The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-11
COMMISSIONER FOR
PORCUP|NE DISTRICT.
JUSTICE MARTIN TO INQUIRE INTO
NEWLY RISEN DISPUTES.
VIII he Clothed by British Columbia
Government with Powers similar
to Those Exercised in the AtIin
District by Justice Irving.

Special Dispatch to the Post-1nteiligencer.
VICTORIA, Aug. l0.-The final sitting
of the legislature for this week was
marked by the most important announce
ment yet vouchsafed by the government.
Intimatfon was made by the attorney gen
eral that, on the 18th inst, Justice
Martin would be dispatched as a special
commissioner to inquire into the disputes
which have arisen incident TO the trans
fer of portion of the Porcupine dis
trict from the United States 10 British
control. His honor viii be clothed with
similar powers to those exercised by
Justice Irving In the Atlin district last
year. and the hope was expressed on both
sides of the house that the outcome OF
the mission will be equally happy.
His authority will be practically abso-
lutte. and Of course more largely dis
cretionary than is the case in the ordi-
nary administration OF justice. Most OF
the claims in the district mentioned were
staked under the provisions of the Alas
kan law. and this will further complicate
the disputes ordinarily arising through
claim jumping. The government was
fortified in it's course by a letter from
Gold Commissioner Graham. who was
dispatched to the district upon a modus
vivendi being reached between the Cana
dian and the United States commission
ers.
Nature OF the Mission.
Under the impression that the new COM
missioner was destined for Atlin the Lead
er of the opposition entered strong pro-
test. affirming that the conditions In the
Atlin district were no longer such as to
warrant the delegation Of such extraor-
binary powers to any man. The decisions
of such a commissioner. although some
times Involving immense interests. were
final and irrevocable. and deprive the
ntigants utterly of the right of appel.
He did not consider that the conditions
warranted this. Judge Irving having dis
posed of all matters arising out of bound
ary disputes and defective records, and
the present disputes being exclusively
such as could be disposed of through the
medium OF the common mining laws.
The real nature of the mission, how
ever. being explained. there was ready
acuuiescence in the governments course
on both sides of the house
Exclusion of Mongoltans.
Cant. Tatiow, representing Vancouver
is the latest legislator to grapple with
the question OF the exclusion OF Mongo'
lians. Today he introduced measure fai
the regulation OF immigration. which. u
is fondly hoped, will not only exclude the
offending Oriental. but. what is more I'M
portant. will evade the disailowance pre-
roga,ive.
II revives the old educational test In Q
new form. Under It's provisions the I'm
migration TO British Columbia OF any per
son who il unable to write out and sign or
application to the provincial secretary II
some European language Is declared to 10
unlawful. The author OF the bill. py
means OF a number of riders. has made
provision to safeguard the interests OF
those of the Caucasian race upon whom
otherwise, the measure would work q
hardship. Very heavy penalties attend
the violation of any of the provisions OF
the bill.
The introduction OF similar measures
from the opposition side of the house has
been met by such ingenious arguments
from the occupants of the treasury
benches that curiosity is expressed to sec
now the government viii receive such
suggestion emanating from one OF theii
own supporters. II is probable that he
necessity for a short session will agar
be made the basis Of another request fol
the temporary consignment of this vexet
and troublesome question TO political
limbo.