The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-10-10

ton in congress- delegate to look
after their interests just as our con-
gressmen in the states are. supposed
to look after ours. They want other
things, too-good roads, revision of
the mining laws and many are par
ticularly anxious for territorial gov
eminent. On this latter point the
Alaskans are not unanimous, but there
is no dissent from the proposition that
Alaska should have delegate in con-
gress. There Is some question, how
ever, as to how he should be chosen
whether elected or appointed. But
the desire for a delegate is universal,
is natural and reasonable, and con-
gress will no doubt provide for such
representative in some way at an early
date. When that time comes, I can
pick out the man for the place, and I
| believe the people Of Alaska would
approve the selection by a large ma
jority. I do not say that there are
no other men in Alaska who might
serve the district as we'll as he; T am
sure none would serve it better. ~.
| 1 began to hear about him at Sc
attic. I was told that I would prob
ably find him somewhere on the Yu-
kon and I must not fail to see him;
that he knew Alaska thoroly and was
thoroly reliable. I heard that same
1t was the same thing at Dawson and
at Eagle. And so when our boat
swung around toward the left bank
of the Yukon Monday, July 20, and
tied up at Rampant, was pleased to
find that, according to expectations,
the man of whom I had heard at
every stage of the journey, James
Wsckersham, United States district
judge for the central division Of Alas
ka, was about to begin a term of
court at that place. Judge Wickersham
is the man who was sent up to Nome to
clean up the nuss Judge Noyes of
Minneapolis left there when he and
his marshal. Alex. Mackenzie, had to
go down and explain to the circuit
court at San. Francisco two years
ago. Judge Wickersham made fine
job of it while he was at it, but he
was assigned too soon to the central
judicial circuit. He is held in high
esteem as a thoro Alaskan and man
of the people. He has been all over
: the district, "mushed'* with the pack
ers on the trail, shared with the
miner and the prospector the rough
est experiences Of their lot, and IN
derstands thoroly from personal OBJ
servation and experience what Alaska
needs and has a right to claim al
the hands of congress. He is man
of good address and fine attainments
and would make an exceedingly cred
liable representative in Washington
where his level-headed, common
sense view Of things would command
, respect and greatly enhance his in
fluence.
l ID AMPART is one Of the places
, n where Judge Wickersham
/, holds court. His district is 50(
l miles wide and 900 miles long. 1t ex
1 tends from the North Pacific ocean tt
s the Arctic ocean and from the interna
2 boundary On the east to the
r mouth of the Koyukuk. There isn't {
I mile of railroad in it and no Wagon
s road worthy Of the name. The
e means of transportation are steam
< ers along the south coast and on the
e Yukon river, which runs thru the mid
n die Of the district. When court il
: held at Eagle or Rampant for the &C
e commodation of the people of tn
e central and northern parts of the dis
: trict, justice costs time and money
One man, Judge Mckenzie, United
= States commissioner at Cold Foot OF
" miles and 27 days to get to Rampar
d to attend court. It would take hin
d longer to get home, as the larger par
l. 'of his journey is on the Koyukuk an,
# up stream.
7. In Alaska the administration Of tn,
r laws is committed to three fedora
e judges and the commissioners whom
e the judges appoint. The federal cou1
- issues all licenses, franchises an
lie charters and collects all occupatio
j. taxes. The commissioners correspon
II to the justices Of the peace in tn
k states with the added functions q
ot coroner, recorder and probate judge
u Every settlement or village or minin
'r district Of Importance where there ar
} 200 or more men has a commissions
n, who Is practically the whole thing s
m far as the enforcement of law is cor
cerned. These commissioners az
70 usually selected with great care an
v as rule are a superior grade Of mel
I'd 1t is important that they should be S
RS selected as appeal from them to tn
k, federal judge nearly always involve
l. great expense for transportation
in principals and witnesses to the estal
lie lished places of holding court.
n Rampant was full of litigants an
le attorneys and witnesses from Eag
III and Circle City, from the uppt
lg Koyukuk and the Tanana and oth'
(. places in the interior. Some Grimm
business was pending, grand jul
st *''tMush' is the Alaska word for wal
Ill One 'mushes" when he walks over t
n trail. ~