The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-16
THE ALASKA SCANDAL.
Variety OF Opinion-Gen. Sherman
Seys There is Nothing In 1t.

Variety OF Opinion-Gen. Sherman
Seys There is Nothing in It,
NEw YoBR, Nov, l5.--The interview in
the World Of Monday giving the result of
Mrs Voorhees, travels in Alaska, which
wildly pictured the degraded condition Of
the Alaskan women and tho frightful
abuses OF the young squaws, has attracted
wide attention. a reporter yesterday saw
n number of persons who know something
of that country and secured their views on
the condition OF affairs us revealed by Mrs.
VOORHEES,, and which, 1t is her belief, de-
mands some official attention. Mrs.
Meagher, widow of Gen. Thomas Francis
Meagher, visited Alaska last summer. She
said: eyes, read the article, and it is all
true. People who stick 10 the civilized
ports-Sitka, and about there-who have
good roof over their heads and floor
under their feet, and, above all, newspa-
pers TO tell pleasant things to them about
the East, don't concern themselves with
the wretchedness at their doors. The
white people don't 90 there TO live unless
use their residence there as stepping
stone to some office in the East. They
don't worry about the Indians who are be-
ing slowly exterminaled. II would do no
good ii they did.
81 dare say You think am very heart
less TO speak in this way. But have seen
much OF life in all the Territories, and II
ia unfortunately, true that conditions sim
liar to those described by Mrs. VOORHEES,
are common 10 all communities where the
toughest white element and the defense
less Indians are brought together. | must
say that it is especially pitiable in the
case OF these Aleuts. They are so peace
able and ready TO yield 10 civilizing in
fluenccs. Why, OF all tho Indians in
North America, aud I've seen them all
too, these really make the best appear
ance. They are decently clothed; the men
wear trousers and Shirts and the women
some sort OF drcss-a great Improvement
on blankets and feathers. The ravages OF
disease referred TO in the story published
are painfully evident. 1t is exterminaIing
the Indians"
Mr.. Ward McAllister whose son was
located in Sitka, the capital of Alaska, n
few days AGO, where he held the official
post Of Judge, was asked II he had read the
article in question. lie replied: eyes,
and | regard il rs sensational, very sensa-
tional. do want TO say anything about
this Alaska business. Its a dirty pool,
which you'd best not disturb. My son
WIS there aud he was very glad to get
away. Tho place was for long time en-
tirely under the control OF the mission
aries. Mr.. Jackson was really the chief
power in Alaska don't know whether
he's there now or not, but he had control
Of cvcrything and dispensed the Govern
meni moneys But, really, all know is
hearsay evidence. ! was never there in
my life."
Gen. Sherman was found in his sun
shiny Office in the front basement OF his
new uptown house. lie said he had not
seen the story in question. but when Il
was handed 10 him lac perusod IL carefully.
This is all fiction. There is not n
soldier or sailor in Alaska" Gen. Sher.
inan exclaimed. laying down the paper.
"But isn't there military post thcre"
"No, withdrew the troops myself.
They were not needed there, and our
army was too small to keep a garrison
where the people were peaceful and in
offensive. OF course, as Alaska belonged
to rs, Il had got 10 be looked after some
how, so we threw the burden OF the re-
sponsibiliiy onto another department, as
revenue cutter was detailed 10 patrol the
coast"