Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1885-10-24

bic supply of coal is found within Is
miles CT Sitka. Mining camps are
spreading over the Territory and
mining machinery IN being brought
in. Towns and villages are springing
up and an adventurous and e~nterpris-
ing population is pouring into the
country from aIl directions. In the
presence Of such factors who can at
tempt to foreteli The 2s.strs Of this
great empire OF nesr! :54s,3Ju square
miles? OF the interior. IL ma truly
be said, there is less known than there
ought to be. Had Congress sgiven
some attention, or made an appropri-
alton and directed the exploration Of
this vast region, there would not be
this lamenta5Ie lack Of KNOWLEDGE
concerning it. Under Russion rule, a
government less liberal and enlight-
ened than ours, some praiseworthy at
tempts were made in this direction.
Much Of what we know has been
learned from Whympers and kotze-
bue's works on Alaska, and later, from
Capt. Dali of the u. S. Coast Survey.
Although Is years in possession there
is nothing to boast of either in the
way Of new discoveries or improve
ments. There is not three miles Of
roadway in all Alaska. There is one
roadway from Sitka to the cemetery
and timber, made by the soldiers in
'67s which is about three miles in
length. Previous to that time there
was 10 roadway at all, nor do [ think
there was a wagon in all Russian
America previous to the cession to the
United States. Prince Maksutof the
Russian Governor, had two horses
and two COWS, and the limit was
reached. So the reader can infer
all that is known about the interiorin
the absence of public roads OF high
ways. Some officers and men Of the
Russian army made attempts from
time to time IN the way OF expIoration,
by water. carrying with them provis-
ions, which, when exhausted. thew
ere compelled to return. Lieut..
Schwatka's ascent and descent of the
Great Yukon" has been occupying
considerable attention, and the fact
that he has resigned his position with
a view view of returning to Alaska in
the interest Of a Cattle company, fully
demonstrates that there are abundant
range grasses, &c. In a word there's
money in it-for an ice field. The
great want Of government, i. G. civil
government, has been a great draw
back to the advance Of progress.
Military OF naval administration of
the law SAVIOR too much Of dictator
ship and tyranny, and should be adj
ministered in small doses, according
to the temper Of the patient, otherwise
a reaction ensues and to effect a cure
IS often very difficult. Under Presi-
dent Arthur's administration, +. H.
hlnkead was appointed Governor Of
AiaSla-the first civil ruler. A resi-
dence OF over three years in the Ter
andlargely engaged in business
that period, made him famili
with the people, and the general
of the Territory. In addition
to this, Kinkead is one of the NOS
honorable and upright Of men. His
appointment gave general satisfaction
and the most sanguine hopes werein-
.ulged in that a new era had dawned
the best interests Of Alaska. Gov.
klnkead had not been in installed in
office but a short time when his re-
|noyal took place, according to the
new mode of Civil Service reform. and
man appointed to succeed him whose
merit consists in complete ignorance
the Territory and it's inhabitants,
and of being a striker for the party in
power. x