The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-12-25
GOV. KNAPP DIsoUssEs ALASKA.

GOV. KNAPP DISCUSSES ALASKA,
We are indebted to Gov. Lyman E.
Knapp of Alaska for copy of his third
annual report to the Secretary of the In
terror in relation to affairs in that dis
tant Territory. The contents of the re-
port include much that will be of general
interest in view of the attention that has
been attracted to Alaska through the
sealing troubles, and it has a special in
terest for Vermonters from the fact that
Gov. Knapp when at home is a resident
of Middlebury. The report shows that
wonderful progress has been made dur
ing the year 1891 in variety of ways.
The total population of Alaska is placed
at $4,000 by estimate, the census not hav-
ing been completed so that the result of
the enumeration could be included in the
report. The white population of south
eastern Alaska is larger than ten years
ago, but it is still small, only about 1900
persons. The white population is nearly
one-half foreign born, and very many
have never been naturalized as citizens
of the United States. There is constant
progress in civilization and improved
conditions of life among the natives
along the coast and on the islands.
Churches and schools as well as other
agencies for the uplifting of these peo-
pie, are doing effective work, but these
people are, says the report, in verv sad
physical condition. Diseases that ought
to be arrested or averted by medical skill
are doing terrible work among them as
never before, and hospital treatment is
suggested as the only effectual remedy.
The people are pronounced peaceably
and kindly disposed, measurably hon
est, and they have great respect for the
government.
The report says that while it was not
the mines and minerals of Alaska that
first called attention to the remarkable
features and characteristics of this
country, the discovery of gold has had
great influence IN its progress and de-
velopment Our mineral resources are
the subject of more discussion and still
create greater fever of excitement than
any other. Furs first attracted the emil
grant, and the fur business may still be
considered it's leading industry. The
fishing interests come second, and raise
the question by their magnitude and i'm
portance whether they should not be
held first in estimation. After furs and
fisheries statistics give mining the chief
place in Alaska's industries, and the
confident expectation in the minds of
many people that mining interests will
soon lead all others is certainly support
ed by numerous and suggestive ndicA-
tions of great wealth. Many discoveries
of rich ore and placer deposits have been
made within the year, and locations by
scores have been recorded in the local re-
cording districts.
Governor Knapp says there is less ex-
cuse for errors of policy in dealing with
the aborigines of Alaska than with
American Indians. Their conditions are
entirely different. Their habits of life
are unlike the habits of the Indians of
the plains. They are more intelligent,
settled and reliable. They live in fixed
abodes and are accustomed to independ-
ent and self sustaining ways. They have
already made great strides toward the
American civilization. The government
is not embarrassed by treaties with them
or other presidents of recognition of
tribal relations, and it has fair and
open field for inaugurating a system
which shall yield better results than the
old one.
The natives consider themselves the
true owners of the country, with all the
accomplishments of soil, forests, streams
aud navigable waters. Its game, fish
and vegetable growths are their per-
sonal property. The white man is an
invader to be tolerated as a matter of ne
cessity, or perhaps as matter of ad-
vantage. AS a conquered people they
bow to the inevitable and will accept
such place in the legal structure as
shall be accorded them.-Free Press.