, 1881-09-02
uuina guRTH.

ris, the new Collector Of Customs for
the District of Alaska, who pro-
ceeds direct to Sitka, accompanied
by his Special Deputy, Edward H.
Brown, Esq, who for SO many years
has gracefully and acceptably filed
clerkship in our Custom House.
For the past seven years, Major
| Morris has at intervals visited this
district as Special Agent of the L.
S. Treasury, and, for the last two,
has he made this place his head quar-
ters. During this period he has
| been to Alaska several times, and
reported upon that interesting and
unknown land. In 1874 he con-
ceived the idea of opening up and
developing the territory and its i'm
mense resources.
In 1873 he was ordered there by
Secretary Sherman, and directed to
make Il report upon the country. So
successfully was this accomplished
that he was ordered by the Secreta-
ry to Washington to supervise
the publication of his work, of which
Congress ordered published some
seven thousand copies. This valua.
BILE and interesting book is now con-
sidered as standard authority; it is
profusely illustrated, and presented
at the time it was published a true
condition OF affairs. So great has
been the demand for it that long
since the edition was exhausted, and
not copy can now be had for love
or money.
We learn, however, that the Major
has nowin hand a second volume
much larger and more comprehen-
sive than the first, which will en-
brace the history of the country
from the period where he left off up
to the present time. He will con-
clude it during the winter, and have
it ready when Congress meets. 1t
will be replete with information, and
contain maps, and all the recent sur
veys, etc. Decided ground will be
taken in favor of the establishm >nt
by Congress of a suitable form of
government. All the bills hereto
fore introduced to that end will be
considered, and their merits and de.
merits discussed. The whole field
will be completely gone over, and
all the pros and cons reviewed.
We build great faith in the man
ner in which Major Morris will han.
die the subject. So little is known
about Alaska BY Congress at large,
that work of this kind will possess
intensely valuable information. For
three sessions of Congress has he
been in Washington devoting his
attention to the wants and veal of
this Territory. At first was he Civ
Ell the cold shoulder, but by persist
ent efforts, aided by such men as
Dali, Beardslee, General John Ea-
ton, Commissioner of education, the
Rev. Sheldon Jackson, and the Pres
byterian Board of Home Missions,
very different order of things now
prevails, aud the greatest interest is
taken in Alaskan matters, and every
where comes up the word of The
shocking manner III which she has
hitherto been neglected.
The administration has commend
ably acknowledged the important
services rendered Alaska, by select
ing Major Morris as Collector of the
district. The appointment is one
which has been fairly aud justly
earned, and cannot fail to be exceed.
ingly popular with the people, for
whom he has ardently and faithfully
labored. He is well known to the
old settlers, and to the new ones he
will soon introduce himself, as one
of the first things with which he is
charged is a thorough inspection of
his district, thing which has never
before been done by any Collector
since the customs district was organ
lied.
The people of Alaska have our
sincere sympathy in their efforts to
secure to themselves, under our con
stitution, life liberty and the pur.
suit of happiness; and if we posi-.
bly, can, we propose to visit them in
the Spring and personally ascertain
their wants. Whatever influence
this paper may have shall be direct
ed without reward in.their behalf.
In a recent article published in the
"Oregonian," too long for us to re.