The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-08

The Fight Over the Vacant Alas
ka Judgeship Bids Fair TO Throw
the Appointment Into the Hands
of q Resident of the East.
Special Dispatch to the Post-Intelligencer-
WASHINGTON, Feb g. A bill estab-
fishing a civil government in Alaska, and
providing complete code OF laws for
that territory has been agreed TO by the
subcommittee OF the senate committee on
territories. and Will be reported to the SEN
ate tomorrow or Friday. AS 1t Is the
product OF the work OF the committee dur
ing nearly the entire last session Of the
last congress and thus far of the present
one. IT embodies some very important Leg
islation, and is believed TO be practically
at this time what will become law.
No Delegate in Congress.
1t brings disappointment TO many friends
OF Alaska now here. In that it does not
allow the territory a delegate in con-
gress, or the right to establish municipal
governments throughout the territory.
Delegate Price stated this afternoon that
otherwise II was very satisfactory bin.
Some of Its Features.
1t changes the capital from sitka to
Juneau, establishes three district courts.
with three judges. marshals. clerks and
district attorneys. The places OF holding
court viii be juneau. st. Michael and Cir
Gle City. II extends the power of the gov
ernor and OF United States commissioners:
creates Il surveyor genera, ex officio sec
retary OF the district, instead of the clerk.
and provides for ten United States com
mlssioners. TO be appointed by the presi-
dent. with as many more commissioners
as may be needed throughout the district,
to be appointed by judges. 1t establishes
an insane asylum. which experience has
shown is much needed, and provides for
ex oficio recorders in various sections.
In some cases commissioners will act as
recorders. in others the clerks Will act.
Coal Lands and Public surveys.
bill prepared by Delegate Price will
be introduced by Representative Jones.
extending to Alaska United States laws
relating to coal lands and public surveys.
Claims OF Chinook Indians.
Senator Turner introduced a bill today
providing that the claim of tho band OF
Chinook Indians for moneys collected and
deposited by the United States in the
treasury from the sale Of lands. belong
ing to these Indians be referred 10 the
court of claims,
Transportation of Washtnston Dead.
Senator Foster. on behalf Of the state
authorities. endeavored to procure from
the war department permission to TAX.
the bodies of the Washington volunteers
upon their arrival in san Francisco IN ac-
cordance with the provisions OF the act
Of the last legislature. which appropriated
$4,000 for their burial.
The secretary of war today declined 20
hermit the state authorities 10 take pos
session OF the bodies. hut reiterates his
Willingness to transport. at government ex-
pense, "a any part q the state any corpse
claimed BY the nearest relative or legal
representative. and says the state authori-
ties can then take charge Of the bodies
am give them such burial as may be de-
sired
Cutting Down Forest Reserves.
The matter of excluding three hundred
thousand acres * land from Olympia for
est reservation in Claliam county and two
hundred thousand acres 90 Jefferson county
Is being favorahly passed upon by the COM
mlsalsuers Of the general land ofaee and
IA now before Secretary Hitchcock Tor APP
provaL The Indications are thai this half
million acres win be restored 20 the pgbAe
domain. II will include practically al yai-
ley lands suitahle for agriculture. and Leg
islatlon Wiz he enacted giving settlers three
months preference right 10 take ~ these
lands over scrip heiaera-
Applicant. for Alaska Jadsc.hip..
The excessive number 81 applicants for A.
nska tudgaships delays the appointment a
a successor 20 Judge Johnson. Nearly al
the Coast senators agree that some Eastern
dark horse wiIl get The Jdb. California has
al least half dpxsn candidates. The
Oregon senators have united on Judge
Hunt. OF Southern Oregon. while the " ASA
ingtnn Delegation has not decided between
the three leading candidasss--Jpass
HarnsS. OF Seattle; Judge wlckerzham. 0f
Tacoma. and sx-Consrssssan Hyde, q
Spokane. Senator shoop. Of Idaho. Is back
ing Judge Stewart. Nho vas connected
With the miners trial al Wartnsr.