The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-12-19
a Great Monopoly Dissatisfied

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In our dispatches day or two ago it was
stated that the Secretary of the Treasury
had decided to ask bids for the exclusive priv
ilege of catching seals in Alaskan waters
This decision, it is alleged, is not satisfac-
tory to the Alaska Fur Company, which
has had a monopoly of the governments
seal fisheries for twenty years. It's control
will soon expire. The last congress author
lied the Secretary of the Treasury either to
make new contract with that company or
to invite bids for the privilege which it now
enjoys. Doubtless the secretary has acted
wisely in inviting competition.
The Alaska Fur Company has made an
immense amount of money out of the seal
fishery privilege, and there is no doubt that
it expects to get the privilege again. If the
truth were known 1t would appear, proba-
bly,, that it had the resolution passed by
congress giving the Secretary of the Treas
ury the right to enter into a new contract
with it. 1t is said that it has powerful
lobby in Washington, and, doubtless, ex-
pectsd to get a renewal of its contract upon
very favorable terms. 1t may outbid all
competitors, but if it does there will be no
room for saying that favoritism was shown.
Although the Alaska company has made
fortunes for all of its members, it has kept
within the limits of its contract, as far as
known. 1t has not killed any mora seals
annually than it was permitted to kill 1t
was for its interest not to do 50, if it ex-
pected to get contract for another term.
1t would be pretty easy matter to destroy
the seal fisheries altogether II the number
killed yearly were considerably increased,
the seals would soon become extinct in
| Behring sea.
1t costs the government great deal ITO
| protect the fisheries. During the last
season quite number of vessels both
English and American, were caught with
seal skins on board Off the coast of Alaska
| by revenue cutters. 1t is pretty certain
that many thousands of seals are killed
surreptitiously every year. This country
claims exclusive jurisdiction of Bshring
sea, but its claim is not admitted by other
| countries. This is a matter that may COM
mand some attention from congress at an
early day.
Gen. Malone seems to know a thing or
two. He smiled sarcastically, but said
nothing, when some one asked him if the
President would do his part to punish those
who violated the civil service law by col
lecting money from government employees
for the Virginia republican campaign. Has
the President done anything: If so, what Z
That fresh young man." Civil Service
Commissioner Roosevelt, may conclude
after awhile that the man who appointed
him doesn't want him 10 be very enthusiast
tic in the cause of civil service reform.
1t looks as if the frs person executed by
electricity in New York would b. Japa-
nese named Schihok Jugio, who murdered
fellow countryman last month. He has
been sentenced to be executed within seven
days after Feb. 3 next, aud is the first Japa-
nese upon whom sentence of death was ever
passed in New York. While the judge wa
delivering the sentences the murderer stood
erect, with smile upon his lips, and at the
conclusion he bowed almost to the floor.
|
Most of the New York newspapers state
that Mr.. Depew has decided not to come to
Atlanta next month. He says that he
would be delighted to come, but that his
business engagements are such that he can
not do 50. Well, come some other time
Mr.. Depew. If it is true, as alleged, that
you have been very little 10 the south, vol
have made great mistake.