The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-10-12
THE PASSING THRONG.

Lyman E. Knapp. governor OF Alaska. came
down on the City of Topeka yesterday. and 10 at
the Northern. He leaves this morning for tho
East, going to Washington City and then spend
irg a shorp time at his old homo in Vermont
This is the second time he has been In the states
since going 10 Alaska, nearly four years ago, and
the other time he only came as far as seattle to
confer with Senators Squire and Allen. Speak
ing OF affairs in Alaska, the governor said:
1.-THE country is fairly prosperous, but whatever
profits are made in that country by white peo-
pie are taken out of the country, 30 that, out
side OF the mines. there is very little done in the
way Of developing Alaska's resources. The
fisheries are great industry there. Aside from
those who make Ii q business, fish forms most
important part of the food Of the natives. The
salmon pack this year will not be quite so large
as last year, owing to the combine OF the can
ners. There arc four firms engaged ia the cod fish
cries, and one which makes Oil and guano from
herring. The question most agitated and one
most di fficult to deal with Ia that OF form OF
government There are some who favor full
territorial form of government, but ain not
prepared to say that would be best. The people
are not prepared for 1t, aud the vast extent of
country, the scattered population. with no
means Of communication throughout the couu-
tray, renders such plan inpractcao.e aside
from the fact that there is nothing to tsx III the
country, and the Federal government would be
obliged to support every public institution.
The are only some twenty land titias in the
country aside from mines The products of the
In dustries taken out of the country. So that
there is nothing in Alaska TO support home
government Then the majority OF the natives
have no comprehension whatever of tho forms
OF government and yet they are citizens. And
yet there are many evils under the present form
of government which should be remeiied
The country should have delegate in
congress for ono thing Then there
should be a commission appointed by the
president whose duty should 10 TO investigate
and recommend legislation to congress and TO a
certain extent, with the approval OF the presi-
don't, make temporary regulations IN minor
matters. 1t should also act as q school board
for the territory and a board of heath and sup
eryise all the Federal institutions. Tie mem
bers Of this board. not being Obliged 10 remain
at the seat of government like the executive,
can travel about investigating the different in
situations Of the country and can appear before
congressional committees or the president to
explain the necessity for laws recommended by
them. etc. Educational matters have been
sadly neglected ia Alaska Tor the past two years
The Commissioner of education has not visited a
single school that know of. The ASSISTANT COM
missioner has never been in Alaska, but is &
cle~k In Washington CIV. ana the district CON-
missioner for the southeastern part Of the couu-
try is also United States commissioner. and
thereby prsvente: from moving about There
are only four de jure magistrates Ia the whole
country. | appoint some justices OF the peace,
but as few possible, because their authority
Is very doubtful, and have 20 give them in
struetions to sct seldom ~ possible, and only
when the ra IS a clear case and backed by unaui-
nous public opinion. The mission. ire doing
fairly well They are not accomplishing as
much as enthusiasts believe, but they doing
noye than cspsiops critics are willing to con-
cede."
Hon. Joshua " Wrestling returned from the
East Monday night and WAS busy yesterday
taxing up the threads OF business thss had ac-
cpmuiat2d during his seven weeks absence.
"My tro was made principally for business"
sald Ar Wrestling 70 a PosT-ISrELLIsEsCEg re-
porter, "ent had very pleasant time and at
'enaei several great events, any one OF which
would pay NE for the trip. Isaw the great review
OF veterans IN Washington City. did not have
my uniform 50 couid not march with iny COM
"a e, but sat on camp stool for seven hours
and tseuty-e!ght minutes By my watch W iis
the column passed by. Il was the creates,
parade ever and Washington CITY people
say II VA. greater than any other they have seen
since the great review OF troops at the close o.
Tue waF wss also ST the great Repgb.ie
meeting Fl Cooper Union. New York, st which
=" hi.eAw Reid. Warner Miller and Chanucey
pepew sp0ss and Thomas c. Platt presided
Iae meeting was tbs mos. yenarks-
lie one / have ever atts ended and
there were features about IL / shall never
forget had . hns position on the sand and
hs1 = good opportunity Tor watching tls etse,