The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-15
Mr.. Morgan Makes Strong Speech
In the Senate Chamber.
he Defends Mr.. Bayard's Action
In the Fisheries Treaty
And Regrets the Scandalous Words
Senators Have Used.
Investigation OF the Seal Fisheries Re-
sumed-The Matter OF Trusts
Comes Up Again -- General
Washington News.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1.-THE House
committee ON the merchant marine and
the fisheries today commenced its investi-
CATION into the fur seal fisheries OF Alaska,
authorized by resolution OF the House
This resolution directs the committee TO
make a full and thorough investigation
into the fur seal fisheries of Alaska and all
contracts or leases made by the govern.
mcnt with any persons or companies for
the taking of fur seals or other fur bearing
animals in Alaska, the character, duration
and conditions OF the same. The commit.
tee is also directed 10 ascertain whether
the contracts have been violated, and to
report whether any legislation Is necessary
Tor the protection of the seal fisheries.
Mr.. 5. y. Buynigsky, m ex-agent OF the
treasury department who has spent three
months on the island OF -. George and
some time on the island OF st. Paul in 1871
and 1872. was called rs the first witness.
lie said that while ON 81. Paul island lac
had excellent opportunity Tor studying the
character OF the people. lie found them
TO bc good natured and peaceful. The
terms OF their contract with the Alaskan
company required that the company should
look after the peoples interest. lie had
no reason Ia make any observations 10 tho
agent OF the company with regard 10 tho
same. The company had issued an order
that there should be no greater advance
than p per cent. on the commodities OF
lie over the wholesale prices at San Fran
cisco. lie was satisfied that there was no
departure from this rule. Mr.. Bynigsky
said that while he was at ~. Paul the
terms Of the sompany's lease had been
fully complied with. Witness was salts.
ned that the government itself could
not have operated the seal fisheries with
rs much profit at the time OF the lease ms
by giving them out by contract. The only
grievance the natives had was the at
tempted suppression by the agents Of the
company and thOso Of the government, Of
the practice 10y the natives OF distilling a
beverage which the agents regarded ~
poisonous. The company bad given NIL
Its work 10 the natives nj fair COmpcnsa.
ton. There was considerable gambling
among the natives, aud some ol them
would stay up two OF three nights In sue
ccsslon Tor the purpose. No cmployc Of
the company had engaged with them In
this practice.
The probable effect Of opening M 30
competition the seal fisheries, the witness
said, would be- 10 drive the seals from
the Alaskan islands to the Russian seal
islands, and the people of the Alaskan
islands would be deprived OF livelihood
and have To be- supported by the United
States government
III. A. Glynn, also an ex-agont IL tho
treasury department at the seal islands,
from MAY, lSS2, 90 July, 1885, was next
called. lie described the natives ~ the
time Of his stay there. Tho condition of
the people. lac said, compared iayurably
with that of laborcrs IN this country.
The moral habits oi the people wcrc
good. There was no breach peace Of the
10y the people b. speak ri aud no Necessity
Tor civil officers. The great evil existing
was the propensity OF the people to gam.
bile. II was their great falling. No intoN-
icating liquors were allowed 10 be- aold.
His observations were that the lnhurcra
were paid better than any Others laborcn
IN the world. Prom an almost harbarous
state under the Russian government the
islanders had been brought mp 10 state
of standardization under the influence If
the American government Ills opinion
WIS that II the fisheries were thrown open
10 competition the seals would Become ex.
iinct In five years. The policy of leasing
the privilege Of taking seals WIS the very
best policy that could DC puciiccd 10y the
government
This concluded tho examination cor tho
present, and the committee adjourned
subject TO the call of the chairman.