, 1879-02-13
SECRETARY sHERMAN's VIEWS ON THE
REPORT AND THE SITUATION.


WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.--rhe report on
Alaska, Just made by Major william
Gouverneur Morris, special agent of the
treasury department, was received in the
senate from the secretary OF the treasury
to-day, and ordered to be printed. 1t is II
lengthy document. comprising at least Il
thousand pages OF manuscript aud is cop
lousy illustrated with maps and sketches
OF the country. The report is very COM
prehensve, and presents great number
OF details regarding the resources OF the
territory, tending to show that it is very
far from II worthless country. Major
Morris reports that there is ample evil
dcnce OF the existence OF rich mines of
gold. silver and copper in Alaska, al
though their precise location is not given.
le furnishes an extended description of
NaluaGle fisheries aud timber resources Of
tnc territory. Considerable space is de-
voted TO the subject OF the disputed boun-
dary line between Alaska and British Col
unbil, and after reporting a mass OF i'll
formation Oh The subject the suggestion
Is made that congress should take HeceS-
sary steps 10 settle the dispute with Great
Britain by means of joint commission.
The present chaotic condition of affairs
in Alaska is fully set forth, and the estab-
lishment oi some sort Of civil government
Tor the territory is earnestly advocated.
Figures are presented 10 show thar the
L. S. government now receives annually
from the Alaska Commercial Company an
amount equal to more than four per cent.
upon the original cost Of the territory,
which was $7,200,000. The conduct Of
affairs by this company is in general terms
commended, and in the absence of specific
proof 1t is acquitted of any organized at
tempt to retard the settlement and devel-
Opment of the territory. The cost OF
maintaining customs service in Alaska
since 1t was first established is shown to
have bean only fifty per cent. more than
the receipts, and as the customs district
was created for purposes of general pro-
lection, and not of local IevenHe, the pro-
position for its diScontinuanre is pro-
hnnced unwise. Major Morris urges the
construction OF a new vessel Tor the revc-
nnc marine service OH the Pacific coast,
there being at present not one which l.
adapted for extended cruises In Alaskan
waters. Many interesting facts are given
concerning the Indian tribes OF the coast
and interior. As regards the former. an
opinion is expressed that they should be
Kept under control not by the military.
but by the means OF big gunbodts. OF
which they stand IN great dread. La con
cll'slon. Morris warmly eulOgizes efforts
OF the Board of Presbyterian Home Mis-
sons to Introduce schools and teachers in
tfe territory. and congress is urged to aid
III this hudable and Christian enterprise G.
Secretary Sherinan's Opinion.
Secretary Sherman. in his letter 10 the
senate copy of Maj. Morris report on
Alaska. remarks that portions of iL indi-
cate the necessity for the adoption OF some
legislation tor the better protection of the
inhabitants Of the territory and preserva-
uon of law and order as well as the ne
cesslty for some system OF land records by
which titles Of real estate in Alaska may
Ne perfected. Mai. Morris throughout bi+
report assumes the position Of a champion
" Alaska and asserts that many import
sIt facts concerning that country have
Deh hitherto unknown, or il known have
oeeG utterly misrcpreserted to the general
public. He takes direct issue with Special
Agent Henry w. Elliot, and charges that
Elliott Inisrepresented large portion OF
Alaska which he. Elliott, had never visited
ahd Of which he was profoundly ig orant.
There Is likely to be large dcma I'd for
WIS report when published.