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SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 1905.
The present financial position of the
judiciary of the Third division seems to
be in a deplorable condition. At the
present time there is an outstanding
indebtedness of more than $10 000 and
the question is raised as to how and
when this amount is to be paid. Here
tofore the district judge had unrestrict
ed control of all license money collect
ed outside of incorporated towns, but
now the Nelson bill devotes ail of the
money so collected, to the establish
ment and maintenance of public schools
the care of insane persons, an d the con
struction of roads.
It appears, however, that the gener
al deficiency and emergency bills pro
vide for the federal courts of Alaska,
and money for their future incidental
expenses will hereafter be paid direct
from the federal treasury. This mode
of proceedure divests the district judge
of the direct handling of a large amount
of money each year, and brings the
the official expenses more to the atten
tion of the proper authorities at Wash
ington. There is no questioning the
fact that some restriction should be
placed on such illegal grafting of the
court’s funds as lias been systematic
ally carried on by federal cfiicials in
the Third division.
It is a well known fact that enough
money has been taken in that way from
the funds of this division to more than
pay this outstanding indebtedness.
The officials are now harping that they
have no money to work on; that Con
gress made no appropriation for this
division. They are bewailing the fact
that their heretofore unrestricted chan
nels of graft are closed up. What has
brought about such a change of affairs?
Have the federal officials of the Third
division been imposing upon the gov
eminent by unwise and illegitimate ex
penditures of money heretofore at their
disposal, and been caught at the trick?
Did they think they had things so ar
ranged that their corruption would not
be exposed? Every dollar of Uncle
Sam's money must be accounted for.
While the manipulation of vouchers
may be successfully worked for the
time being, ultimate detection of fraud
is sure to follow.
Whenever Congress fails to provide
funds for the actual running expenses
of a section of the government machin
ery there must be something defective
in that part of the works, either with
the machinery or the management. In
this instance, relative to the Third div
ision, the fault must rest with the
management, as the Senate has seen
fit to discharge the general superinten
dent of the division. Facts and figures
do not lie and no manner of squirming
will rectify the wrong. How often we
hear the remark: “the price cuts ho
figure, the government pays the bill. ’ ’
We are glad to hear that Commis
sioner Courtney of Circle has resigned
and gone outside. Sorry that this was
caused by urgent necessity for “medi
cal treatment." The latter reason, no
doubt, can be utilized satisfactorily to
explain his judicial act. It is too bad
to criticise a sick official who should be
in a sanitarium instead of on the bench.
Th6 difference between a fine of $264
and$l costs, and $1 fine and $264 costs,
is to “fine" for the editor. Miss Beau
mont, who was mulcted the $265 can
better appreciate the delicate distinct
ion. When she knows, that it was all
costs; that Uncle Sam only got a few
dollars out of that $265; that this “sick
man of the Yukon” and his marshal
have absorbed it all, she will feel diff
erently about it. We stated that “the
chance to make a few dollars in fees
overcame his judicial scruples." This
statement has been kindly clinched.
The friends of the- ex-commissioner are
unduly agitated; whether in a sanitar
ium, or taking a course of sprouts at
the hot springs, as a private citizen he
has our sympathy. In his official capa
city he must stand on his record.
There is certainly a screw loose in
the judicial machinery of the Third
division, and repairs must be made if
the district would progress.
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