Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-02-15
Alaska.

The vexed question as to the posi-
tive value or worthlessness of Alaska,
has been most favorably settled by
the late report of Major William G.
Morris. From that document We
learn that our extreme Northwestern
frontier is no longer the white eleph-
ant that many supposed it to be.
The report has been received by the
Senate and ordered to be printed.
1t is a lengthy and elaborate article,
comprising near thousand pages of
manuscript, interspersed with maps,
charts, and interesting sketches of
the Territory. It is safe to say that
the Department has never received
a more valuable report concerning
the physical characteristics of any
State or Territory, and it is antici-
pated that there will he q large de-
mand for it as soon as published.
The work deals especially with the
resources of the country, under sew
eral important heads, viz: Agricul-
ture, Mineral Wealth, the Coast
Fisheries and Fur Product. It is
the opinion of special agent Morris,
that Alaska possesses rich mines of
gold, silver and copper.
A good deal of space is devoted to
the disputed boundary question, be-
tween the British Government and
the United States. There is much
room for dissatisfaction and doubt
less serious misunderstanding in the
future. Mr.. Morris, therefore, earn
estly urges Congress to proceed with
the fixing of the boundary at once,
since no form of civil government
can be safely inaugurated until this
important step is taken, and an ami
cable understanding is had between
the two countries. The price paid
for Alaska, was $1,000, 900, and it is
shown in the report that our Govern
ment is annually receiving from the
Alaska Commercial Company, a sum
fully equal to four per cent. of the
original cost of the territory. The
general conduct of affairs by this
company, is represented to be, in the
main, honorable and quite advanta-
geous to the best interests of the
country. The cost of maintaining
custom service in Alaska, is found to
be only about fifty per cent. more
than the receipts, and it is urged, by
sound argument, that such service
should be still continued. Major
Morris recommends the building of
new vessel for the Revenue Ma
rine Service of the Northwest Paci-
fic Coast, since, at present, there are
none especially adapted to cruising
in the waters adjacent to Alaska.
The Indian question is treated of in
an exhaustive manner. and the opin-
ion is expressed that they should not
be placed under the control of the
military, but rather, that they be
held in check by a sufficient number
of gun-boats, of which they stand in
great fear.
In concluding his report, the Ma
jor pays high compliment to the
ladies of the Board of Presbyterian
Home Mission, and recommends that
Congress should render all possible
aid to this Christian and truly lauda-
BILE enterprise. Secretary Sherman.
in transmitting copy of the report
to the Senate, joins Major Morris in
representing to Congress, the urgent
necessity of establishing at once,
some form of legislation for the pro-
lection of the settlers, and as a
means of enabling them to safely af-
fix titles to their lands.
A good deal of surprise has been
created in political circles, by the
fact that Major Morris takes direct
issue with special agent Henry w.
Elliott, in many important considera-
tons regarding the situation Of
Alaska. 1t is alleged that Mr.. Elliott
never SO much as visited many noted
points which he assumes to have de-
scribed, while many other places
have been utterly misrepresent by
that gentleman.
The report of Mr.. Morris has al
ready awakened a new interest re-
garding the Presbyterian Board of
Missions. and clerpymen have poca