The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-05
HE'LL KNOCK At THE DOOR
The First Delegate From Alaska
Now on His Way to Wash
ington.
A Sea Captain Who VIII Talk
Barnyard Sense to the Con-
gressmen.
He Tells About the Seal Fishery Troubles
and Has Plan to Settle
Them.

A we'll built aud fine looking gentleman
with pair of round rosy cheeks on either
side OF an iron gray mustache, registered at
The Helena yesterday rs ]. Carroll. Alaska.
He WAS accompanied by J. H. Mitchell, Jr.,
son of Senator John H. Mitchell, and divi-
sion counsel of the Northern Pacific at Ia
coma; s. g. Ramsey, division superintend-
ent of the Northern Pacific at Missoula; F.
M. Dudley, general land attorney of the
road; DIR. Buckley, the Northern Pacific
surgeon at Missoula, and Judge w. Z. Gull
len, of this city. Captain Carroll is the
first delegate from Alaska to the national
congress. That is, he was unanimously
elected delegate. His admission is de-
pendent entirely on the way congress looks
at the matter. Alaska has no territorial
government aside from the governor and
United States marshal, and the Office of
delegate has never been created. The white
people of the territory decided some time
ago that some one was needed to look after
their interests in Washington. The great
developments in the past few years have
demonstrated the importance,of Alaska and
if these developments are to continue the
government should offer some assistance
and protection. At least the people inter
ested in this movement arrived at such .
conclusion last summer. They therefore
met in convention and resolved to take
some action. In looking about for the right
man they found none more worthy for the
work or more familiar with Alaskan re-
sources than Captain Carroll. He was unan-
imously elected delegate and is now on
his was to ask for his seat.
This is the first time have been SO far
inland in thir ty-fve years. said the cap
tain. II left Illinois in 1856 for New York.
From there went around the Horn to the
Pacific coast and have followed the sea
in later years to Alaska. Now, then, with
reference to my mission l will say that
am neither q statesman nor politician,
but think can 90 down to Washington
and talk little barnyard sense to some of
those people. know Of no reason why the
people in Alaska should not receive little
more attention from the governments. We
need good many things. One Of them is
good liberal land law to be enforced in a
satisfactory manner. Alaska now has a
population of $4,000 people of whom 5000
are whites. They are intelligent and pro-
the country. The extent of Alaskan re-
sources is not generally known. The fish
last year were valued ut $3, $780,
600. This year they will be larger. Our
mining resources are likewise becoming
known. We have the biggest gold mill in the
mines are being develope d. while
most unlimited. The United States
government paid 87,5OO,OOO for Alaska for !
which it has received in return $5.000, 600, |
which think shows the wisdom Of the pur-
~
the government should show its apprecia- |
ton by doing something for the territory. |
You want to know something about the
seal fisheries? Well, to begin with, some
thing must be done to protect the seals. If
this il not done the seal will soon become
there should be some international arrange
ment to preserve the fisheries. This is, of
course, an important subject to Alaska and
| propose to do what / can to see that the
government takes hold of the matter. do
not know whether British vessels will pur-
ing, but | do not anticipate any trouble.
The day of war has passed and that of set
fling difficulties by arbitration has come.
have no fear that war will result over the
possession of q few seals. The United
States has undoubted authority over the
Doast. It is doubtful if they have this right
/ hundred miles from the coast. As / say
The great thing now is to keep the seals.
The great rise in the value of skins in the
London market this year is pretty good
evidence that the seals are not SO numer-
ous as they were. The fishing will be all
light in a few years if the seals are left
Hone for they increase in numbers very
last. The majority killed are found in
leep sea water and for this reason the gov
should unite in the efforts to pre-
lerve the fisheries.o
The captain and his party left last even
ng ON special train for st. Paul.