The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-01

apathy of fatalists
THE people of Alaska are little known to
the greatness of Americans The story of their
life will sound to most readers as tale of far
Cathay. Less in number than the popula-
ton of dozen smart towns within a radius
of one hundred miles of our capital, mostly
savages, Christanized in small degree
through the efforts of a strange and foreign
church, of whose 5000 nominal members in
Alaska less than 400 are able to read or write
in any tongue, we hear little Of them
and care less. A meteorological is sta
toned at St. Michael's-a few naturalists
have persisted in their zeal to find out the
natural history of this strange land-a few
venturesome travellers have chased the sum-
mer daylight in this uncanny territory until
twilight and dawn blended into one-the gov
of this region, and another upon its birds.
Of its people much less is known, and this
mainly through the intelligent researches of
naturalists and government officials. Ivan
Petrof, special agent of the census, pub
lished a preliminary report upon the popula-
ton, industries and resources of Alaska.
This constitutes the fortieth executive docu
ment of the Forty-sixth Congress, and was
issued by the department in 1881.
1t was political and commercial rather
than humanitarian motive that prompted
the Alaskan purchase, and if Senator
Harrison can invoke the power of
the United States to the aid of the people of
Alaska, irrespective of their seal and otter
skins, he will do well. Charles Sumner
pointed out that in Alaska we have the key to
the Northern Pacific. Stewards states
manship closed the contract which
severed this land of volcanic
fire and eternal ice, where mules and horses
are unknown and even the Indiana hog can
never secure foothold. The Russian Fur
Company gave $4,000 annually for the pro
motion of religious and educational enter
prises.
The Russian Greek Church maintained
twenty-six preachers and deacons, besides
schools and seminary. Less than $4,000 is
now spent for these ends. Of course it is
difficult to establish the appurtenances of civ
ilization-political and social organization,
schools and churches-in a region that has less
than one possible citizen to l ZOO square miles
of area, but it is certainly competent for the
United States to promote the progress of ele-
mentary education, which alone can lead to in
dependence and successful citizenship. At
least we should do as well as the Russians did,
and it is to be hoped Senator Harrison may
prove the Macedonian missionary VINO is to
go over and help this people to the privileges
of American citizenship to which they are en-
titled.
As to commerce, Alaska is nothing aside
from its seals and offers. In 1870, 100000
seal lay rotting on the ground; the Russians
the annual killing is limited to 1OO,-
600 young males. The worlds
supply Of sea otter comes from the North Pa
cifc; its chase and capture maintains from
1900 to 5000 natives in comparative luxury.
It's skin is the most valuable of all peltries
the world over, and was the alluring guide
which led to the discovery and occupation of
Alaska by the Russians The aggregate catch
is from five to six thousand annually, worth
$50 to $50 in cash or trade to the lucky hunter,
and bringing from $50 to 800 each in the
London market. The land fur trade is insig-
nifcant compared with the marine-9,O 900
marten, 5000 fox 1000 bear, 1000 beaver
and 600 mink, with few reindeer skins
sum up this trade, and represent the living of
another 5000 people. As to fishes, the sup
ply of salmon is inexhaustible while the cod
fish are as abundant and as good as off New !