Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-12
and the scenery in the Rocky mountains
is beyond description"

ana the scenery in the Rocky mountains
is beyond description"
Needs of Alaska.
I asked the Vice President II he had
formed any idea of the political future of
Alaska during his stay there.
Alaska Is only a district now" he said
THAT Is all it has been since we purchased
it from Russia. That purchase, by the
way, was piece of craftsmanship. Alaska
has great mineral wealth. But, aside from
that, 1t was better that we should own this
great tract of land on our continent than
have another ration own it. Alaska, you
know, is one-fcurth the size of all the rest
long time before Alaska can become a
state. That will depend on the increase
in population, and as the country has but
little territory suitable for cultivation that
Is not likely to be very rapid. But Alaska
needs just now better land laws and better
mining laws, and I believe the people
should have a delegate in Congress who
would voice their wishes. Congress, l be-
Ieve, should establish territorial form of
government in Alaska. The laws of Ore
gon I ow govern Alaska, in so far as they
are applicable. That leaves a wide range
for Interpretation of what may be and
what may not be applicable to the dis
trict"
1 asked the Vice President If he had had
an opportunity during his stay in Canada
to gauge public sentiment on the question
of annexation.
Il had little opportunity to meet Cana
dian people or to form a judgment on that
question" he replied. There is undoubt-
edly some annexation sentiment in Canada,
but l think most of the people in Canada
have no desire for it, and believe it is
long way off,"
Mr.. Stevenson said that with the exception
of "trip to Chickamauga Park. which he
was about to take, and few days which
he had promised to spend in Atlanta, he
expected to remain in Bloomington until
the meeting OF Congress His family will
return with him to Washington. but wheth-
er he will take house or live at hotel is
something he has not determined yet. His
sen, who was his private secretary during
last Congress- will return to Washington
in that capacity. He was appointed an as
sistant paymaster in the army, but the i'll
health of his wife led him to decline the
commission. and he has determined to re-
turn to Washington. Mr.. Stevenson will
take the gavel on the first Monday in De-
cember, much invigorated by his restful
summer. He was not in good health when
he left Washington last March.
1 asked the Vice President If he found
his official duties congenial.
Il do" he replied. My relations with
the members of the Senate on both sides of
the chamber have been most agreeable.
have never seen the disposition on the
part of either democrats or republicans to
obStrIct the work of the presiding officer.
and the resolutions which have been passed
unanimously at the close of each session of
Congress have been very grateful to me. l
am GLAD to say that no decision of mine has
ever been reversed by the Senate
Discussing the condition of politics in
Illinois, Missouri, Ohio and other western
states, the Vice President said that he had
led such 4 retired life during the past eight
months he was not in touch with the polt
ical situation. He did not believe that Mis-
souri, would elect republican governor. be-
cause Missouri was a democratic state, but
he did not express an opinion about Ohio in
1893. He feels confident, however. that Illi-
ncis will be found in the democratic column
in 1896. He said that he had no expectation
of taking part in the campaign this year.
Last year he made speeches in New York
for Senator Hill, in Illinois and in Missouri.
The Vice President leads quiet, unevent-
full life. free from any cares except those
which concern the health and happiness of
his family. He shows in the healthy color
of his cheeks the benefit of his quiet sum-
mer. He is prepared, physically, for long
congressional siege, and one which, from
present Indications, seems likely to be.
hard one.
GEORGE GRANTHAM Balm