Digital Bob Archive

AUGUST 1, 1884-Alaska is now a ?civil and judicial district? of the United States, the legislation having passed the House May 13 almost without discussion and without change from the Senate bill. It was signed into law by President Arthur on May 17. We are to have a governor, a U. S. District Court with a judge, district attorney, marshal and clerk, the latter also serving as ex-officio secretary and treasurer of the district. There will also be four U. S. Commissioners, one of who is to be at Juneau, with the others at Sitka, Wrangell and Unalaska. Juneau will also have one of four deputy marshals. All of these officers are to be appointed by the President.

Under the Organic Act, as this law is known, the temporary seat of government is to be at Sitka and the general laws of the State of Oregon are made the laws of the District of Alaska. Alaska is also created a land district, with the Commissioner at Sitka to act as register of that office. Owners of mining claims are to be allowed to perfect title to them, and this provision has been hailed as a great step forward by claim owners of the Harris Mining District.

Some of the officers have already been appointed by President Arthur, according to word received here on the mail steamer Ancon this past week. The governor of the district will be John H. Kinkead of Nevada, and several of our residents are acquainted with him. One of these is John McKinnon, who has lived here since December, 1880. He came to Alaska with the Army in 1867, being a member of Company E, 4th Artillery, and was a member of the color guard that raised the first American flag at Sitka. Kinkead arrived at Sitka about the same time and operated a store near the Army post. He was also Sitka?s first postmaster. Kinkead left Sitka in 1871 and a few years later became Governor of Nevada, serving in that office until last year. He is said to be a close friend of Senator Jones of Nevada who holds an interest in the Treadwell mine. The judge and marshal will be Ward McAllister, Jr., and M. C. Hillyer, respectively, both from California. Nothing is known here about these men, but it is hoped that Judge McAllister, being from a mining state, is well versed in mining law.

Two things that law did not bring for Alaska are a legislature and a delegate in Congress. The former had not been expected, but it had been hoped many that we would have a voice, if not vote, in the Congress of the United States.