Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-11-26
ALASKA.
PECULIAR SITUATION OF AFFAIRS IN TIA


| PECULIAR SITUATION OF AFFAIRS IN THAT
| TERRITORY.
WASHINGTON, November 25.-Tbe situa.
| ton of affairs in A ASIA is peculiar. There
is no territorial form OF government. and
late reports indicate an almost complete
absence OF police or judicial authority
There Is collector of customs there, Morris
and revenue cutter. The revenue collector
is said to have absorbed all the functions OF
government to himself, and to have conduct
ed himself in a manner which demands i'm
mediate investigation. The revenue author
tiles have made reports against him of an
extraordinary character. The subject is
now under consideration by the. authorities.
Meanwhile Congress is to be asked this win
ter TO do number of things for Alaska.
There are bills pending 10 establish courts
in that Territory, if it is properly to be con-
sidered a Territory. There is a bill pro-
viding for its admission as Territory with
territorial form OF government. Rsther
fanciful statements as to the population have
been submitted in order 10 strengthen this
plan. The President in his annual message
gress should provide some form of gov
ernnent-for- Territory; but nothing
was done. Meanwhile persons who know
most about the situation of affairs there have
presented resolutions to authorize the Presi-
dent 10 declare martial law. The Senate
Committee on Territories, as well as the
Treasury Department, is considering the
condition OF Alaska, and the Secretary of
The Navy has been instructed 10 report
whatever information he may have ia his
department from naval officers, relating to
the subject. One of the urgent needs OF the
government In the Territory is SAID to be the
construction OF a revenue-cutter suitable TO
those waters, and the San Francisco Cham
Der OF Commerce has peiiticned Congress to
that end. The Coast Survey seems to be the
only branch of the public service which has
performed its duty with regard to Alaska, as
1T has presented to the department, and
caused TO be sent TO Congress, papers giving
the most minute details as TO the coast sur
vey. The scheme of one NJ. d. Ball 10
represent the Territory, without an election,
as u delegate, and Incidentally to draw the
mileage fof congressman from Alaska to
Washington, by the way OF Cape Horn,
amounting to some $4,000, was, fortunately
Tor the United States treasury, defeated by
the Committee on Elections. Persons 10
ierested in religious and moral subjects
have petitioned Congress 10 provide
schools for the Territory, and the
com missioner of education in a letter has
urged Congress 10 make an appropriation
for that purpose. These recommendations |
are supported by petitions, not ONLY from |
The citizens OF Alaska, but from citizens of |
Iowa, kentucky, Massachusetts,, New Hamp- |
shire, OHIO, Pennsylvania and some of the |
boards OF missions. II the natives of that |
country belonged to the soil and became SUBJ
ecls OF the United S ates-for they are hardly |
'ltizens-it would seem that the government |
should do something to remove the dense |
ignorance which the report of the Rev DR..
acsson, the missionary, shows to exist there;
md, OF course, hand in hand with ignorance
,oes crime. The Interior Department has
made some preparations for a more accurate
geological survey of the Territory, and those
Who know something of the resources OF that
eglon are of opinion that very valuable
oal and possibly other mineral deposits will
'e found th're. The Alaska Fur Company
8 already said to be advised OF this fact, and
o have made such arrangements as existing
aw will permit TO obtain as much of the
siusole mineral country as it can. The
hIef signal officer has prepared and sub
litled 10 Congress a very interesting report
pom the meteorolOgy, geography and natural
lstOry OF that remote region