The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-11-19

tie people b.vs enjoyed season of pro-
grsss and prosperity. The civil officers
have BEEN vlzslsni and faithful in the dis
charge OF their duties. aud IN view
OF the extent of the territory over
which they exercise authority and the ab-
sence of transportation and ether facilities
Indispensable for the execution o. law.
crime - less frequent and law and order
quite az veil enforced as in some Of rhe
more denseiy populated and highly civil
lied communities. The building OF saw
mills and the manufacturing OF iamner in
the territory have revoluflonixed snd Inn
proved the manner Of constructing habifa-
tons in ail Of the villages The leading
trait ia the character Of the Alaska
natives - rmitatIveness- Being possessed
OF considerable mech anicat skill and Will
ing TO woES, they purchase igDoer and
erect modern houses. Some o: them are
halls in an original style 81 architecture
aud painted IN coiors of hzrbartc taste, but
are comfortable 10 live in. and Indicate the
progress the natives have made toward
eivsilxssioB. The impress Of the mission
aries Is visible in 81 parts Of Southeastern
Alaska. and they deserve the commenda-
iion of ali for the good they have accom-
piishsd.
The governor estimates the population
at about g, 600. The Siberian reindeer ex-
pertinent ne thinks viii prove successful
Good progress is Hsde IN education Con-
siderable trouble has been experienced IN
preventing the sale of Intoxicating liquors.
Alaska has 1 90 miles Of sea coast and
300 miles of shore line. and the revenue
officers have serious difficulty II prevent
ing smuggling.
The patrol OF Bering sea has not pre-
vented poaching- The governor says:
Lieut. Commander Drake, L.. :. N, in
command OF the United States steamer
Albaiross, who came into the port Of citka
September p, ten days from the seal
island reported that forty vessels were in
Bsring sea hunting fur seals during the
months of August and Septern Der, and
that they had taken on an average OF 1000
skins each, " PER cent of which we're
females. He also stated that but IL per
cent of the vessels were American. tho
others being mostly British. IL is obvious
that If this destructive marand4nS Is
allowed to continue, IL viii be but very
few years until the seal rookeries of Alaska
will be entirely deserted and the business
of fur sealing will have passed into
history"
The North American Commercial
Company, lessees of the seal islands in
Alaska, have complied with the conditions
OF the lease. and the natives have no cause
for complaint.
Alaska. Gov. Sheakley says. is great
fishing country. While the fur seal and
the otter and other valuable sea animals
have been decreasing, the food fishes are
inexhaustible. Goldfish, salmon and halibut
being the most important. but there are
nearly 100 of other kinds. More govern
ment buildings are necessary for the &C.
commodation of public business.
Mining is increasing in Alaska, and
promises TO be a permanent industry.
Some veins OF rich gold-bearipg quartz
have been discovered during the two years
past. but most Of the mines which were
first worked 10 successful development in
Alaska were mainly OF the low-grade ores.
which are found in iodes OF extensive
dimensions. The Alaska Treadweil Gold
Mining Company in one year made net
profits of siii. 900. Theirs is the biggest
quartz mill in America, it having 24o
stamps.