Omaha daily bee., 1897-12-07
ALASKA IN NEED or ATTENTION.
Some More Comprehensive system of
GONCrnmcnl DcmnnlcN.

'"'"s NoTt SSstem
Government Demanded.
The territory of Alaska requires the prompt
and early attentlOa of congress. The Condi-
tions now existing demand material changes
in the laws relating to the territory The
great influx of population during the cast
summer and fall and the prospect of still
larger immigration in the soring will not
permit us to longer ueglect the extension of
civil authority within the territory or postpone
the establishment of more thorough gov
ernment
A general system of public surveys has not
yet been extended to Alaska aud all entries
thus far made in that district are upon
special surveys. The act OF congress extend
ing to Alaska the mining laws of the Uuitcd
States contained the reservation that it should
not be construed to put in force the general
land laws of the country. BY act a. proved
March g. 1891. authority was given for entry
of lands for townslte purposes and also for
the purchase of not exceeding 100 acres then
or thereafter occupied for purposes Of trade
and manufacture. The purpose of congress-
as thus far expressed has been that Cnlv
such rights should apply to the territory IS
shall be specifically named.
Ii will be seen how much remains to be
done for that vast and remote AMI yet prom s.
ing portion of our country. Special authority
was given to the president by the act of con-
gress approved July "a, 1897. to divide TINT
territory into two land districts and to
designate the boundaries thereof and to ap-
point registers and receivers of said land
offices and the president was also authorized
to .ppont a surveyor general for the entire
district. Pursuant to this authority, a
surveyor general and receiver have been
appointed with Offices at Sitl1a. If III the en-
suing year the conditions Justify it, the ad-
ditional land district authorized by law will
be established, with an Office at some point
in the Yukon valley. No appropriation, how
ever, was made for this purpose, and that is
now necessary to be done for the two land
districts into which the territory is to be
divided.
/ conucur with the secretary OF war in his
suggestions as to the necessity for military
force in the territory of Alaska for the
projection of persons and property Already
small force consisting OF twenty-five men
with two officers, under command of Lieuten-
ant Colonel Randall Of the Eighth infantry.
has been sent to ST. Michael to establish
military 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 citizens there with the
benefits of legal machinery, | earnestly urge
upon congress the establishment OF a system
of government of such lexibility as will
able it to adjust itself to the future areas OF
greatest population.
The startling though possibly exaggerated
reports from the Yukon river country Of the
probable shortage of food for the large num-
ber of people who are wintering there with
out the means Of leaving the country are
confirmed in such measure as to Justify
bringing the matter to the attention Of
gress. Access to that country this winter
can be had only by the passes from Dyea and
vicinity, which is most difficult and perhaps
an impossible task. However, should these
reports of the suffering of our fellow citizens
be further verified, every effort mt any cost
should be made to carry them relief.