Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-19
STAR MONDAY,
GROW TIL OF ALASKA
Progress of Civilization and Finer Art,
Among Natives.
The Difficulty in Guarding the Coast
Ltne-Fur Seals and the Danger
of determination.

Gov. James Sheakley of Alaska has
transmitted his annual report to the Sec
rotary OF the Interior. He says that not
Withstanding the unfavorable climatic con-
ditions Of the spring and early summer
months many new enterprises were en-
tered upon ana old ones completed.
The fisheries have been successful, the
mines have yielded profitable returns. the
population has been largely augmented by
immigration. and the people have enjoyed
a season of unusual progress and prosper
ity
The civil officers have been vigilant and
faithful in the discharge of their duties,
and in view OF the extent Of the territory
over which they exercise authority. and
the absence OF transportation and other
facilities indispensable for the execution
OF the law, crime is less frequent and law
and order quite as well enforced as in
some Of the more densely populated and
highly civilized communities.
The building OF saw mills and the man
ufacturing OF lumber in the territory has
revolutionized and improved the manner
of constructing habitations in all OF the VII
lagos. '-a,sa@ AZ
THE leading trait in the character of
the Alaska native is imitativeness, and
being possessed OF considerable mechanical
skill, and willing to work, they purchase
lumber and erect modern houses. Some
OF them are built in an original style OF
architecture and painted in colors of bar
barrie taste, but are comfortable to live In
and indicate the progress they have made
toward civilization. They have also much
improved in the way OF preparing food and
clothing. The impress OF the missionary
is visible in all parts OF southeastern Alas
ka, and they deserve the commentator
of all the good they have accomplished
among these native people"
He estimates the population at about
$1,000. The Siberian reindeer experiment,
he thinks, will prove successful. Good pro-
gress is made in education.
- Considerable trouble has been expert
enced in preventing the sale Of tntoxtcat-
ing liquors. He says that Alaska has 4,OOO
miles OF seacoast and 2O,OOO miles Of shore
line. and the revenue officers have serious
difficulty in preventing smuggling.
The patrol of Boring sea has not pre-
vented poaching. The governor says:
Lieut.. Commander Drake United States
navy, in command Of the u. S. s. Alba
tross, which came into the port of Sitka
September ~, ten days from the Seal Is
lands, reports that forty vessels were in
months of August and September, and
that they had taken on an average 1000
skins EACH " per cent of which were fe-
males He also stated that but II per cent
Of these vessels were American, the others
being mostly British.
TT is obvious that IL this destructive
marauding Is allowed to continue 1t Will
be but a few years until the seal rocker
the business of fur sealing will have pass
ed into history. The North American Com
mercial Company, lessees Of the Seal Is
lands in Alaska, have complied with the
conditions of the lease, and the natives
have no cause for complaint"
Alaska, Gov. Sheakley says, Is q great
fishing country, while the fur seal. sea OF
ter and other valuable sea animals have
been decreasing, but food fishes are incx-
haustible. Goldfish, salmon and halibut are
the most important but there are nearly
one hundred other kinds.
More government buildings are neces-
sary for the accommodation Of public bust
ness.
Mining is developing in Alaska, and
promises to he an important industry.
Some veins of rich gold-bearing quartz
have been discovered within two years.
past; but most of the mines which ere
first worked to successful development In
Alaska were mainly low grade ores. which
are found in lodes of extensive dimensions.
The Alaska Treadwell Gold Mining Com
pany in one year, made net profits of
S444,CO0. This is the largest quartz mill
in America, it having 240 stamps.