The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-07-19
A NEED OF GOVERNMENT.
Extension of the United States Stat
utes to Alaska.

New York July IA special to the
Tribune from Washington says:
The increasing number of gold seek
ers in the Yukon basin, not only in the
Klondyke region in British Columbia,
but in Alaska also, has impressed Of
ficials of the government in Washing
ington anew with the necessity of re-
inforcing the agencies of the govern
ment in the latter. From Circle City
on the Yukon during the last few
months have come the most urgent ap-
peais and demands to have the mineral
land laws of the United States extended
over the surrounding region and it is
probable that in his first annual speech
to congress Secretary Bliss of the in
terror department will approve the rec
ommendation of Commissioner Heir
mann of the general land office that this
be done and also that a fully equipped
local land office be established at Circle
City.
OF course neither of the things can
be done until authority is given by
congress. Among members of that
body strong indisposition has been
manifested toward the extension of the
powers and agencies of civil govern
ment over Alaska ever since the acqui-
sition of the territory thirty years ago
because of the meager population and
the apparent lack of necessity of such
legislation. In the course of a recent
converse ton with a correspondent on
this subject Represent tive Lacey of
Iowa, who was chairman of the COM
mittee upon public lands in the last
congress, said: Il suppose one reason
that no legislation has been had to re-
move some of the anomalous conditions
which exist in Alaska is because the
committee on territories had it's time
fully occupied on other matters and
that the committee on public lands had
thought it inexpedient to take action in
regard to land legislation there until
after some further legislation respect
ing the government of the territory has
been enacted.
'Our committee, however, did rec
ommend the passage of a bill for the
neau and the house passed il, but the
senate did not act on it. Juneau is a
town of several thousand inhabitants,
some three thousand I believe, and I
am informed that it is a thriving place,
containing number of substantial
brick buildings for business purposes,
and SO on, and that all the improve
mentS stand ON the public lands of the
United States, the owners being simply
squatters. 1 am also informed that
there is no legal authority to levy and
collect taxes or for officials to receive
and diSburse such taxes if collected.
When money is needed for any pub
lie purpose the hat is passed. L have
always been averse to legiSla ton pro-
Viding fuIl-f1edged territorial govern
ment for Alaska with delegate to con-
g-ress, and so on. But conditions there
appear to have been changing rapidly
during the last two or three years, and
it is possible the time has come when
the subject ought to be dealt with by
congress-
1t is not improbable that Major Lacey
will visit Alaska after the adjournment
of congress and try by personal investi-
cation and observation to see what leg
islation in regard TO the public lands in
wise in order to meet existing condi-
tiOnS.