The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1885-11-28
ALASKA.
How the Territory Appeared to Senator
Dolph, of Oregon.

How the Territory Appeared to Senator
Dolph, of Oregon.
Senator Dolph, of Oregon, made a
trip along the Alaska coast to and north
of Sitka, and says: Il was more inn
pressed with the village than with the
country itself. The trip was Il delight
full one, indeed Persons who have
travelled extensively in Europe expressed
the opinion that it was one of the most
picturesque and enjoyable trips in the
world. The journey is made by ocean
steamships from Portland. The steamer
makes one trip every month. BY TAX
ing the Northern Pacific Railroad to
Puget Sound, that is from Portland to
Port Townsend, one avoids an ocean
voyage, as he can take the steamer
there, and its route thereafter is entirely
by inland channels, except crossing
Queen Charlotte Sound, the passage of
which is only about three hours loug.
It is only Southern Alaska that's visited
by tourists. The scenery is grand
throughout the entire voyage. Noun
tains frequently arise abruptly from the
waters edge, covered with timber and
verdure to their SUBMITS. Not the least
interesting of sights are the glaciers
The steamer during the summer usually
goes into Glacier Bay, at the head of
which five large glaciers reach down to
the water, continually throwing off ice.
bergs.
my impressions of the value of
Alaska were confirmed by what l saw
and learned, | believe, owing 90 the
numerous inland channels, islands and
great rivers that the fishing interests of
the Pacific Northwest will exceed in
magnitude Hld value the fishing inter-
ests of the North Atlantic coast when
ever there is a sufficient market for food
fishes to cause their development. Cod
fish, salmon, herring and halibut are
abundant. Goldfish are being caught at
few places for market. AT several
points salmon are being picked. Re-
Gently there has been established a
number of salmon canneres. Owing to
the low price of salmon and expense of
transportation the canneries have not
been in operation this season. | have
no doubt but Alaska possesses great
mineral resources. Mines of copper,
iron and coal have been discovered, as
we'll as lodges ofs gold and silver-bear-
ing quartz. There rs also placer mines
of both metals.
''The value of the seal fisheries are
generally known. The Government has
leased to q California Company the
small islands of st. Paul and st. George
for $50, 900 year, and 81 678 for each
seal killed. the privilege of killing 100,-
900 seals annually, making S317, 800 per
annum revenue from these islands
alone. The value of the timber OF
Alaska, believe, has been over-esti-
mated. The Alaska cedar is very val
liable timber, and will be in great de-
mand some day for furniture and finish.
ing lumber, but | fear it will only be
found in limited quantities. The whole
country, as judge it from Southern
| Alaska, is covered with less valuable
varieties of pine. do not think Alaska
will ever become an agricultural coun
try, not so much on account of the cold.
ness of the winters. for it is asserted
that the weather at Sitka during winter
months is very little colder than Wash
ington City, but on account of the COO
wet summers and the shortness of the
summer season In fact, but very
small portion of the Territory has suit
able soil for agriculture if the climat,
were suitable. However, vegetables
including cabbages, beets, turnips anC
potatoes, seem to thrive in Southern
Alaska, and it is said some kinds o.
grain have been raised on Cooks Inlet
north of Sitka. and some parts of tn,
main land. saw Strawberries at Sitki
in July, but they were not numerous" -
Chicago Sun.