Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1888-12-13
SLAVES IN ALASKA
Ex-Mayor KImmel Confirms the Stories
OF the indiana Wrongs.

StOEtN8
OF the Indians Wrongs.
NEW York, Dec I3.-There were recently
published IN the New York papers several
dispatch coming FROM various parts Of the
country. in which several men made serious
charges against the employees OF the Alaska
company. According 10 the statements of
thess men, the natives of Alaska are little
better than slaves Of the Alaska company,
the men being forced TO perform the most
mental duties without compensation, and
the women being subjected to the most shock
Ing indignities- The matter was laid before
congress, and the senate adopted a resolution
OF inquiry. Secretary Villas reply has al
ready been published in these dispatches.
Now, ex-Mayor Louis Kimmel, of Lafay.
cite, Ind, has come forward 70 confirm the
wretched story of abuse and oppression Mr..
kimmel has been three times mayor OF La
fayette and is well known as q man of high
standing. He was special treasury agent at
the seal islands in 1882 and 1855, and resigned
his place in the department service rather
than go back TO the islands again He says:
$50 far as my personal knowledge could
extend the story is true, and Is not In the
least exaggerated. 1t couldn't be- OF course
there were details of it which knew nothing
about, because / have been ON only one Of
-
so far as it dealt with the general treatment
of the natives, the abuse OF the women and
the abominab.e expressions practiced upon
the natives by the employees of the Alaska
company, it agreed perfectly with my knowl-
edge Of what was the situation when was
there
"The lease places the two seal islands abso-
lutely In the hands Of the company. No
vessel but theirs can land there, and no sup
plies can be obtained but at their stores
The government agent is supposed to see that
the terms OF the contract are properly en-
forced and carried out, the natives fairly
treate and other things done as they should
be. But he has no power to enforce his
orders. All he can do is to report to his
superior The whole time was there all
that l saw OF the United States government
was once when a revenue cutter passing near
the island sent a small boat ashore and asked
II | were still alive. They found was all
right and went away.
The worst thing about it Is that the ma
tives are absolutely helpless. even to make an
appeal for the righting of their wrongs.
When | came away the chief of the people
wanted To come with me % San Francisco to
make petition to the people in the land
where the sun shines to relieve his people of
some of their Affections. He begged me to
take him with me- but all could do was to
ask my superior, Judge Glidden, for permits
sion for he chief to leave the island. Gid
den said: >Oh, no, we can't let him get down
there. He cant have the permit, and that
was all there was about it The man had to
stay.
These natives are all far above savages in
intelligence They are half civilized at least,
and would make good citizens if they had
chance. As 1t is they have no rights except
what the company employees choose to allow
them The school which the company's con-
tract obliged them to keep up was nothing but
humbug. The teacher was drunk all the
time. An agent can do nothing for the ma
tiveS. II he doesn't act to suit the company's
employees his life is made miserable. They at
tempted to blaclen my character while was
there 10y inventing lot of stories about me-
| sent tor Gus Sauer, the company's steward,
who was responsible for them and told him
would shoot him ON sight if heard any more
of them. Aiter that they let me alone. That
is the method with all the government officers
who do not act to suit them