The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-05-13
WAS A GOOD BARGAIN.


Alaska of Russia for seven million dol
lars in 1867 they were plenty of wiseacres
who declared that Uncle Sam was worst
ed in the transaction, and that he
would never see his money back again.
We have now held possession of our far
northern province for a quarter of a
century, and are in a position to deter
mine whether the bargain was or was
not a profitable one for the United
States.
Our Government accounts certainly
show balance on the right side of the
ledger. In the two decades between
1870 and 1890 we drew cash revenue
from Alaska of more than $4,000, 900.
That is, six-sevenths of the purchase
money was returned to us in twenty
years-a larger revenue than the Treas
ury of the Gar derived from Alaska
during the entire 126 years of Russian
occupation. Moreover, we have drawn
from Alaska since 1867 natural products
to the value of $50, 100000, which were
the the fruits of American enterprise and
added so much to the national wealth.
The material progress of the province in
this period is WILDLY sketched by a
writer in the Northampton Rerielc,
and contrasted with the meagre results
achieved under Russian domination:
1--WE have inaugurated the industries of
cod fishing, whaling, salmon canning and
gold mining, and to day the native pOpu-
lation, whose number Russia never as
certained, but who certainly have not
increased, consume in one year more
flour and soap than they did in half a
century under the: Russian regime.
Russia left the people of Alaska to the
iron rule of trading monopoly invested
with judicial powers, while the courts of
appeal were so far away that they were
out of reach of anybody but the all
powerful company. This company
could fog the people or transport them
at will, but could not settle the smallest
account without reference to the Home
Office, involving years of delay. We
have given the people liberty of action
and freedom of movement, and we have
established at least one court of final re-
sort in the country. The Russian Com
pany maintained schools only for train
ing its own employees and their offspring,
who were obliged to render not less than
fifteen years service in return. We have
established free schools at all points
where they are wanted, and in some
places where they are not wanted. In
stead of the dormant missions of the
Russian Orthodox Church, which dotted
a narrow fringe of Coast lands, we have
now, in addition, the stations and schools
of seven denominations scattered broad
cast over Alaska. Russia jealousy barred
out all visitors from her shores. We
have opened the more accessible part OF
the country to thousands of tourists, who
view from the deck of palatial steam.
ers the grandest scenery on the con
tinent.
Russia, or, rather, the Russian
American Company, conducted costly
explorations for minerals and officially
proclaimed that no precious metals ex
listed in paying quantities. Our pros
pectors, unaided, have searched, anC
continue to search, every valley anC
gulch in Alaska, and, as result of thei
labors and ventures, Alaska now boast
of the largest quartz mill in the world
and has become an exporter of bullion
On the shores of the inside channels
which the Russians twenty-five years ag
dared not navigate without an armet
guard, shotted guns and boarding net
tings, we are met to-day by the busy hun
of thriving mining towns, with sidewalk
ed streets, enlivered by rumble of wheel
and clatter of hoofs, with hotels an,
boarding houses, large stores steam
laundries, saloons and churches, steam
ferries putting from shore to shore, tn
muffled roar of blasts and the glare o
electric lights"
And all this accomplished in qnarte
of century, most of it with ten years
1t certainly is record of achievement
which Americans may take just pride in
1t is doubtful if Seward and Summer, il
their most sanguine moments, eve
imagined that the great new territor.
which they were chiefly instrumental il
acquiring would within so short tim
become so valuable a portion of on
National domain. The purchase o
Alaska will always be regarded as one o
the brilliant strokes of craftsmanship o
the eventful period which immediatel
succeeded the war.-BOstOn journal.