The morning call., 1893-09-17
LOSS OF A STAR.
1t Might Have Shone in
COIumbia's Diadem.
GEORGE DAVIDsON'S REPORT.
Seward and Sumner Urged to Secure
the Northwest Province, but
Became Timid.

The possession of British Columbia by
the United States is subject that has
been revived of late. aud leading news
papers OF the country are continually re-
ferring to it, But for hesitating policy
this land of manifold resources would have
heen brought under Columbia's mantle in
the COS, and to-day the stars and stripes
would wave over that rich domain.
THE CALL several weeks ago published
an article written by Horace F. Cutter
showing how in his opinion the province
could be secured, and at the same time
there appeared in the columns of this
newspaper the text of a bill which Mr..
Cutter believed would. if passed, secure
the land. This led to a discussion of the
question throughout the land. The uni.
versal opinion is that the province should,
because of geographical position, become
a territory of this nation. later to be ad-
mitted to sisterhood, The question is how
to secure it.
None is more interested in this subject
than Professor Davidson. long connected
with the Coast and Geodetic Survey and
chief of the same on this coast. He is veter-
an in this service and his knowledge of the
land in the northwest is based on practical
experience. In 1866 the Alaskan purchase
was debated vigorously in Congress, and
the House refused to appro pirate any
money. claiming that the Senate had no
right to originate a bill that called for eX-
penditure. Early the following year Pro-
fessor Davidson was sent at the head of
an exploring party as a special commits
soner to carefully examine the new land
and report thereon. This report it was
wOn10 no Of
many Congressman and the surmise was
correct.
While in the Northwest the professor
also visited British Columbia. and al
though he made no public report regarding
that domain he made one in private to
Secretary Of State Seward and TO Senator
Sumner. This informal talk was never
related in detail, but il induced Sumner TO
move for the acquisition of the territory.
The cause had many friends, but they be-
came timid. The opposition in tie House
to the Alaskan purchase caused them to
defer the plan and the opposition was lost.
For Professor Davidson reported that
British Columbia could be had for the ask
ing, that every man, woman and child
there was anxious for annexation. The
cause, he explained, was found in the land
question. The Canadian Government
charged 81 for each acre of land. The
British COlumbiaDs saw thousands of
Americans to the south of them securing
hOmesteads practically free of charge and
they wanted to join Us and be able to do
likewise.
Yes" said Professor Davidson yester-
day to a reporter, 1--WE had the opportunity
then to secure British Columbia and let it
slip through our fingers. Senator Sumner
had many conferences with me on the
subject and he was an earnest advocate of
the plan. l never saw people more enthu-
slastlc over the subject of annexation than
WeTe-theSe Gwellers in the Northwest"
tsIed.
! There is only a small per cent of it
existing" he replied. "The land question
does not touch The people as it did in the
eos, and then Canada's great bribe is
working we'll in the province"
"What bribe?"
"Why, the Canadian Pacific Railway
with a terminus in the province. That
was a distinct bribe TO the people there
and has worked to charm"
Then you do not think the territory
can be secured? ?"
mo, not at present. England would
hardly part with the land considering its
present improvements, its coaling station
and docks at Esquimalt. ] fear British
Columbia is lost to us for the time being.
and we might have had it for the asking.
we should be the masters of this great
Pacific Ocean. Time and again we have
had the opportunities and have rejected
them. 10 the north as far as vegetation
grows the stars and stripes should float.
and many Of the islands in the Pacific
should be ours In the sos we were offered
the Hawaiian group, and again they beg
US for admission. The Navy Department
recently published a map showing in COL
ors the different possessions of the islands
of the Pacific. Only Samoa and Hawaii
were shown on the map in black, which
told that they were not territories of any
great power. But in red, yellow and blue
shone out TIE possessions of France, Eng
land and Germany, small group of
islands near Hawaii even being pain ted
the brighter tint. No color was needed To
represent the possessions of the United
States in these waters for we have none
But to return to British Columbia. II
Will probably be ours some day, and |
hope l will live to see the time when it
comes under the stars and stripes"
The province of British Columbia has
an area Of 100000, 900 acres. Its ocean
frontage is $50 miles long and its total
shore line, including Vancouver and other
islands. is 7161 statute miles. The climate
Is similar TO that of England. and this is
often remarked by visitors from the old
country TO the new. British Columbia
possesses greater variety of resources
than can be claimed by any other province
in the Dominion nf Canada, and with not
thousandth part of its resources devel-
oped returns the third largest revenue to
the treasury OF any province In the Domin-
ion.
The population is about 10000 There
Is total Of III miles of railroad in opera
tlon, with 1450 under construction or pro-
lecteo: Inc revenue for 1892 was 81 ,809-
o5o. The output of lumber in 1891 was
valued at 1897. .287; the canneries
turned out 3o4978 cases in the same
time, valued az S1,218,9l2, and the value of
the coal output was S4,039.023, to mine
which 1894 men were emnloved The
value of other minerals during 1891 (cbiefiy
gold and silver vas S43O 600, and the esti-
mated value ef agricultural products for
1892 was 100000. In 1891 slxty.three YES
sells were engaged in the sealing Industry.