The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-06-28

and saw mill which have been in successful op-
Grafton for several years, yielding profitable re-
turns.
The Indians of the Alexander archipelago and
the adjoining mainland bear all the marks OF
Asiatie origin. When first visited by white trad
ers they were treaeherous and piratical, attack
Ing the trading vessels, and, when successful
ruthlessly numbering the crews. Many of their
eutrages were summary and vigorously avenged
by British gunboats stationed the coast OF
British Columbia TO keep the Indians quiet and
as the thirty mile strip of Alaska mainland was
leased by the Russian Company to the Hudson
Bay Company the fear of king Georges gun
boats had a salutary influence upon the Indians
OF Nrangel and Takon. These Indians are in
tenSely covetouS. Plumber was undoubtedly the
incentive which impelled their mUrderous at
tacks upon the trading vessels that visited the
coast IN the early years of this century.
The settlement of Fort Wrangel and the dis
eovery of gold at Cassiac quickly changed the
lations of the Indians TO the whites by crafty
ing to large extent the Indians ruling pas
sion, avariee. A brisk trade was opened up the
Shckeen, by which the Indian owners OF canoes
profted largely until the advent of river steam
boats cut down the rates of transportation. The
leading stores at Wrangel increased in number,
and the Indians benefited by the competition
for their trade; they soon learned that the pres
ence of white men was an advantage TO the In
dian, and the two races are now in perfect
amity. The Alaska Indians will yield willing
obedience to laws fairly and Justly administered.
ne A1aSka act PROVIDES Tor the appointment
OF Governor, who is to reside at Sitka. He is
to perform generally such acts as appertain to
the office of Governor of Territory, 50 far as
the same may be applicable thereto He shall
be, ex offcio, commander-in-chief of the militia.
dc Is, from time to time, TO inquire into the
operations Of the Alaska Seal and Fur Company
and shall annually report to Congress the results
of such inquiries, and any and all violations of
the agreement of said company with the United
States. As the seal islands are some 900 miles
over sea from Sltka, and as there is no communi-
cation between the two places, except via San
Francisco the Governor will find this instruc-
ton rather rksome. lnasmuch as the United
States government keeps two Treasury agents
on the seal islands, the presence of the
Governor there would seem to be unnecessary.
Failing to visit the islands personally and re
main there during the ealkilling season, he
must rely upon the reports of the Treasury
agents upon information derived from the
Alaska Company The Governor will be rather
an ornamental 6gurehead than a useful addition
to the government. The Office is a sinecu1e
which might better be held by the collector of
customs as eX officio Governor.
The really valuable provisions for the new
government are the establishment of a Dis
tr1ct Court with civil and criminal Jurisdiction
to be presided over by district judge, the
other officials being clerk of the court who
shall be secretary and treasurer of the dis
trict. district attorney and marshal. The
minor courts, four in number are to be pre-
sided over by commissioners, who are to be
stationed one at Sitka, one at Wrangel at
Oonalaska and one at Harrisburg The estab
Eshment of these courts cannot fail to produce
an immediate beneficial effect upon all classes
white and Indian, honest and dishonest 1t will
encourage investment in industrial enterprise in
mining, fishing and lumber; it will help TO give
work and good wages-the best of all civilizers
to the Indians; it will suppress the stealing of
mining claims, dishonest trading. etc. The re-
sources of the district will be developed moro
rapidly than heretofore and general improve
ment in the condition and habits of the resi-
dents will quickly follow
Even with the prospect of increased activity
and prosperity in Alaska, consequent upon the
establishment of law and order l cannot advise
any impecunious person who is unaccustomed to
severe manual labor to emigrate to the Terri
tory, except under positive engagement with
responsible parties. At the best residence
there is exile from the refinements comforts
and enioyments of civilized life, in an unpleas-
ant climate and surrounded by nearly i1npene-
trahle forests. The only compensation that can
be looked for is the improvement of ones
finances to an extent that may enable him to
return to civilized life with little more money
than he possessed when he left it for the wilds
of our northern Territory.
The laws of Oregon are to be law in Alaska
so far as they may be applicable and not in con-
fiict with the laws of the United States. The
Territory is not to send delegate to Congress
The Governor is to receive So 600 p year the
judge SO. 000 the clerk of the court the district
attorney and marshal 80 800 each, four commits
sioners 81, 900 each, and four deputy marshals
$3.50 each. The total annual expenses of the
government need not eXeeed $50, 600, or less than
half the cost of keeping ship of war like the
Adams on the station.
The lease of the seal islands pays upwards of
$300000 into the Treasury. and lumber and
land and mining privileges may now he made
to contribute few Thousand dollars toward the
maintenance of the new government.