New-York tribune., 1880-04-04
A GOOD WORD FOR ALASKA.
LETTER FROM MIR. BALI, THE COLLECTOR OF Gus
TOMS FOR ALASKA.

letter FROM MIR. BALI, THE COLLECTOR OF Gus
TOMS FOR ALASKA.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: In THE TRIBUNE of March . there is
short editorial the subject Of Alaska, for the organ
zation of civil law which Territory bill s now be-
,ore ,he Senate an in Washington at this time by
of petition the people Of that Territory to the
President requesting that should be sent forto repre-
sent their condition. AS their Quasrepresentative
thouk Won for the decided opinion you express that
they should have some form OF government. say
thank you because such is the Misrepresentation OF ar
firs I'm Anska by persons who seem TO be opposed 10
any law for It's people, that they are few who aver even
mot mnch You are right and Just when you say
that the people who were socmhy pronhseu pro
lection In lives, property and religion ana All tue
nrviIeaes Of citizenship" BY treaty should have ~
and mat the withholding of it is derogatory to our dig
nifty as Nation This would DC true' were 'nete pu'
single Russian born resident there
ut you are under misconcepton OF fat as 10 one or
two matters which, II you will allow me 10 correct IL
will appear that the thing you indorse, as mattcr vi
,,sc ia by no means to be treated as an expensive
and onerous duty merely. You hint tna' no
nation would accept aska rs Rt, o"'
LOT me ossure you that the Government snouid uesire
TO sell It az such sale private parties wero Ieasip
,hev could easily get $2OOO000O for it III the Cy Oh
San Francisco You put the white popuaeioh .. @oo'
lam sure 1t is very nearly II not qu'c' WV
cessions every month You think tnere ID no hee" VI
n, ,sast 90 men eagerly desiring bis services You put
,no revenue derived from the Territory NJ only
al oo 600 per anuuin while it is $3l750O-and this with
o,nuc derived from traders licenses lof whom there
oro least eighty in the Territory or from taxes OF
" Lird wbateyer 1t Is my opinion that the fu Terri:
ng gI Gavernment would cost very little more than u
, cnre 10 steps were taken 10 coect these rev.
wouu ,nnIies ,UniT for which this bill provides.
en,S pftrla rh0 ure so unfortunate as 10 i've In
p,,s not esteem themselves unfortunate II they
Aiaskn ,nr whnt tho Government guaranteed them by
nho s,p 1act-the immuntes aud privileges OF other
sni.,p uInns Tnoge who are now making II their
ei,,ae"'' eeine i'm spite OF the want OF these i'm
no,,nni,Ias must have strong opinion or tne
nmnxantnees 1t offers. IL is great mistake
Nv Nv II has no attractions. Tne climate, along a
Tho Southern aud Southeastern Coast ls not only re-
marRably healthy, but, except for the raiav th
season pleasant. The fur trale II s,Ved from M ane
smuggers OF British Columbia, who readily cut OUT OUT
traders by furnishing the Indians the more covessa
articles Of barter. whiskey and arms, wili oe swgs
valuable The fisheries are sure source OF conrs sn
profit There is no such bered country on .he c,a S1n
are mstakcu the mineral wealth OF the Territory 10
What have here stated as facts. am Wiling ,asc t
NV oliciai position the very truth Mnat ss
as convtctions founded facts wltnin ps ,vSs
Lnoeige and xperience sum ent 70 san.y
n,ent IN any man. am sure you deslre LIN a yscrs
should be done tile Alaskans ana KNOWING no ator
g,re vou trIt Will believe mat tne VII v o,n,it
fntsr which carefully considered Dy t1n
re- ard ms rscn 20 suppgrt = - az "
Il the best Arrangement possb'c 70 sesufs sh0