The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-05-15
A FITTING TRIBUTE TO
 CAPT. HOVEY
Complete Report of the Speech Delivered by
 R.W. Jennings Saturday

Capt. Hovey, whom an the people oi Skagway have learned Co count as one Of themselves, will depart from the city today for the scene oi his new duties. The Daily Alaskan has been enabled to get an accurate report of the speech delivered to Capt Hoyey by R. w. Jennings at the banquet Saturday night, and it 90 attingly represents the feelings Of the people of this city that it is published today 10 full as lsst tribute to him whom all have learned 10 love.
 Mir. Jennings said;
 The time has almost arrived, as we are informed. when you and the officers and men ln your command are to leave the city oi Skagway 10 take up your station at some other post. The good citizens ot Skagway, everyone ot whom Is your personal admirer and many oi whom arc your warm friends, were un- willing that you should depart without bearing with you the memory of some public expression O; the regard in which you personally and your com mand as a whole is held by them, and to taat end was born the idea oi this dinner.
 You came among us three years ago almost Co the day. Ot those who were citizens Of Skagway at that time many arc present here this evening, aud to those present here now who were not citizens of Skagway at that time the rumor of your good deeds has been 30 often repeated that they feel almost as fl they too had been with you from the beginning. Al the tlme ot your arrival here it must bc confessed the surround ings were far from cheerful The con veuiences of life were few ald far be- tween. The facilities Of government were meager indeed. There was no law fully authorized city government; no adequate police or Ire protection. But a singl, court, sitting then at Sitla, ad- ministered the laws throughout the en- tire district Of Alaska. From Juneau north there was but a single deputy United States marshal Co serve process or preserve the peace. There were many Iawless characters in and about the town, ana DO one knew when the clvil authority might be pOwerless Co enforce process oi the courts; no one knew when there might be some kind of trouble with the Indians under their law oi lIfe for life, aod all lived in dread lest the morning might Ind the entire town reduced to a heap of ashes and all its citizens without shelter and without food and at the mercy of the cold and cutting winds that rush from the passes of the mountains. From the very moment Of your arrival you yt yourself lo work O thoroughly under stand thc silultiOn aud Co meet its wants. You did thoroughly master Che conditions aud have ever h-ld yourself and your men in readiness to prevent disaster or Co amcliOratc 10 if in spite of your ,norls. it should in any form overtakc us. The very presence at this point Of the military has exercised a wholesome restraining inaucucc up a some who might otherwise be disposed tO do evil. The knowledge that you were here with your men has, VIC have no doubt prevented any concerted ac- tlon on che part of the natives, who, excited by whisky or the passion of re- venge, might have wrought sad havoc, The fact of your presence and that of your men has been guarantee that the process of the courts should be duly enforced. The knowledge that you had established a Are patrol and that on the darkest and eoldest and widest nights your faithful guards were at their posts or on their beats about the town, and that on alarm of fire they would all turn out and, directed bv your cool  judgment and inc.sive commands, would do everything possible to save property and life has been to an our citizens a cousollng assurance. We have all felt that our own fire department, prompt, eGnCient and worthy as it is and able Co cope with all ordinary Ares, would in the event of general conHagratiou have the hearty and cheerful support and assistance oi wel organized and thoroughly disciplined bod; of men led by one who knew the right thing to dc and when Co do it.
 Your efforts o secure the location ir this city of a permanent army post, ef forts which we hope are soon to b' crowned by complete success, ar' known tO and appreciated by all While discharging your duty to the gov ernment you have not been unmindiuI Of the interest, of SkaRway. We arr not aware of any movement working C the general welfare in which you have not manifested lively concern ana