Douglas Island news., 1904-08-03
"WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 1904
CHARLES A. h0PP Editor and Proprietor.
To the People of Southeastern
 Alaska.

for the past four years has so vi eiouslv abused his powers in the ad- winistration of the judicial functions of government in Division No. l, has cone never to return, is conceded. The country is to be congratulated; most earnestly: most heartily; most solemn Ny We have been relieved from a sit nation that had grown intolera6le. Not onIv were the Judge of the District Court, and his henchmen, engaged ln the corrupt business of PlundeFing where p,under could be had, but the mast wear. and more, condign punish ments were being visited from the bench upon all who opposed or crItlcls- ed these methods.
 The conditions were in a measure Known to the whole community, yet such was the power vested by law m sbe Judge of the District Court, and sncb was fhe fear engendered by bis known vengeful abuses of that Power' that it appeared for time that no one would dare effectively protest. All honor to the men who organized ana led the aght-especially to the Hon. John G. Held, who at his own expense oftims and money, has taken the lead ing part in the effort to purge the country of an indecent and corrupt court
 But SAare are other questions grow fsR ou& oR these cond itions that should net bo forgotten. And If the people of Southeastern Alaska are worthy of Hayina decent officials and an honest cours, if they are worthy the name of American citizens, they will not 6e fSreoEten. For aS least two years past, there has been in our midst, an organ ized conspiracy to steal. The Judge ot the court in the very nature of things, was practically powerless without the efforts of the henchmen whose aid he has enjoyed. The Judge has gone, but these men remain. It is unnecessary to call their names. They are known of all men. Shall they be allowed to remain in our midst and go upwhipped of,justice? Is the bland smile on the face of the "Totem Pole" to con- tinue it's self-congratulatory spread over the filchings he has picked through "his friend at court?" Is the Gay Lothario and Uriah Heap in one, his partner, to have no inquiry made as to his relations with the judicial graft? And shall no investigation be made into the doings of the young man i'm ported expressly to be made receiver of a great property? And last but not least shall no inquiry be made into the doings of the chief lieutenant, the high priest in this hierarchy of fraud-the clerk of the court? These are the i'm portant questions still confronting the people of this district. If a moiety of the evidence laid before the commls- sion recently sent out from Washing ton, shall De placed before an un- packed grand jury, there can be little doubt that indictments would be re- turned. They have carefully conceal ed the greater part of the wicked graft they have SO long enjoyed, but enough evidence can be had it is con hdentialIy believed to secure indict- ments and convictions. If SO, the people of Southeastern Alaska owe it to themselves, and to their future tC see to it that their evidence is placed in the proper hands. The matter should not be allowed to rest or abate one in' stant. Those members of the legal profession who have shared in the plunder and aided in the frauds, should be stripped of their professional priVi ieges and punished for their crimes All other abettors of judicial corrup Sion should be searched out and dealt with. 1t is up Co the people of South 0EsEern Alaska to say whether thi! SAall De done or not. The petty thie ES caught and ruthlessly prosecuted snd puniShed. That Is but justice RhalI less bs done to the gang, wht 1.-Two been stealing tbOuSands throuEl sae corruption of justice at it's yer! source and fountain head? The dis trict attorney is an honest man ant will do bis duty. The services of majority, at least, of the bar, can b. had gratuitously in this work o cleansing the community. Will thos persons in whose breasts reposes tn evidence required, come forward witt