The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1885-08-27
OUR ALASKAN AFFAIRS.
RESOURCES AND NEEDS OF our
NORTH PACIFIC TERRITORY.
ooaly In Need OF an Organized Govern
ment-Treaty Promises of Protection
1hus Far Wholly Unfulfiiled.
WashinCton-Nationa News.

most northern possessions. Governor Swine
ford has asked the appointment of Mr.. r. D
Cfittenden as collector of customs for Alas
ka, an oi1ice scarcely less important IN its re
lations to the territory than that of gov
efnoc. Mr. Critterden has been q residsn
Of Wrangel island, near the mouth o
6tckeen river, for seven years He is na
tive Of South Carolina, but has lived on ths
RAcific coast since 1S49. He cultivates
vegetable farm near Fort Wrangel and
takes great ltersst in the future of tho ter
ritory.
In an interview with Mr. Crittenden b,
gave some very interesting Information re-
gardtng the country and its future under the
new territorial government
Affairs fn Alaska" said Mr. Crittenden
have been unfavorable to a right under
sanding of its true condition sincs its pur
chase by the United States Its most valua-
be franchises have been in the hands of a
fey traders, who but repeat tine history of all
similar experiences, when, to prevent the
dirn;nnt;on OF their profits by competition,
they persistently decry the resources of the
territory. On the other hand, men
from speculative motives, or tourists
struck with the unexpected charms
OF its scenery and climate, have
given too highly colored descriptions of its
advantages. The general opinion has been
formed from the disparaging representa-
riouA which. having been conducted with
eystem and by the potent agent Of ridicule,
have created such an unjust prejudgdment
thaS even in our legislative halls msn sneer
down tee crying claims of Alaska with as
little reason as the supposed statesmen of the
last century had for denouncing the British
government for spending 30 much blool and
TREASURE for few acres of Canada snow"
NWhAt, in your opinion, is the future Of the
territory, now that il is to havs a regular
form Of government
The commercial AMI political situation Of
the country with reference to future posi-
bilities and, intercourse with ths North of
Asia and its already assured resources rem
der the fact Of fts continued Importance, and
also L reasonably cared Tor by our govern
meut, it, great value q moral certainty.
That it contains much mineral wealth can
not be doubted. That its fur trade, properly
protected, win be a long abiding source OF
Tevsnue6 sura. Even its agricultural and
grazing industries viii become important as
our population increases, an its timber and
fishing resources offar q field of vast and
lasting value"
"The general idea of Alaska doas not
agree With your description, as you have
probably learned during your visit east this
summerT
81 know this Is much to say for country
n which, though Containing a large civil
ised population-foF fhe Half Breeds and
Aleuts of the west number over four thou
sand-there has not existed for seventeen
yeazs the slightest vestige of civil law, and
where the only protection for life, liberty or
property has been the arbitrary win of a
military or naval commander, often exer-
ciaed with utter disregard of right or jus
tica Such has been our governments
shameful neglect OF people whom it stipu-
lated, under the solemn covenant Of a treaty,
TO endow with all the rights, advantages and
inInunities Of citizens Of the United
States. It's most profitable industries
hsve been given over to the control of
adventurers, its citizens RENTED to the
caprices or lust of military officials, thus
forcing the best Of them into exile, the de-
telopment Of its resources obstructei, its
ochools and hospitals closed And those who
hailed with joy their deliverancs from Rus
1ian serfdom have learned to curse the DOM
nation Of American freedom as the incar-
nation Of bitterness and degradation. Only
After seveuteen yearsof this nag glect has an
imperfect ray of hope reached them in the
ing them an incomplete and mutiIated form
Of civil government for THE District of
Alasfa.' And even the full measure of this
tardy relief has hpen practically denied,
from the utter unworthiness Of some of the
nore important officials appointed to exc
cute It's provisions"
Then what Suggestions can be made to
improve the form Of governmentfn
The qucition Of 8 remedy for the wrongs
presents itself strongly to the new a1minis-
tration- Additional legislation is needed,
and generous application OF authority al
ready existanX Inc first necessity, as it is
the primary right Of the people, is repressn-
tAtion Il fs difficult to conceive why it was
fepudiatsd In the act rsserrsl to, since it is
the fundamental principle of our liberty,
Ind must bs one Of the rights and advanta-
Gdk promised It has been aivautageously
conferred, with the full form Of territorial
government, on some Of our most valuable
e.ates and territories at time when they
had . smaller CIVILIZED population than Alas
Ia has Aud the reasons which existed in
those cases prevail q fortioh in the instance
of territory 20 remote, so little understood,
% persistsntiy misrepresonted Even on the
seure OF economy it Ia desirable, as the ex-
psnsvof congressional committees Of inquiry
would Tar exceed that Of the provision OF a
delegste."
"Whst viii be some Of the results Of the
Aw making Alaska territorial district"
"a large SUN of money has been appro-
prfatsd for educational purposes in the ter
Fitory. Its benefits will notreach those who
WeEe children when our specious promise
Was given, and who are uninstructed men
and women now. 1t is tardy justice, and
a. a L.
tended. The disbursements Of this fund
should be intrusted to entirely non-sectarian
hands, upon general principles and especial
has operated with most harshness upon the
euildren Of the old native Russian people,
who ars nearly all members of the Greek
church, which does not recognize any other
sestarian control in the training of their off |
spring. And this church. in its people, its
property and tts tenets, is specially protect
ed under the language of our treaty. And
yet through the act Of the late secretary of
the interior, this important duty to all the
Alaskh people has been committed to q Sec
Detarian clergyman, whose only claim to
This distinction results from his prominence
jn establishing mission schools there, in con-
Hec.icn with which he has always managed
70 further his own persona! pecuniary inter-
stR This educational agent was indicted
under five charges by the first grand jury |
thai met in the territory, which was last |
spring."
"What has been your observation of the
attempt to educate this class Of peopler
"The education they have received SO fa:
has been used as a mems of display on dress
parade to which they are generally sum-
moned on the advent Of tourists, and has not
created that true reform in morals ard mode
OF life which shculi be rs highest pu p Sc. |
Released from the control OF tho schools |
they relapse in;o the lcsatioasness of the |
ranch. A no1-sectarinn and thoroughly !
buefness system, applicable TO the immediate
temporal Necessities OF The Indian race, is
the proper plan f.: the benefit both of gov
eminent and people. tbs 7: guires non
secfarian management The mission schools
Are now. as sley have boan always, literally
sustained through their church contribu-
tons The government funds should be
more literally disbursel than in their main
tenance alone"
what has been your experience as far.
Rer in Alaskss'
"My own practical experience of seven
years in southeastern ALASKA teaches me
that while the cereal viii not ripen there,
ehe smaller fruits and barber vegetables
flourish IN the greatest luxuriance, and that
he grasses most conducive 10 the sustenanca
81 cattle grow in such profusion that stock
can be raised with the least trouble and the
greatest profit, requiring no mere attention
N the winter than they do here in The lati.
nlde OF WaShinrsoa and IN, xi,,, tnai,. o-vz,