cape Nome district from the world at
large. the whole Klondike appears to he
emptying its population upon those golden
shores. Naturally thefe is a present dan
ger OF an outbreak of lawlessness and dis
order among the adventurous spirits at
racted TO the mines. aud the total absence
OF anything approaching a civil form of
government among the miners has made it
necessary TO establish this military gov
ernment for the present
Inc War Department. has not vet fixed
upon the number of troops to be assigned
TO the new department Col. Randall has
!, In hot
allowed to exercise his judgment in the
matter. 1t is not believed however, that
large force will be necessary. as the miners
IN Alaska nave usually been quick to
recognize the authority of the United
States government in the person Of a SOL