The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-26

Prospects for legislation at tho present
session of congress relative to Alaska are
very bright, according to John p. Hart
man, the attorney, who returned yester-
day from months business trip through
the East, a week OF which he spent at the
national capital. Mr.. Hartman was re-
quested to speak before the senate COM
mittee on territories on the various Alas
kan bills now pending before congress. he
also interviewed a number OF senators and
representatives who are members or the
committees having in charge the Alaskan
bills. He said he found a desire to pass
general laws providing for the needs or
the district and giving the people of Alas
ka the relief for which they have long Pc
titi0ned
Mr.. Hartman stated that before tho
members Of the senate committee on ter
ritories there was a proposition to carve
out a new district in Alaska, to be called
the district Of Seward This is to consist
of the coast region south OF Mount st.
Elias and west of the coast range Of
mountains, and would take in the prfnci-
pal towns of Southeastern Alaska, lcav-
ing the Yukon valley, Nome and the Alas
kan peninsula a separate district, to Re
known, as now. as Alaska.
Alaska ON Its Merits.
n was agreeably surprised to find among
congressmen a disposition to consider the
Alaskan question ON its merits" Mr.. Hart
man said. by tnat mean that the
members Of both bI ranches of congress ap-
pear to be wiilin.. to concede the great
need of propa~ LEGISLATION for the district.
There has been wonderful change IN
sentiment am, ing the members of con-
Sfcss on the Alaskan questions. Senators
who were formerly conservative have
speak before the senate committee on
territories. All found the members more
tran willing to learn everything possible
concerning the tlstrict and the needs of
its people, as well as a desire, which Is
nor bounded by party lines, to formulate
laws which viii enable the people OF Alas
va to make greater progress.
Several members of the house, who
are on committees which will pass on
measures affecting Alaska, asked me for
Of fss its
and other resources. etc. found among
the congressman, as among the senators,
g great desire to learn Al the ss facts. ana a
better school system and with municipal
government for the cities.
May Pass General Bill.
From all I could learn at Washington
am we'll satisfied that congress at this
session will pass general bill which will
provide for the expenditure in the district
rived from the operation of the tax law
In. force. | believe congress will give
Alaska a code of laws, and a land law
which will give landholders q fee simple
title to their real estate. / also feel con-
fident that three judicial districts, each
with its judge, marshal, clerk and depu-
ties. will be provided.
''In the house and senate committees
the Alaskan bills seem to have the right
of-way. They are more nearly compiet-
ed than many other important measures
to be acted on by congress this winter. In
Washington met John c. Price, the rep
resentative sent by the Juneau conven-
ton, who Is doing splendid work. He Is
recognized as a substantial and able man,
and is known as "a disinterested worker
for the benefit of the whole district. Gov
Brady is also in Washington, and doing
good work.
''The Washington delegation is making
every possible effort to have appropria-
lions made for the erection of lighthouses
in Alaska. This will be done, believe.
1t is probable that q new lighthouse dis
trict will be created.
"Seattle's reputation in the East is
above par. 1t Is not necessary for one to
register from Seattle, Wash. Plain Seat
tie will do, and when people in the hotels
or on the trains learn that u Seattle man
is around they lose no time in making in
quiries concerning this city, the state of
Washington and Alaska. Seattle is in
separately associated with the Nome and
Yukon gold districts in the minds of East
erners. Nome is talked about both on
this and the other side of the Mississippi
valley"