The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-11-19

Washington. Nov. 1S.-James Sneak
eley, governor of Alaska, has submit
ted his annual report to the secretary
of the interior OF the general conditions
of the territory. He says:
Notwithstanding the unfavorable eli
matte conditions of the spring and
early summer months, many new en-
terprises were entered upon and old
ones completed. The fisheries have
been useful and the mines have yield
ed profitable returns, the population
has been largely augmented by immi-
grafton and the people have enjoyed a
season of progress and prosperity.
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 trans
portation and other facilities indispen-
Slble for the execution of law, crime
lis less frequent and law and order
quite as well enforced as in some OF
THE more densely populated anu high
~ civilized communities. The building
of saw mills and the manufacturing
of lumber in the territory have reVolu-
tionized and improved the manner OF
constructing habitations in all of the
villages.
liE lGdulllS lIdIl III lI6 Ol
Alaska nature is imitativeness; being
possessed OF considerable mechanical
skill and willing to work, they pur-
chase the lumber and erect modern
houses. Some of them are built in an
original style of architecture and
painted in colors of barbaric state, but
are comfortable to live in and indicate
the progress they have made toward
civilization.
The Impress of the missionary is viSi-
BILE in all parts Of southeastern Alaska
and they deserve the commentator OF
all for the good they have accom-
plisi;ed
He estimates the population at about
$4,000. The Siberian reindeer expert
ment, ne thinks, will prove successful
Good progress is made in education.
Considerable trouble has been expert
enced in preventing the sale of intoXi-
eating liquors. He says that Alaska
has 1000 miles of sea coast and 5000
miles of shore line and the revenue
officers have serious difficulty in pre-
venting smuggling.
The patrol of Boring sea has not pre-
vented poaching. The governor says:
'Lieutenant-Comma Drake, L.
s. N, in command of the United States
ship Albatross, who came into the port
of Sitka September 81. ten days from
the seal islands, reports that forty yes
sells were in Boring sea hunting fur
seal during the months of August and
September and that they had taken on
an average !, 200 skins each, 70 per cent
of which were females. He also stated
that but u per cent. of the vessels
were Americans, the others being most
L British.
1T is obvious that if this destruc
tive maraudiDg is allowed to continue
it Will be but a few years until the
seal roOkeries of Alaska will be en-
tireiy deserted. and the business of oul
fur sealing will have passed into his
tory. The North American CONNER
cial company, lessees of the Seal is
lands in Alaska. have complied with
the conditions of the lease and the ma
lives have no cause for complaint
Alaska, Governor Sheakley says, i:
a great fishing country. While tht
fur seal and the otter and other val
liable sea animals have been decreas
ing. food fishes are ineXhaustible, cod
fish salmon q hahbut being tn,
most important, but there are nearly
hundred other bids.
More government buildings are nee
essarv for the accommodation of pub
lie business. Mining is elevatIng il
Alaska and promises to be a perma
nent industry. Some veins of ricl
gold-bearing quartz have been dis
covered during the two years past, blu
most of the mines which were frs
worked TO successful development il
Alaska were mainly of the low grad
ores which are found in lodes of eX
tensiye dimensions
The Alaska Treadwell Gold Minini
company in one year made net profit
of S444 900. This is the biggest quart
mill in America, it having 240 stamps