Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-08-08
oVR NoarawEsT P0sssssuoNs.

Our Alaskan possessions, which CON-
stitute about one fifth of the whole ter
Yitory of the United States are inhabited
by 33, ,426 people, Of whom only 40 are
white. Il will probably surprise a good
man, to learn that in that region, under
the dominion Of the Repsral govern
msut, there are 9763 Thlinket and 78S
Hyda Yet the names of some Of the
Alaskau Indian tribes are not more un-
known than are the material resources
and conditions Of one iifth Of the ma
tional area to the people and the legis-
lators Of the country.
It was the theory of Mr.. Seward.
through whose influence the purchase
Of Alaska was made, that the contests
Of the future are to be around the shores
Of the Pasific SEAS; that the nation Of
the future is the nation that holds the
key to these western waters; that the
purchase Of Alaska would give our Re-
public foothold on both sides Of that
ssa. II Ia a geographical imp0ssibility
that any other nation can OCCUPY po-
sition in its own territory upon both
sides of the racifc. For this the United
States paid 100000. The purchase
has not proved to be bad investment.
To the 30th Of last June the United
States had received in revenues from
that country 81. COS, ,l7O, mainly from the
Alaska Fur Seal Company. The con-
tract with that company continues for
some years. Il Is easy 20 soe that the
United States will soon have an eQuiva-
lent for its purchase mouey.
Aside from this faot the Government
knows little about its new possession.
Il has neither made surveys Of the un-
known land nor provided q government
for any portion Of the Territory. The
little strip Of land which stretches from
the Vancouver Islands, thirty miles in
width, to Mt. st. Elias, bounded ON the
ans side by British Columbia and ON
the other by the ocean, With the two
islands from which ths Alaska Fur Seal
Company takea it, Deala, Aro the only
portions Of this vast domain Of which
the United States has any practical
knowledge.
The Government, after having made
its purchase, did not look at its bargain.
The Territory ia practically undefended
and abandoned. The income which
the Government receives 10 sufficient TO
pay large percentage ON tho original
purchase. Yet there IL no organized
government and there il no protection
By the courts. The provision Of the
s0venue iaws, that suita may be brought
in the United States courts in California
and Washington Territory, il grossly
inadequate. Recent decisions have cast
doubt upon the authority even Of these
courts 70 take jurisdiction Of certain
oasss in that remote quarter. The deal
iuQs of the Government in this Territory
are without precedent. Alaska u not
even Territory. although called % for
convenience OF nomenclature. Con-
Qress refused to organize Alaska into .
Territory. At most, this vast domain II
. Treasury collection district. Two
departments Of the Government, the
Treasury and the Navy, have some con-
diet Of Jurisdiction a. TO their respective
authority. The Treasury has revenue
outer there, and the Navy department
has stationed there what 10 called war
voossl. Yet neither department II
anxious TO assume responsibility for the
conduct Of affairs. Both, In fact, wish
10 Be relieved OF the burden. Yet no
enc makes any question that the people
Of this region are as much entitled 70
protection a. the citizens of any part ol
ths United States. This 10 mot oaly Z
duty which the Government owes alike
10 al its citizens. but Is u one Of the
stipulations Of the treaty Of Ceasion
The treaty provides that the people
sahall be projected In the enjoyment oi
their liberty, property and religion
National honor and good faith are in
volved in this. The best Information Il
that the resources Of Alaska are Of more
importance than the country Was at drs'
led 70 believe.