Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-07-25
,,,vo un,rn ,,nn.,,ed ,bdr murderou.

ccntIve which impelled their nurderous
attacks upon the trading vessels that
visited the coast In the early years OF TINS
century.
The settlement Of Fort wrangcl and the
discovery OF gold at Csssiac quickly
changed the relations Of the Indians 10 the
whites by gratifying 10 large extent inc
Indians ruling passion--ayarice. A Drisk
trade was opened up the Stickeen, by wnien
the Indian owners Of canoes prohted largely
until The advent Of river steamboats, cut
down the rates OF transportation. the
trading stores at Wrangel increased 10
number, and the Indians benefited by The
competition for their trade. They soon
learned that The presence Of white men
was an advantage 10 the Indian, ana the
two races are now IN perfect amity. The
Alaska Indians will yield willing obedience
to laws fairly and justly administered.
The Alaska act provides for the appoint-
meut OF Governor, who Is TO reside nj
Sitka, Hcis 10 perform generally such acts
ne appertain 10 the Office OF Governor OF
Territory, 80 far a. the same may be sppli-
cable thereto. He shall be e1.Qgicfo CON-
psnder-in-chlei 81 the militia. lie IL from
time 10 time 10 inquire into the operations
Of the Alaska Seal aud Fur Company, and
shall annually report TO Congress the re-
suits Of such inquiries and any and all vio-
lations OF the agreement Of said company
with the United States. As the seal
Islands are some thirteen hundred miles
over sea from Sitka. and as there Is no COM
munic alton between the two places except
ria san Francisco. the Governor will lind
this instruction rather irksome. inasmuch
as the Unitcs States Government keeps two
treasury agents on the seal islands, the pre-
sence Of the Governor there would seem TO
be unnecessary. Failing 10 visit the islands
personally aud remain there during the
seal-kiling season, he must rely upon the
reports Of the treasury agents or upon the
information derived from The Alaska Com
pany. The Governor will be rather an or
nsmental fgurchcad than useful addition
10 the Government. The Office Is sine
cure, which might better he held by the COL
lcctor az customs as eX-ofiicio Governor.
The really valuable provisions for the
new government are the establishment OF q
district court with civil and criminal jul
risdiction. 10 be presided over by district
Judge, TIE other officials being a clerk OF
the court. who shall be secretary and trea-
surer OF the district: district attorney,
and a marshal. The minor courts, four in
nur,ber. are TO be presided over 10y COM
missioncTs, who are 70 be stationed, one st
Siika, one al Wrangel, one at ODaIaska, and
one AZ Harrisburg. The establishment OF
these courts cannot fail to produce
an immediate beneficial effect upon all
classes, white and Indian, honest and dis
honest. II will encourage investment in
industrial enterprise. II miulDg, fishing.
ana lumber. twill help to give work and
good wagos-the best Of all civilzers-to
The Indians. II will suppress the stealing
Of mining claims, dishonest trading, etc.
The resources OF the district will he de.
ycIoucd more rapidly than heretofore. aud
a general Improvement in the condition
and habits OF the residents will quickly
follow.
Even with the prospect OF increased &C.
tyity and prosperi'yi in Alaska, consequent
upon the establishment Of law and order,
cannot advi>cany impecuniOus person who
is unacCuStOmcd 10 severe manual labor TO
emigrate to the Territory, except under a
positive engagement with responsible par
Tics. At the best, residence there is exile
from the roGncmcnts, comforts, and enjov-
mCntS Of civilized life, in on unpleasant
climate. and surrounded by nearly impene-
trable forests. The only compensation that
can be looked for is the improvement OF
ones finances to an extent that may enable
him 10 return to civilized life with little
more money than bcpCSScssCd when he left
Tor The wids Of oar northern Territory.
The laws Of oregon are TO be law in
Alaska. - far Rs they may be applicable
and not in conflict with The laws O; the
United states. The Tcrritoryis not to SEND
delegate TO Congress. The Governor l.
to receive $1,000 year, The judge $4,000,
The clerk OF the court. the distric; attorney,
dmarshal $500 each, the commissioners
g 000 each. AID four deputy mar,hals 500
each. The total annual expenses OF the
Government need no, exceed 100000, or
less than half the cost Of keeping Il ship OF
war like the Adams on the station.
The lease Of the Seal Islands pays up
wards Of S3OO,OG0 into the treasury, and
lumber and land and mining privileges |
may Tow be made 10 contribute few.
dollars toward the maintenance
q the aeW government.