Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-05-17
The Alaska Corner.

Everything in the United States seems
to be running to corners. The greatest of
these corners, geographically, and per-
hapS pecuniarily, is the corner on Alaska
which has been gotten up by the Alaska
Commercial Company. It's recent pur-
chase, referred to by our San Francisco
correspondent, of the Alaska Western Fur
Company, completes its monopoly of
territory which stretches as far to the
west of San Francisco as Maine is to the
east of it, and which is more than twice
as large as France.
The information given by our CORE
SpOndent with regard to the resources of
Alaska Will be surprising to most of our
readers. The climate of Sitka is better
than that of England. 1t is no warmer
in summer, and in winter is no colder
1t is warmed by the great Pacific ocean
stream from the Tropics, called the Japan
current. Cattle live on grass outdoors all
the year round. The furs of Alaska are
the least of its treasures. 1t has gold
mines; better yet, it has good coal depOs-
its, and petroleum, and copper. Its for
ests contain eXhaustless growths of cedar,
spruce, hemlock, and fir. The fisheries
are wonderful. Alaska is capable of fur
nishing the salmon supply of the world.
Its cod banks are greater than those of
Newfoundland.
of the enterprlsing Yankee the white
population of Alaska is shown by the
census of 1880 to be but 430. Why is this /?
The explanation is very simple one.
Alaska is cOrnered. Our San Francisco
correspondent cannot see it. His opinion
of the Alaska Commercial Company is a
very rOSeate one. He is too near. Sixteen
years have elapsed since the Territory
came into the possession of this country,
M
which Russia had given it has of course
been Withdrawn, and none has been set
up in its place. Every other part of the
United States has some kind of govern
ment. Alaska has none. This is not be-
cause it is worthless. Quite the con-
trary. 1t is because it is worth so much.
1t is too good a thing for the corporation
that has cOrnered it to divide with the
crowd, even if it does belong to the crowd.
Many attempts have been made to pro-
cure a territorial government from Con-
gress for this vast region. All the prece-
dents are in favor of such action. But
there has always been an influence that
could defeatit. High officers of the army
have asked permission to be allowed to
explore Alaska. 1t has always been re-
fused. The country has relapsed under
the civilizing influence of American
monopoly into a state of civil and legal
ShdOos AhC wa w SCb DiOpClIN Ill AldS-
ka is to go and take it. The way to MAIN
tain title is to fight for it, if anybody
wants to take it away. No matter what
crimes a man may commit in Alaska, he
is not criminal, for want of a court to
try him.
If any explanation of the mysterious in
fiuence that has always availed at Wash
ingtOn to prevent the creation of a terrific
rial government, and even the military
survey of the country, is sought we can
not give it. The Alaska Commercial
Company for many years has always had
one of it's principal stockholders residing
in Washington. But this resident part
ner has devoted himself with unwearied
assiduity not to business, but to pleasure
seeking. His principal occupation is
giving dinners to Congressman and men,
berS of the Cabinet, and obviously dinners
in Washington are not a necessary bar to
government in Alaska.
We have told the public more about it
by good deal than they have been able
to learn in sixteen years from the govern
ment. But the most important thing
about it we have not been able to ferret
out. That is, why is not this smiling
region opened to the public? This Alaska
business is the greatest and worst of the
public land swindles.