The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-05-27


ed In the Posr-IsTsILIosScEHo Of Friday
morning United states Marshal Atkins
Of Alaska gives some interesting infor-
nation concerning the progress OF the
territory in which he l. stationed.
lie says thst the growth Of the popu.
Iasson Of Alaska Is litsis less than phe-
nomenal- Miners and prospectors
are focking into the territory and new
sources Of wealth are constantly being
discovered. The Yukon gold fields
are attracting many adventurous
spirits, and in every part OF the terri
tory enterprise and prosperity prevail.
In short. Alaska is on > boom. and the
development Of the territory from this
time forward Is likely to be rapid.
These facts should be considered by
fhe business men and manufacturers
Of Seattle. and they should also con-
sider the advantages which the loca-
ton Of Seattle gives them in any
contest for the trade Of Alsska- That
Alaska IL destined to be . great coun-
try Is nov admitted even by those who
opposed its purchase ~ y piece OF
reckless extravagance. Seattle should
be. and II its business men act intelli.
gently viii he, the gateway for commu-
nication between that territory and the
remainder Of the United States.
The advantages which this city
possesses as a competitor for the trade
OF Alaska are numerous. 1t Is nearer
TO the territory by many hundred
miles than any other city that pre-
tends to be a commercial center. Its
railroad communication with all parts
OF the country gives IL facilities rs a
point Of supply equal to those OF San
Francisco, while the consideration OF
two thousand additional miles OF sen
voyage Is likely to be = potent one In
influencing the Alaska merchant
against crying his trade to the latter
city. Seattle is in every respect able
to capture and to hold the vast bulk Of
the Alaska trade. and II only remains
for her merchants u enter the busi-
ness field which lies 80 invitingly OPEN
In discussing the advantages OF ex-
tending our trade relations with Alas
ka II should not be forgotten that the
lease OF the sealing privilege TO the
Alaska fur company expires in less
than two years. There Is not the
slightest probability that this lease win
be renewed, and the chances are that
some arrangement will be made
whereby the fisheries will be thrown
open TO all American citizens, though.
of course. under proper regulations.
This will rcyolutionixc the condition
OF the territory. The sealing opera
tions win no longer be carried on by
one powerful company with headquar-
tiers at San Francisco. but by hun
drcds OF independent sealers who will
lay In their supplies and sell their furs
at the most advantageous point. That
point IL Seattle. and there is no reason
20 doubt that 1t viii within few years
be the great center of the sealing in
dustry. This consideration should
be an incentive to our merchants to
push their trade with Alaska, even
though il must be done in spite of Ger
tain disadvantages which are due to
the monopoly held by the great san
Francisco company.
A little effort put forth during the
months which intervene before the ex-
piration of the charter viii be produc.
tive OF amazing results in the future.
The time Is not far distant when hun
drcds of sealing vessels will sail from
Seattle and when the Alaska trade
will be one of the most importan!
factors in the city's prosperity.