The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1870-08-18
ALASKA.
nW "
IGNORANCE OF ITS RESOURCES.

From a constant perusal of various San
Francisco papers, am induced to believe
that but little is known or communicated
ahout things in general from this far dis
tant portion of our national domain.
Among the many journals published in
your city, we vainly look for anything
having tendency to recognize our com
merclal Importance. 1t is to California
we look for that fostering care and mon
eyed enterprise which will eventually de
velop the immense resources of this terri
tory. Unaided we can accomplish but
little; our inexhaustible fisheries, coal
beds and timber lands will disgorge their
untold wealth; iron and copper are al
most fabulous in their richness. OF the
former, Professor Davidson, of the United
States Coast survey, while observing the
total eclipse of The sun last year on the
Chilkat River, discovered two or three
hills in his immediate vicinity to be al
most wholly composed of it. Copper is
in general use among the coast Indians
for domestic and other purposes. Gold
has been discovered on the Stickeen and
Tacoo rivers; but one week ago party
lGIG mere 1OI bIO t0pVOA RASSS1 s'N~ OS-~~>o
are preparing to follow.
LIVELY sEAsoN-THE SEAL FISHERIES
At present. business is rather lively
A large number of soldiers have been and
are to be discharged from service; and,
as a consequence, dry goods, such as cloth
ing, etc, have had an increased demand.
The large disbursement of greenbacks
few weeks ago by the army paymaster on
this account, has revived the dropping
spirits of our merchants The number
engaged in mercantile pursuits here
would seem greater than the demand,
judging from the white population. Sew
en- well stocked dry goods stores are DO
ing fair amount of business, yet the
Americans and Russians contribute but
little to their support. 1t is to the 1ndi-
an the merchant owes his success. Lo
with his canoe full of peltry arrives
these he exchanges with our merchants
for their commodities, driving rs hard a
bargain as do his more astute brothers of
Yankeedom. The fur trade of this Ter
ritory, if properly managed, will always
be source of. wealth to Its people and
revenue to the Government. Let all have
the privilege of trade with the Aleutian
Islands; limit the number, and levy tax
if necessary, upon each seal killed yearly
at Sts. George and Paul's Islands; place
these islands in charge of faithful Off
Ger, and instead of the few monopolists
who now control that business, larg
and lucrative employment would be given
to thousands; the Territory would be
benefited by the ramifcatlons of trade
unexplored regions would be opened up;
immigration would follow, and a large
portion of this much abused land would
become the home of agricultural thous-
ands. In this connection il might not be
amiss to disabuse your readers mind of
his or her accepted opinion of the
SOIL AND CLIMATE OF ALASKA.
In her melting mood" we may fairly
challenge the continent to show the equal
of Sitka for rainy or lnclement weather
but that she is fair exponent of the
whole Territory wedo not admit. Cooks
Inlet and Kodiak possess climate SINH
lar to Oregon or Washington Territory. |
Cereals can be raised. there in abundance, |
while the native grasses furnish nutrl. |
tious and palpable food for cattle. Their
winters are colder than ours, while their
fall and summer months are dry and
warm. But little is known Of the interi-
or. Reports froms the Yakin country
show large tract of land susceptible of
cultivation, but the uninvitlng humidity
of the soil will have but little attraction
for the farmer at present.
CIVIL LAW WANTED. ~%
By last steamer we learned that bill
was before Congress to make Alaska a
country seat of Washington Territory.
This will, of course, put a quietus on the
efforts of our Territorial governmentagi
tators. However, this concession on the
part of our rulers is welcome. Anything
is better than the arbitrary rule of mill
tary authority. No appeal, no redress, a
quiet submission to it's mandates has been
the unavoidable lot of cur citizens for the
past two tears and a half. God help the
unhappy people who have lived as we
have lived; they VIII gladly welcome
the sight of civil tribunal. Should
this bill pass, the first term of court held
here under It's provisions will have ease
of murder or manslaughter to dispose OF,
viz the killing of Lieutenant Cowan, of
the United State revenue cutter Reliance,
on the oath of February last. AS your
readers are aware of the facts, will not
repeat them. Z So
LADY FRANKLIN. -
This lady arrived here per steamer
Neao6ern, on the 18th ult. During her so
iourn she was the recipient of that kind
ness and courtesy and ministration to her
wants which her age and melancholy his
tory entitle her. She visited every place