Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-11-06
A LAND OF GOLD.
First Annual Report Of the Governor
OF Alaska on the Condition of
Affairs
In that Countrywide Gold Deposits on
Douglass Island Represented to
be Truly
Phenomenal, and the outlook Most
Promising-The Demand Of the
People for Education.

WASHINGTON, November 5.-Gov. A. P.
Swineford of Alaska has made his first an
nual report to the Secretary of the Interior
on the condition of affairs in that district.
He arrived at Sitka September 18th, and
was cordially received, save by very few
persons who, in the Language OF the Gov
ernor, preferred the old order of affairs,
under which, presumably, they had per-
suaded themselves to believe they might
individually profit much more largely at
the expense of the general government
than under the new. None of the appro-
priations made for the support of the civil
government or for specific purposes appear
to have reached the ex.otticio Treasurer.
Consequently, he has no record OF the dis
bursements, all of which, with few ex-
ceptions, the Governor says, were made
by tbs collector of customs. An
fNckEAsED APPROPRIATION FOR SCHOOLS
ia asked. The children are said to mani
fest more than the average aptitude in
study, and the adults are especially anx-
ious for the establishment OF English
schools, Reference is made to the disagree
ment between the general agent of the
schools and the people of Sitka, including
the late officials of the civil government,
but the Governor says he has not been in
the Territory long enough to decide the
merits of the case impartially; still he
feels, constrained to say that the general
agent, Notwithstanding his recognized
ability, is exceedingly unpopular whether
Justly so or otherwise he is not prepared
to say with the people, whose co-opera-
ton is essential to the success of the
schools. A careful estimate Of the popula-
ton OF Southeastern Alaska places the
number of whites at 1900 and natives at
1000.
THE NATIVE ALAsKANS
are said to be educated to some extent in
the elementary branches, and to be mem
bers of the Greek, Presbyterian and Cath
olic Churches, They are not Indians, and
differ in appearance, habits, language and
in other res poets from the Indians of the
United States. The Governor dwelis at
length upon the great natural resources OF
Alaska, and severely arraigns those gov
ernment agents who have represented the
countryias inclement to degree that pre-
cludes Stbe cultivation of crops or
the keeping of domestic animals.
Nowhere, he says, in his home
travels, from Lake Superior to the
Gulf of Mexico, has he seen a more lux
uriant vegetation than in Southeastern
Alaska. The harder vegetables all grow
to maturity end to enormous size, and the
cattle are sleek and in the best possible
condition.
THE GOLD MINES
on Douglass Island, opposite Juneau, are
in full operation. The deposit is repre-
sented to be truly phenomenal, and the
| Governor says the mine promises to figure
| more largely in the mining history of the
| world than any ether on record. The
curing and canning of cod and salmon has
| assumed large proportions, although the
| business has not yet been largely remun.
erative by reason of the sharp competition
OF the Columbia river fisheries.
| The Indian police system is highly com
mended. Attention is also directed to the
needs of the Territory in the matter o.
mail facilities, etc.
The law prohibiting liquor traffic is said
to have been disregarded. Defects in the
laws governing the Territorial organization
i are discussed at length.