The San Francisco call., 1897-12-07

!
recommendation OF the Secretary of the Navy
for an appropriation authorizing the construc-
lion of one battle-ship tor the Pacific Coast,
where at present there is only one II commits
sion and rne urder construction, while on
the Atlantic Coast there are three in commits
sion and four under construction and also that
several tOrDedo-boats be au .Eor.zed in connec-
ton with our general system Of coast defense.
The Territory Of Alaska requires The prompt
and early attention OF Congress. TIE condi-
lions now existing demand material changes
In the laws relating the Territory. The
great influx Of population during the past
summer and fall, snd The prospect of a stlL
larger immigration in the spring w!ll not per-
init Us longer to neglect the extension OF civil
authority within the Territory or postpone the
establishment Of more thorough govern
meat
A general system
Help if Help Is Needed of public surveys
Tor Alaska Miners. has yet been ex-
tended TO Alaska
and all entries thus far made in that district
are upon special surveys. The act of Congress
extending 10 Alaska the mining laws OF the
United States contained the reservation that
il should not be construed TO put in force the
general land laws OF the country. BY an act
approved March 5, 1891, authority was given
for entry OF lands for townsite purposes, and
also for the purchase OF not exceeding 160
acres then thereafter occupied for purposes
OF trade and manufacture. The purpose of
Congress as thus fer expressed has been that
only such rights should apply to the Territory
rs should be specifically named
II viii be seen how much remains to be done
for that vast and remote and yet promising
portion of our country. Special authority
was given TO the President by the act of Con
gress approved July "a, 1897, to divide that
Territory into two land districts and TO desig-
nate the boundaries thereof and TO appoint
registers and surveyors of said land Offices end
the President was also authorized TO appoint
q Surveyor-General for the entire district
Pursuant TO this authority, q Surveyor General
and Receiver have been appointed, with offices
at Sitka. II in the ensuing year the condl-
tions justify it, the additional land distric t
authorized b. law Will be established, with an
office at some point in the Yukon Valley. No
appropriation, however, made for this
purpose, and that is Il ow necessary to be done
1or the two land districts into which the Ter
Titory is to be divided.
concur with the Secretary of War in his
suggestions IS TO the necessity for a military
force in the Territory OF Alaska for the protec-
tton of persons and property. Already aIsmalI
force, consisting of twenty-five men with
two officers, under command of Lieutenant
Colonel Randall of the Eighth Infantry, has
been sent TO St. Michael 10 establish mill
tary post.
As it is TO the interest OF the Government to
encourage the development and settlement of
the country and its duty to follow up its cfti-
zeus there with the beaefts of legal machin-
cry, l earnestly urge upon Congress the
establishment OF a system of government OF
such hexibility Will enable il 10 adjust IL
self to the future areas OF greatest population.
The startling, though possibly exaggerated
reports from The Yukon River country, OF the
probable shortage OF food Tor the large num-
Der OF people who are wintering there
without the means of leaving the country,
are confirmed in such measure as to justify
bringing the matter 10 the attention of Con-
gress. Access to that country this winter can
be had only by the passes from Dyes and
vicinity, which is a most difficult and perhaps
an impossible task. However, should these
reports OF the suffering OF our fellow citizens
be further verified. every effort at any cost
should be made to carry them relief
For a number OF
Take Citizens of the years past it has
Civilized Indians. been apparent tina!
the conditions un-
der which the five civilized tribes were
established in the Indian Territory un-
der treaty provisions with the United
States, with the right of self-government. and
the exclusion of al white persons from within
their borders, have undergone so complete a
Change as 10 render the continuance OF the
system thus inaugurated practically impos 81.
be. The total number of the i've civilized
tribes, as shown by the last census, Is 40 494
and this number has not materially increase
while the white population is estimated al
from 100000 TO $50 600, which, by permis.
sion OF the Indian Government, mas settled in
the Terri DRY. The present area OF the Indian
Territory contains %, ,694, ,564 acres, much o.
which is very fertile land The U.ited States
citizens residing in the Territory, most OF
whom have gone there bv invitation or with
the consent of the tribal authorities have
made permanent homes for themselves
Numerous towns have been built, In which
from 500 TO 5000 white people now reside
Valuable residences and business houses have
been erected in many OF them Large bust
ness enterprises are carried on, in which vas
sums OF money are employed, and yet these
people VINO have invested their capital in the
development OF the productive resources o.
the country are without the title 10 the land
they occupy and hsve no voice whatever in
the COVE rnment either Of the nations or tribes
Thousands of their children, who were born
in the Territory, are of scnooI age but the
doors Of the schools of the nations are shu
against them and what education they get IL
by private contribution. No provision or the
protection of the life or property of these
white citizens is made by the tribal govern
ments and courts.
The Secre tary of the Interior reports tina
leading Indians have absorbed great tracts o.
land to the exclusion of the common people
and government by an Indian aristocracy has
been practically established, TO the detrimen
OF the people. 1t has been found i'm possible
for the United States TO keep its citizens ou
Of the Territory, and the executory conditions
con tanned in treaties with these nations ave
for the most part become impossible of execu
tion had it been possible for the tribal govern
ment to secure each individual Indian his full
enjoyment in common with other Indians o
the common properly of the nations. Friend!
OF the Indians have long believed that the
best interests of the Indians OF the five civil
lied tribes would be found in American
citizenship, with al the rights and privilege
which belong TO that condition.
BY section 16 OF the act of March 3. 1898
the President was authorized 10 appoint three
commissioners TO enter into negotiations with