The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-28
John G. Brady Arrives From
sitka on Steamer Topeka.
CHANGES NEEDED m THE LAWS.


Gov. Jshs @. Brady. Of Alaska, was .
passenger from sitka on the steamer City
of Topeka, which arrived yesterday MORN
ing from the north. He is In the city on
private business. and viii return by an
early steamer. The report that he was on
hts way TO Washington City to be present
at the opening OF the special session Of con-
sress has no foundation. 1t is true that
he Ia interested with other weIl-known
Aiaskans la the Introduction of recon-
-aendation looking TO the establishment OF
q commission which shall visit Alaska and
frame nsx laws for it's government The
necessity Of new form OF government in
Alaska, and Ideas as to the most necessary
changes. we're the subject OF an interview
accorded by the governor last night to
I'osf-Inteiifgencer reporter.
THE business men and officials Of Alaska
are concerned In efrectlng some change or
application of the laws as they are at
present In force" he said They will
combine to submit to congress a propo-
sition to authorize the appointment of
commission which can consider on the
ground the needs of Alaska Ny idea Is
that the commission should consist OF
senator representative and three bona
nde Alaskans. II we are able TO get the
commission. something may be accom-
niished for the practical good Of Alaska;
otherwise the tine devoted by congress TO
Alaska will be FILTERED away in the con-
attnr, ~ i,.4;xiduaf hills NJ
no benefit 10 the country as a whole. This
man Will want a right-of-way: that one
certain other privileges. Each one will be
iobhied and pushed. 10 the exclusion of
more general measures, with the result
that Alaska will stand where she has for
the last thirty years. The work of con-
gress viii be fruiiless. and the simple laws
We need will remain unenacted.
An Apt illustration.
MANY think Alaska should have terri
tor.ai form of government. The object
tions to that plan are manifold. The chief
thing against It Is the sparse population.
and this condition will not be materially
changed by the present rush to the mines,
as most of the ineomers are bound for the
Klondike. In British territory; and even if
their destination Is a point on American
soil, there are not two In a hundred who
go into the country expecting to make 1T
their permanent home. A territory can
not be built up on nothing. 1t is as though
such as wish a territorial form OF govern
ment were asked
Johnny. what are you doing?'
g Catching moles. mother.
" How many have you caught. Johnny?'
a When l get this one and catch two
others. I'll have three
Alaska will have to get this one and
catch two others before she will have
population large enough to support Itself
az a territory. territory means taxation.
The people are not there to be taxed. We
should have 10 run schools and pay all our
expenses. Consider the immense distances
10 be traversed and the cost of schools.
courts and officials. The stable population
OF Alaska is not more than i0osn whites.
The kiondike rush has not added 20 the
population: on the contrary. II has had
depopglating effect. The rush has not only
carried people from 1ne states through
Alaska into Northwest territory. but IL has
taken alassans into Northwest territory.
As governor | receive hundreds of letters
seeking information regarding the coun-
Try. ! nave noted that many of these let
ters show an interest in the Copper river
and Cook inlet districts. showing that an
increasing number Of people are row turn
ing their eyes In that dire etiQn. because
they believe Ia It's mineral wealth arb be-
cause 1t is on American soil. We antici-
pate q great rush there, bat Ii viii he
transient addition 10 the population of the
country.
What Alaska Wants.
at VIII be OF little avail to submit 10 con-
greSa accommodations fer changes I'm the
code now In existence These things mus.
be investigated by commission which can
visit Alaska and ascertain the needs Of the
people from actual Investigation We want
an extension Of the lands laws the status
~ natives declared regulation az the
fish Industry; the RICH; Of appeal; laws for
the PR servstien os game
a purchaser can now get no n5le 20
property, The only decd Is a quit claim
He'll get off and you get on We have
heen living in this WAY for thirty years
The mining laws az the United States have