The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-02-12
ALASKA sHABBILY TREATED.


Capt. Carroll Says the People There
Are fired Of Lack OF Attention.
Capt James Carroll. of the steamship
Queen, while in Washington City recently
WAS described and interviewed by the
Ereaing Star as follows:
Commander James Carroll. the N aster
of steamship which on its trips between
Puget sound and Alaska has on many oc-
casions received the benisons of congress
siona! lunketing parties on dog-day excur-
sions TO the rocky slopes of Sitka and
Juneau, is reg stored at the Shoreham.
lie Is in Washington City 10 attend the
convention of masters and pilots which
begins its sessions here on Friday. Cant.
Carroll is gentleman whom the meliifiu-
Gus w. Clark Russell would delight to
meet. In the ruddiness of his skin, the
speaking trumpet breadth of his voice,
and the picturesque roll of his gait, he is
perfect specimen OF the sea noveiist's well
known deiineation OF the steamship mas.
ter. Capt. Carroll. who is a welI-educated
man, Is of the opinion that the govern
ment has treated Alaska with extreme
snaboiness ever since that country vas ar
CURED by the United States from Russia.
the people of Alaska" said he are be-
coming exceedingly weary of the lack of
attepton paid by congress 20 their fire.
qaent supplica,lons for territorial gov
eminent for the country, and the 5000
n.fed States citizens living in Alaska are
outspoken In their di.truss OF the absolute
lack OF practical results which has fol-
lowed the solemnly organized jaunts of
congressional committees. As simplc
matter OF fact although the American in
hsoitants oil Alaska are. as class, most
peaceably inclined colony the government
OF this immense block OF American terri
tory Is To all intents and purposes in a
condition OF anarchy pure and simple.
ABOUT Gil of the governmental power of
tue country Is conferred in four commits
sioners, who hold their positions by
appointment. and the major part of
whose functions are not dissimilar
To those of police court justices in
the cities of the United States proper.
The country just floats along and takes
care OF itself, a. far as government is con
cerned. IN a cnrioUsly ramshackie fashion.
Alaska may be able TO patiently brook
this sort OF thing for the present, but it
cannot 20 on for many years. In the face
OF thousand natural obstacles. the re-
sources OF the country are being developed
at rapid rate. aud the discoveries re-
Gently made In AiaSks's interior Did fair
10 make The country eventually rank as
one of the great ce.d-producing regions of
the world The magnet of gold is attract
Ing hundreds of prospectors and miners
from California and elsew where. and it
Will not be long before the estab-
iishment of a territorial government
VIII be an urgent necessity, if the
avoidance of arepeiitIoa of the horrors
and inequalities OF the old California yigi.
lance committees is worthy of considera-
ton. You can't put a lot of mining men.
all OF them locking for the best o. it.' in
sny one spot in North America without,
trouble resulting, and il will require a
thorough governmental organization to
prevent general prevalence oil Crippie
Greek conditions gp there inside OF few
years. Alaska has paid into the United
States treasury IN taxes about ST. eno. 600
since its purchase from Russia, which is
Just 100000 more than the purchase
price, and II Is difficult to understand the
neglect with which IL is treated hy the
general government"