Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-11-27
PACIFIC COAST.


San Francisco, Nov. 25.-Respectinp
the announcement from Washington
of making Alaska q judicial district.
the ChFonicie tomorrow will say That
Is better than nothing. but it is not
what should be d NE tor Alaska There
Is no instance of as gross neglect of a
colony or territory of any civilized ma
ton III the world as ours of this vast
region. We bought it sixteen " ars ago
| for round sum. because it was then
thought to be worth to the United
States good deal more than We paid
for 1t. We have ever since thought SO
little of it as rot to give it govern
ment. or through delegate the right to
be heard III Congress. The reason that
has prevailed against the establishment
of regular Territorial form and sub
stance of government over this vast and
probably valuable country Is that it has
not sufficient population, other than In
dams. But II has no white population
simply because We have given
1t no government. So this rea-
son is no reason ut all. To 90 no
further than making 1t a judicial dis
trict would be a bid tor signal failure.
There should at least be Governor to
execute laws. II legislature to ma Ike them
ana officers to enforce them. If Alaska
has not enough civilized whites to fill
these offices, then let that country be
tackled on to Washington Territory, its
nearest American organized neighbOr,
With allowance of representation, and
| let the laws of Washington Territory
govern II and the officers of Washington
execute and enforce these laws. This
much done, population is sure to follow.
Then let the United States keep naval
vessel or two there, and establish few
ports, with regular officers and soldiers
| on the coast and on the Yukon river, to
| to protect the settlers IN the business of
developing he mines forests, fisheries
and whatever of agriculture or other re-
sources there may be. This city ought
to have had a valuable trade with Alaska
aside from that of the fur company.
years ago. and would bat for the gross
neglect of Congress-"
Australian Mall Contract Renew ed.
SAN Francisco, Noy. 25.-The mail
contract between the Pacific Mail
Steamship Company and New Zealand
and new South Wales colonies has been
renewed. The contract WAS continued
from the time of the expiration of the
| present agresment IN next November
to extend for period not 10 exceed
! two years. The steamship Company is
to receive subsidy not to exceed
10000 annually, of which the portion
la fall Oh the colonies shall not exceed
tls, $50, for carrying mail matter be-
tween San Francesca and the Australian
colonies. In the contract Is a proviso
that unless the contribution IN aid IF
the line is received from the United
states or some other source, the renewed
service shall only continue for twelve
months. Ii Is desired that the United
States Government shall contribute at
least one third of the extended contract
Every month from $500 to 30 900 let
tiers are shipped from the San Fran
cIscp postoihce, not including several
thousand more sent to the varions
/ south Sea islands, where many of our
business men have large mercantile in
terests. BY the present mail line letters
| go direct 10 Australia, and all the South
Sss islands. should this line be with
/ drawn all correspondence would have
To make circumference of the globe
/ Ii Is generally understood that postal
officials. both here and at Washington.
are IN favor Of granting some contri-
button or aid. SO that the present line
of commuaie alton may not be broken.