Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-12-02
Alaska.

Alaska, is of especial interest ut this time
when we know that the greedy eyes of
England are turned that way looking for
an opportunity to seize portion Of the
territory and share in its wealth. 1t is
pretty generally understood that the
resources Of Alaska are many but definit
information concerning them, such as
may be reliable, aud that contained in the
report of the governor of the territory to
the secretary of the interior may be pre-
sumed to be such, will doubtless be of
interest.
Governor Shcakley says he is convinced
that unless the regulations Of the Paris
arbitration are radically changed the seals
are doomed to extinction. This opinion
will probably find wide acceptance. But
people in the states would like to know
what he said about the boundary ques-
ton, tho value of the mining properties
which the English are endeavoring to
gohble by changing the line what force
may be needed to maintain law and order
in that section without the assistance of
the red coated Canadian soldicry.
Whether Gov. Sheakley really knows any
| thing about these important matters we
are left to surmise. Whether he said any
thing abont them in his report to the
secretary we are also left to infer 1t
;,, a1nI tLot Lo Ill
mention of some of the most important
matters with which the territory is con
ccrned.
However, he tells us that it is not gold
that is the only source of wealth in that
territory. More than a hundred species
of food fishes swarm in the rivers and in
the sea. The salmon alone, taken and
prepared for the market by canning or
otherwise, gives an annual return of
So, 600, 600 There are twenty five salmon
canncries in operation in Alaska, repre-
senting a capital Of over IS 000 600.
About $4,000 is paid yearly to the ma
tives of Alaska for labor and fish.
The amount of gold produced from the
mines OF this territory during the past
year has done much to confirm the
opinion that Alaska is profitable and
will be a permanent mining country.
Capitalists of experience in the business
of mining gold from other fields have
visited 1t and have become Interested In.
It's development.
In the Harris mining district at
Juneau, the Treadwell and Mexican have
exceeded their product of last year, and
the mines in the Silver Bow Basin, at
Sheep Greek, Sum -du, Unga, and Berners
bay have made profitable returns.
The Sitka mining district, on Baranoff
Island, contains large deposits of gold
bearing quartz rock, on which number
of mining claims have been located and
development work commenced. This
will in the near future be an active min
ing camp.
The valley Of the Yukon river covering
q distance of 500 miles, is without doubt
the most extensive field of placer mines
discovered since the finding Of gold in
California. The great obstacles to sue
cessful mining in this district are the
shortness of the season for actual work
and the perpetually frozen ground. The
earth requires to be thawed with fire
before 1t can be worked. Notwitnstand-
ing these unfavorablc conditions, the
long, cold winters, and the long distance
from the base of supplies, the Yukon
country is destined to be prolific gold
producing district. The Yukon mines
being 1000 miles from the organized
courts of the territory, need the establish
ment of a judicial district.
The government schools throughout the
territory were well conducted during the
past year. The school buildings are all
in good repair having modern school
furniture. stoves, fuel, and all that is
suitable and comfortable for the people
that attend Competent and experienced
teachers are employed, and the advance
ment made by the native children in de-
pertinent, dress, cleanliness, and civilized
manners was marked and greater than in
any former year The organic act Great
ing the District Of Alaska requires that
| the secretary of the interior shall make
needful and proper provision for the edu-
cation OF children in Alaska but this it
| is impossible 10 do without an increased
appropriation. Ten different denomina
lions are represented in Alaska BY minis.
tiers and teachers. In summing IN the
work of the various missions and govern
sri NJ,