The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-12-04
THE TERRITORY OF ALASKA
Senator Dolph. Of ofOregon. Returns from
aRecent Visit and Tells His Experience.

ESXD6f16nC0s
Senator Dolph, of Oregon, made
trip along the Alaska coast to and
north of Sitka, and says: II was
more impressed with the village than
with the country ITSELF The trip was
delightful one, indeed. Persons who
have travelled extensively i'll Europe
expressed the opinion that it was one
of the most picturesque and enjoyable
trips in the world. The journey is
made by ocean steamship from Port.
land. The steamer makes one trip
every month. BY taking the Northern
Pacific railroad to Puget Sound, that
is from Portland to Port Townsend,
one avoids an ocean voyage, ashe can
take the steamer there, and it's route
thereafter is entirely by inland chan
nels, except crossing Queen Charlotte
Sound, the passage of which is only
about three hours long. 1t is only
Southern Alaska that is visited by
tourists. The scenery isgrand through
out the entire voyage. Mountains
frequently rise abruptly from the wa
ter's edge, covered with timber and
verdure to their SUBMITS. Not the
least interesting of sights are the gla-
ciers. The steamer during the summer
usually goes into Glacier Bay, at the
head Of which five large glaciers reach
down to the water, continually throw.
ing off icebcrgs.
"My impressions of the value OF
Alaska. were confirmed by what Isaw
and learned. ] believe, owing to the
numerous inland channels, islands and
great rivers that the fishing interests
of the Pacific Northwest will exceed in
magnitude and value the fishing in
terests of the North Atlantic coast
whenever there is sufficient market
for good fishes to cause their develop
ment. Goldfish, salmon, herring and
halibut are abundant. Goldfish are
being caught at few places for mar
ket. a several points salmon are
being ,kled. Recently there has been
established n number of salmon can
neries. Owing to the low price OF
salmon and expense Transportation
the canneries have not been in opera
tion this season. ] have no doubt
but Alask:. possesses great mineral re.
sources. Mines OF copper, iron and
coal have been discovered, as well as
ledges ofgold and silver-bcaringquarts.
There are also placer mines OF both
metals.
"Ihe value OF the seal fisheries are
generally known The Government
has leased to Il California company
the small islands of st. Paul and st.
George. for $50, 900 year, and So
81 12 for each seal killed, the privi-
lege of killing 100000 seals annually,
making S31 500 per annum revenue
from those islands alone. The value
OF the timber OF Alaska, I believe, has
been overestimated. The Alaska cedar
is u very valuable timber, and will be
in great demand some day for furni-
ture and iinishinelumbcr, but fear it
will only be found i'll limited quanti-
ties. The whole country, as Judge it
from Southern Alaska, is scovered with
less valuable varieties of pine. / do
not think Alaska will ever become an
agricultural country, not so much on
account OF the coldness of the winters,
for it is asserted that the weather at
Sitka during winter months is very
little colder than Washington City,
but on account of the cool wet sum
mer season. In fact, but a very small
portion OF the Territory has suitable
soil for agriculture if the climate were
suitable. However, vegetables, in
Guiding cabbages, beets, turnips and
potatoes, seem to thrive in Southern
Alaska, and it is said some kinds OF
grain have been raised on Cooks Inlet,
north OF Sitka, and some parts OF the
main land. saw Strawberries at Sit
ka in July, but they were not numer-
ous."