St. Paul daily globe., 1888-01-03
SOME NEEDS OF ALASKA.
Gov. Swineford Talks TO a Globe Man
of the Great Possession.
THE FUR SEAL COMPANY
Legislation by Congress Needed to
Remedy Some of the Abuses
Existing There.

''1t was my intention to make a
through trip to the East this time" re-
marked Gov. Swineford, of Alaska, as
he puffed vigorously at choice Partaga
in the Ryan rotunda last evening, ''but
my wife was indispOsed from the fa-
tigue incident to our long journey, and
/ was consequently compelled to remain
over for day or SO in st. Paul.
GAS to the needs of our territory, en-
bracing as it does, according to the
latest computation, over 100000 square
miles, unQualifiedly should say, more
white men to settle and develop this
glorious country. To-day in the whole
OF Alaska there are but twenty-one
settlers who hold deeds in fee
simple to their property, while the re-
mainder are squatterS liable to diSpoS-
session whenever the government may
see fit. Congress should remedy the
evils regarding the land problem in
Alaska at the earliest possible moment,
and while at Washington l shall urge
upon that body the necessity for prompt
and vigorous action in this respect.
In my opinion the greatest drawback
to the prosperity of Alaska grows out
of the monopoly enjoyed by the Gem
mercial Fur Seal company, whose con-
tract doesn't expire until 1890. Here is
an organization that pays annually
$4,000 to the United States for the
privilege of taking 100000 seals Off two
small islands, but so great is its inf1u-
ence that it controls the territory, with
the exception or a small portion in the
southeast and where the only white men
live.
IT'S POWER Is AS GREAT
that nf fha tamOnC HnhcnD Raw oop1-
pany, and as they own all the trading
posts where supplies are furnished
they can, if they see fit, starve men into
submission who will not obey their Or
ders. This was demonstrated short
time ago in the case of a deputy
United States marshal, who,
in trying to enforce orders of his
superior officer, became obnoxious
to the seal company and boycott was
instituted against him, resulting in his
cOmpulsorily quitting the district in
which he had been ordered to prosecute
his duties. According to the report of
Special Agent Tingle the seal company
did not confine itself to the stipulated
tract during the season just ended,
but exceeded the limit 5000. 1t
is question in my mind whether
this company has the privilege Of killing
as many seals as it sees fit and then
picking out hundred thousand market
able skins and saying. We are allowed
to do this if we want to- Among our
people the impression prevails that the
time has arrived for speedy action by
congress both in regard to lands and
seals in Alaska. and the place to begin
is with a restriction of the privileges
granted to the commercial people.
Until this is done Immigration will not
seek our territory and aid in its devel-
opment and enterprises that would put
millions of dollars in circulation are
deferred from so doing from the fact
that it is impossible to obtain title to
lands. Some of the capitalists who
have invested money with us are work
ing upon lands to which they have no
title, ,and knowledge of this fact, keeps
us back when we should be going
ahead"