New-York tribune., 1900-02-08
ALASKAN!S SEEKING RELIEF.
CONGRESS URGED TO ENACT SOME MUCH
NEEDED LEGISLATION.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]


Washington. Feb. IA large delegation from
Alaska is here Urging Congress 10 enact some
legislation under which government may be or
ganized in that Territory soon as the rush to
the gold fields begins in the spring. Among the
delegates IS Governor John G. Brady, who has
lived for twenty-five years in Alaska and is
Of the Oldest citizens Of the Territory He was for
merly Presbyterian missionary, and is a gradu-
ate of Yale University. and Union Theological
Seminary. of New-York Others W. l. Disttn,
Surveyor-General: William a. Kelly supervisor Of
the census; John G. Price who was appointed a
delegate by a convention of miners; Richard
F Lewis, a prominent business OF Juneau:
Mr.. Washburn, manager Of the Alaska CONNER
ciaI Company; Louis Sloss, jr,, business man
from Skagway and many Others including Father
Barnuu. a Roman Catholic missionary. who spent
many years in Alaska, but is nos" librarian Of the
Georgetown University.
These men make reasonable requests for legisla-
is absolutely necessary for the protection
Of the people and the preservation Of the peace
They ask first for the establishment OF courts at
St. Michael or Cape Nome, at Eagle City and at
Juneau or Skagway. There is only one court
in the Territory and people compelled to go
1000 miles and often longer distance and 10 re-
main away from their homes several months and
sometimes a year, when they interested In hti-
cation summoned witnesses
Last summer 200 we're arrested for violation
OF the mining laws Of the gold camps and
taken TO the nearest town They were all
staIwart miners, and their captor a second
lieutenant in the Army, twenty-five years Oiu just
out of West Point Military Academy. He had
guard consisting Of a corporal and five privates
10 hold custody 200 Of the toughest characters
that a mining camp attracts The prisoners sub
mitted with the greatest good nature, although
they chaffed the little lieutenant in their wild
Western way and had all the fun that the excur-
sion would furnish; but when he got them 10 the
nearest town there was no court to try them.
no jail 70 hold them. not even a justice Of the
peace and meals at the hotels and restaurants cost
s each with lodgings at a similar amount.
The absurdity of the situation recognized by
the entire population There the young lieu
tenant. without dollar in his pocket, in charge Of
hundred prisoners. which the law compelled
him TO hold in custody" and furnish subsistence
at the rate Of $40 day, with prospect of
ever being relieved Of his preposterous responsible
fly until Congress passed for the establish
rnent Of a court TO try his prisoners. His only
tans more than a thousand miles TO the nearest
court. The boy could do nothing but release his
prisoners and go back with them TO the place they
came from as good-naturedly as possible. The in
cident illustrate the respect which those
rough men for the authority of their Govern
rnent and the law abiding spirit Of the toughest
portion OF the population.
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS NEEDED
The delegation from Alaska asks for other leg
slation which is even more imperative particular
" authority organize municipal governments
which cannot be done under the present statutes.
Towns of 15oO and 1000 people already exist by
suferance and they are governed by officials elect
ed without the authority of law 1t is another IL
lustration Of American manhood Their authority
IS respected and obeyed without question although
everybody knows that the exercise OF power is un-
lawful and authorized only by public sentiment
There are no county. township municipal or
ganizations IN Alaska; school districts. no po-
Ice, no fire departments, no power TO make roads
or streets enforce order or sanitary condi-
tions except by common consent and where money
is needed for these purposes 1t is raised by sub
r5nrf0 hfS aOnn z
BeIore June Jun II Is oao b,tsnts tT and II s
Nome Will c4ntah +Oyo 90 1aree cnTnmnntv can
be governed without law or formal authority.
dreaSf9y BefoTe f the last boat left there an ep
is no telling how far it has extended. There is
sewerage no method of disposing OF garbage and
supply used for drinking and cooking is taken from
river which flows through a. Ieas aith Two & MINING
There is no other source OF supply and no power
Of pypfod fever Is traced directly this and un-
something is done Immediately on the opening
dstilling apparatus by which the SAT- may be ex-
traeted from sea water Lne ha areaGy rescbd the
Hawaiian Islands. should be communicated to Cape
sands Of lives would pay the penalty Of neglect
The dslegatSn also aSEs f the SUPPORT OF scboos
postofices mail service. prisons ana Lor other pur-
eeoommunity There is plenty OF money for this pur-
pose. The United States Goyernmnent over IN Tow collects
ZION, which goes into the Treasury al Washing
and not more than ns nav ~ these taRss Tb roa
only way get Il out Of the Treasury of III is BY
States sitting in Washington is the only legtsat
y-oEy IRE 81 from ave thousand 10 thousand
miles distant. and with an area ot otS1,so square
M nss rs mssissspDi River Not dollar OF taxes
collected In Alaska can be xpsee any Pnr
81 the members Of congress OF Sa9 r.P Y per cent
have nsyer se nsl ma.f u whom only vague
idsa Of the conditions existing there