Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-12-21
lFrom Golfers. MeekIyl

stand how lids exist fer the purpose
OF being sat upon. we shall first sum-
Marie little of the preceding his
tory If Alaska. showing how those
who revealed the rObber barons at
work there were squelched then, even
as now Besides. it connects with
the present grabs in various inter
'stng respects.
The Alaska Gold Mining Company.
organized by Washington politicians.
exploited Alaska with SO high hand
that even Washington gasped at the
brazenness Then the spoil was gold
now it is copper and ccal. Rex Beach
told the story. Later he made its
facts the foundation for his novel,
The Spoilers" Speaking CT the poli-
Cy Ct SUPPRESSION which then con-
tr He'd in Washington. he said: You
haven't heard. of it? OF course not.
When the scandal came out. il was
smothered and the public kept in ig-
norance. Criminals were pardoned,
records expunged, thieves exalted to
new honors" The wheels Ct justice
at Washington were mystersousiy
cl eyed The scheme. as originally
planned and for long time success
fully carried out, was to seize ana
operate. in the interest of the Alaski
Gold Mining Company, the rich Nome
placer mines owned by the unlettered
but respecting prospectors- IL
was proposed to steal these mines
other bv an adroitly wcrded act of
congress-just as Ballinger tried 70
legalize the Cunningham claims by
having the laws amended-Or, fail-
ing that 10 confiscate them by de-
cjsions of the Alaska courts, when
were 10 be Ct their own making ana
annointment-exac as Balllnger
sought to have his subordinates Gre
ate by the Pierce decision a special
law for the Cunningham claims.
Alexander Mckenzie OF North Dakota
was the captain of this filibustering
enterprise Donald r. Mckenzie IS
one of the chief conspirators IN the
nresent attempted steal. Alec NC
Kenzie was backed and ably defended
by the two senators from North Ia
kota-McCumber and Hansborough'
Fred bennett, the present ccHiiiiss-
Toner OF the general land office, VINO
figures actively in the Cunningham
cases was a former private secretary
Of Senator marlborough lie WAS
clerk of the senate committe on pup
lie lands. of which Hansborough was
chairman. for several years immedi-
atelv nrior to becoming special lana
agent in the West by appointment OF
Rallinger. then commissioner OF the
general land Office.
Alter all preparations had been per
fected at the Washington end spurious
sujrs we're brought in Alaska against
tho owners of mast of the rich piacers
of Nome. Mckenzie was appoihleu
recaiver of these claims by Arthur H.
Moves his judge, and under proueo-
ton of the United States troops pro-
ceeded to gut the mines under Ine
eyes # the owners. He carried OIL
tho geld TO his own vaults. Wneh
the facts became known. was
found that the stock of the Alaska
enid Mining Company was distributed
generously throughout Official circles
in washington. Judge Noyes denleu
anneaIs to the defeated lltigants
,,hoss nroperties had been confis-
Gated. Certified copies of the court
record we're filed with United states
attorney-General Griggs. Griggs re-
fused to take action.
Subsequently, in certain legai pr"
eeedings growing out OF these out
RACES Moves. Mckenzie. and others
we're found guilty by the San Fran
cisco court Of appeals, and sentenced
70 imnrisonment. Mckenzie served
only part of his sentence WINE !"
iail he was, and for long after re-
manned a member of the Kep"on-
can Nati-nal Committee, and power
full politician whose influence 70
Washington did net abate because OF
Tho little oontretemps IL his po'u-
cal affairs.
whl,ewash has always been cheap
senator McCamber OF North DAKOTA
said &c had kncwa Mckenzie lot
,wcntv wears. 4 know Nm he SAL y
TO 10 a noble-hearted. generous. IN
pulsive. sympathetic individual Sen
IT, ttansbrough Of the same state IN