The morning call., 1891-01-17
rHE NEW REGIME IN ALASKA.

On Wednesday Secretary Noble trans
mitted to Congress report of the proceed
ings of the Territorial convention held in
Alaska in June and October last, and Carter
of Montana lost no time in introducing
bill for the establishment of a Territorial
government in that Territory. 1t would
seem that it should pass without opposition.
Twenty three years have elapsed since
Alaska passed under the flag, and during all
that period it has been in condition OF
practical anarchy. 1t has had Governor
without a Legislature and without eXecu-
tive officers; it has had United States
Judge without a competent force to compel
obedience to his DEGREES; it has had laws
notably prohibition law-which has been
so honored in the breach that it has fallen
into derision. 1t is time that order were in
troduced.
Eleven years ago President Hayes urged
upon Congress to make some provision Tor
the establishment of civil government in
the Territory. Four years afterward an
act was passed making Alaska civil and
judicial district with temporary seat of
government at Sitka, and providing for the
appointment of a Governor, District Judge
and court officials. A land office was like
wise established at the same point. In the
that this fragment OF a government organi-
cation was in working order and that num-
Der of schools had been founded for the edu-
cation of the natives. Since then nothing
has been done to establish in the Territory
the institutions on which orderly society is
supposed to rest.
We are even ignorant of the size and pop
ulation of the great Territory. Biographies
give its area at 81, 800 square miles-whlch
exceeds the area of California, Oregon and
Texas combined; but the line which demar-
Gates Alaska from the British possessions
has never been surveyed, and the estimate
is thus conjecture. AS to its population,
Mr.. Ivan Petroff estimated the total il 1880
at 80, It's souls. But Governor Swineford, IN
1885, SAID he could not find over 10000. MIR.
Porter has done some guessing for his CEN
SuS but it evidently rests upon mere guess,
and is not worth repeating. There are a
few white people, perhaps 1000, at Juneau,
Stka and at the canneries on the ukon,
and other rivers. And there are, perhaps,
10000 or more natives of various Indian
races scattered along the coast, on the rivers
and ON the fur-seal islands. But they have
never been counted. aud it would cost more
than the information is worth TO count
them. II will suffice to say that Alaska is
Inc largest Oh our s1tTGllOTleS, Win luo lew
est people in it.
The fact does not Justify neglect of it by
tie National Government, nor can it ever be
peopled unless the land laws of the United
States are put in full force therein, and
Government surveys made SO as to insure a
title to settlers. The operation is none the
less necessary because it will be expensive.
In his last message to Congress, President
Hayes dwelt upon the difficulty OF dealing
with Alaska He said that 1.-The problem
was to supply a local rule for a population
so scattered and SO peculiar N its origin and
condition" But the same problem was
presented when free government was estab-
ilshed ID most of the Western States, nota-
bly, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Colorado
and California; and it was solved to the
satisfaction OF their inhabitants. and in ac-
cordance with the settled principles of civil
izaton. There is no reason why Alaska
should be an exception.
Its resources and its future possibilities
are known. 1t now yields every year sew
eral million dollars worth of furS aud
precious metals; it supplies the world with
considerable fsh-food. OF the agricultural
capacities Of its valleys, Governor Swine
ford spoke with enthusiasm. He said he
had seen turnips growing in Southeastern
Alaska TO a weight of ten pounds, wild
timothy and red top five to seven feet in
height, and as fine potatoes in the gardens
at Sitka, Juneau and Wrangell as are to be
seen in Eastern markets. No private inter
ests should be suffered to stand in the way
OF the development of such Territory.