Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1889-01-21
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
Gov. Swineford's Charges against
the Alaskan Company.
SOUTH DAK0TANS ANGRY.
Back Where They Were Five Years
Ago-A Very Bad state of
Aflairs in Alaska.

W AShINGTONs Jan. 2i.-ihe delegation
from both South and North Dakota, includ-
ing a large number of prominent and leading
Democrats of South Dakota, who have been
here urging the passages of the senate bin for
the admission OF South Dakota and an en-
abling act for North Dakota, are very i'm
dignant over the provisions az the Springer
omnibus bin, which passed the house Friday.
They say it win delay the admission Of
South Dakota, and put the efforts OF that
state for admission back where they were
i've years ago, when the organization of the
movement for admission had its inception.
The Springer bin, they say, does not adj
vance admission for South Dakota one
moment of time
The delegation regard the provisions OF
the bin as unfair in political sense, and
also unsafe for their material interests.
Among the provisions objected TO is one
relating to the school lands of the state.
The school lands and school fund to be de-
rived therefrom have been a cherished OBJ
ject with people of that state, and they are
unwilling, they say. to permit schemers,
through their influence with congressman, to
take from them this splendid influence,
which is for future use in educating the chill
dren. Another provision of the bill pro-
hibits the state from exercising the right OF
eminent domain over a large quantity Of
lands belonging TO persons who, Of Indian
descent, though enjoying in every respect
the rights and who, in the opinion of the
delegation ought to be subject to the duties
of other citizens
The delegation say other obnoxious pro-
visions exist which are detrimental to the
material welfare of the state They are
urging the senate to reject this bill alto
gether, ''and 10 insist upon justice being
done t. South Dakota by providing for her
immediate admission, which she has been
prepared for and been asking for five years,
and which the senate has twice recognized
by passing the Harrison bill and afterward
the Platt bill, both of which provided for the
admission of South Dakota under the consti-
tuition framed and adopted by her people,
and which right was also recognized to the
fullest extent by the Republican national
convention at Chicago
The delegation believes that the president
elect will call an extra Session of congress for
the consideration OF the territorial question.
ALLEGED sERFDoM IN ALASKA.
The speaker laid before the house a report
from Governor Swineford, of the Alaska
Commercial company. He says that he reit
crates what he had heretofore said about the
company. Within the wide limit over which
this company operates, he says the natives
are little better than mere serfs. ''ln most
places,n he says, "they are subjected to the
double robbery of being compelled to part
with their furs at less than half their value,
and in return are charged two or three prices
for the goods they can only buy at the COM
panys stores.
Notwithstanding the reply of this COM
pany," says Governor Swineford, sof its
president in which the charges made in my
aerafncf ara
MED, now and here reiterate every word OF
those charges though / know full well that
an investigation made by a committee Of
congress, holding its sessions in Washington
and calling as witnesses only those who have
been recipients of the company's favors, is
not likely TO arrive at any just conclusion as
to their truth or falsity. can only say that
each and every statement / have made con-
cerning the operations Of this company Is
susceptible of the clearest and most convinc-
ing proof, but the evidence will
not be found lying around loose
in the cities Of Washington and
San Francisco; 1t must be sought for
among the people who have suffered" lie
complains that the natives are compelled to
take little or nothing for skins caught by
them, from the company, and Of this little
receive a greater part in goods He cites
notice He also says that the company en-
couragos the natives in the besetting vice,
drunkenness, in order to keep them in sub
lection. 1t has also, he says, violated the law
in allowing the importation of firearms and
driven away from the islands every gov
ernment official who refused to do its bidding
In conclusion Governor Swineford recon-
mends that the monopoly of the Commercial
company he broken up, and if this company
again receive the lease of the Seal Island
their business be restricted to the Seal Island
not be allowed to control the whole country
or engage in the store business. He says the
only way TO have the facts about Alaska
brought out Is the visit of a congressional
committee TO Alaska, and he heartily
favors it.
Iy THE SENATE
The senate passed upon the clause OF tns
tariff bill relating to guns and cutlery
Mr.. Dawes presented to the senate the Gre
dentials Of Mr. Hoar for the term commenc-
ing March next They were placed on file.
The presiding officer laid before the senate
the certificate Of the presiding officers Of the
Delaware legislature to the election of An
thony Higgins as senator from that state.
On motion of Mr.. Edmunds, who said that
the paper was not In conformity with the re-
quirements Of law, it was referred to the
committee on privileges ana elections
FOUR MORE HARBoR DEFENDERS.
Mr. Blair introduced in the senate a bill
for the construction Of four semi-submergfna
torpedo boats with armor protected dehectfva
decks. Two Of them are to be 135 feet long
and 26 feet BEAM Of y knots speed, and two
go feet long and 50 feet beam, Of "A knots
knots speed. They are to be constructed ac-
cording to the plans of w. F. Mason McCarty.
They are 70 cost respectively e19u.O0o and