Mexico weekly ledger., 1897-12-09
ALASKA TERRITORY.
Prompt and Early Attention of Congress
Required.

Prompt and Early Attention of Congress.
Required.
The territory OF Alaska requires the prompt
and early attention OF congress. The conditions
now existing demand material changes in the
laws relating to the territory. The great influx
OF population during the past summer and fall
and the prospect of still larger immigration In
the spring, will not permit US to longer neg ect
the extension of civfl authority within the ter
ritory or postpone the establishment OF a more
thorough government
Public Surveys Not Yet Made.
A general system Of public surveys has not
yet been extended to Alaska, and all entries
thus Ia made In that district are on special
Alaska the mining laws of the United States
contained the reservation that it should not be
construed to put IN force the general & land laws law
authority was given for entry OF lands for
townsitG purposes and also for the purchase OF
then or thereafter occupied for purposes OF
trade and manufacture. The purpose of con-
gress. as thus far expressed. has been that only
such rights should apply to that territory as
should be specifically named
Much Remains to he Done.
Il will be seen how much remains to be done
for that vast and remote and yet promising por-
tioa Of our country. Special authority was
given to the president by the act OF congress
approved July "a. 1897. to divide that territory
into two land districts, and to designate the
boundaries thereof. and to appoint registrars and
surveyors OF said land ofIioes. and the president
was also authorized to appoint o surveyor gen.
cral IOE Inc eQLlr6 ulStrlct pursuant 10 tnlS
authority. o surveyor-general and receiver have
been appointed with oflces at Sitka-- II in the
ensuing year the conditions justify 1t the addi-
Honal land district authorized by Law Will be
established. with an ONCE at some point In the
Yukon valley No appropriation, however, was
made Tor this purpose, and that is now neees.
sary to be done for the two land districts into
which the territory Is TO be divided.
Military Force for the Territory.
concur with the secretary Of war In his sug-
gestions as to the necessity for q military force
in the territory Of Alaska for the protection OF
persons and property. Already a small force,
consisting Of 25 men with two officers, under
command OF Lieut-Col Randall of the Eighth
infantry, has been sent to St Michaels to es-
tablish o military post.
Legal Machinery Required.
As 1t is to the interest of the government to
encourage the development and settlement of
the country and its duty to follow up its citi-
chinery, 1 earnestly urge upon congress the
establishment Of q system of government OF
such fextbiiity as will enable it to adjust Itself
to the future areas OF greater population.
Relief Measures May be Necessary.
The startling, though possibly exaggerated
reports from the Yukon river country OF the
probable shortage Of food for the large number
OF people who are wintering there without the
means OF leaving the country are confirmed in
such measures rs to justify bringing the mat
ter to the attention Of congress. Access to the
territory in winter can be had only by the
passes from Dyea and vicinity, which is most
difficult and perhaps an impossible task. How
ever should these reports Of the suffering OF
our fellow-citiZens be further verified every ef-
fort at any cost should be made to carry them
relief.