Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1885-11-28
THE ALASKA FISHERIES.
FOB TIE TRIBUNE.
The Alaska fisheries = considered

Judge, that the profits from the fur
trade alone. exceeds S1,O00,00O annu-
ally. On the above named Islands
are the "~rocheries," i. G., the breadlng
ground CT the seal. Here they come
to bear and real thor young, year at
ter year. The natives watch for their
coming. Some Of the older ones
come a few days il advance Of the
swarm, apparently doing duty as
scouts. After carefully surveying the
ground, they return to sea and bring
Ia The millions. They remain On the
| Islands six months. de-e IS where
the killing is done. The seals are
driven i4s4 tie interior where !Ae.y
are slaughtered By the native ALentl-
ans in such a manne as to leave the
skin intact. Those killed are quickly
disposed Of. The natives live largely
upon the blubber, while the oil pro
aucing lat is preserved to such an ex-
tent that little OF no waste remains.
The Alaska Commercial company,
formerly the Russian-America4 Fur
company, have been very successful.
Due in a great measure to the terms
agreed upon with the treasury depart
ment. The lease was made in 1868,
to extend over a period Of eighteen
| wears at an annual rental Of $4,000.
Certain restrictions were made on the
part Of the government: Only a spec
fled number Of seals were to be kill
ed each year and one under a cer-
tain age: The natives engaged by the
company to be provided with food,
clothing and educational facilities.
The manner in which the company
have discharged their obligations, has
been in the highest degree merltous.
No Just cause Of complaint exists.
The rules and regulations prescribed
by the department have been compli-
ed with, and thenatiye employees have
been fairely and literally dealt with.
It requires almost unlimited capital to
carry on the business, and quite 9
number Of vessels, besides afording
permanent employment to a large
number Of persons. The Alentian Is
lands extend in q continuous chain to
the borders OF Asia. Agents Of the
company are station along this group,
and schooners ply backward and for
ward occupied in the fur trade. The
seal business itself is assuming extern
sive proportions and require to be
well guarded by the government, so
that the seals are not frightened or
driven from American waters.
The salmon and cod fisheries Of
Alaska are now utilized. Several
companies now being engaged in the
canning industry. There is abund-
ance and to spare, Of every quality Of
fish, and in quantity sufficient to sup
ply the entire human family. Some
attention bestowed on this industry
viii preclude paying millions yearly
for the right to fish is waters other
than American.
In conjunction with the fisheries OF
Alaska, the mining interest is coming
consciously to the front. One stamp
mill alone is producing the sum Of
$4,000 monthly. Senator Jones Of
Nevada, has been for years engaged
in investigating the mines, and in
vesting IN Alaska gold rock. Years
hence and people will wonder why
they did not more fully understand
the varied resources Of this vast re
gion Of country. It IS q hopeful sign
Of the times and the coming future
that inquiry is being made, and ex-
ploration going on, for by such means
alone can our people be truly inform
ed. All feeling interested IN this por-
ton of our common country; SO re-
mote; SO extensive; SO full Of resources
and SO little known. With a civil
government in Alaska, much may be
expected. With it there is authority
and responsibility; also a source Of
information authentic and reliable,
and a sense Of security to life and
property. It is gratifying to know
that schools are now being establish
ed in all the towns. In Sitka, the
principal town and seat Of govern
ment, there are at present five schools.
Schools are now established at Ton
gas, Wrangle, Kodiak, kenay, June
an City, and other places IN the Ter
ritory. When We recollect that the
population Of Southwestern Alaska
comprises 1900 whites and nearly s.
600 natives. it shows the necessity OF
the voice Of the school teacher being
heard in the land. The churches fol
low the schools. The several Chris
tan denominations are already rep
resented; the Greco-Russian leading
in numbers, il not in Intelligence, pi-
ETY. and virtue.
It speaks well Tor the people Of
Alaska, when it IS known that for ff-