The Topeka state journal., 1897-12-06

been under repair and therefore inca
pable OF use Immediate steps should
be taken to provide three or four docks
OF this capacity on the Atlantic coast
at least one on the Pacific coast and a
floating dock on the gulf This is the
reconmendation Of very competent
board appointed to Investigate the sub
Ject There should also be ample pro-
visions made for powder and urofec-
tiles and other munitions of war and
for an increased number Of officers and
enlisted men. Some additions are al
so necessary to our navy yards for the
repair and care of our large number
of vessels AS there are now on the
stocks five battleships of the largest
size, which cannot be completed for a
year or two I concur with the recon-
mendation of the secretary of the navy
Tor an appropriation authorizing the
construction of one battleship for the
Pacific coast, where, at present, there
IS only one in commission and one un-
der construction, while on the Atlantic
coast there are three in commission
and four under construction: and also
that several torpedo boats be author
lied in connection with our general
system of coast defense
The territory of Alaska requires the
prompt and early attention of congress.
The conditions now existing demand
material changes in the laws relating
population, during the past summer
and fall and the prospects of q still
larger lTnmlg grafton IN the spring will
not permit US to longer neglect the ex-
tension of civil authority within the
territory or postpone the esta blishment
of more thorough government. A
general system of public surveys has
not yet been extended to Alaska and
all entries thus far made in that dis
trict are upon special surveys The act
OF congress extending to Alaska the
mining laws of the United States CON
tained the reservation that it should
not be construed to put in force the
general laws of the country. BY act
approved March 3, 1891, authority was
given for entry lands for toWnsite pur-
poses and also for the purchase of not
exceeding one hundred and sixty acres
then or thereafter occupied for purpOs-
es of trade and manufacture. The pur-
pose of congress as thus far expressed
has been that only such rights should
apply to the territory as should be spe-
cifically named.
1t will 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 congress ap-
proved July "a, 1897, to divide that ter
ritory into two land districts and to
designate the boundaries thereof and
to appoint registers and surveyors OF
said land offices and the president was
also authorized to appoint a surveyor
general for the entire district. Pur-
suant to this authority, surveyor gen
eral and receiver have been appointed
with offices at Sitka. If in the ensu-
ing year the conditions justify it. the
additional land districts authorized by
law viii be established with office at
some point in the Yukon valley. No
appropriation, however, 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 divid-
ed.
I concur with the secretary of war
in his suggestions as to the necessity
for military force in the territory of
Alaska for the protection of persons
and property. Already a small force,
consisting of twenty-five men with two
officers under command of Lieutenant
Colonel Randall of the Eighth infantry
Hsh a military post.
AS it is to the interest of the govern
ment to encourage the development and
settlement of the country and it's duty
to follow up its citizens with the bene-
fits of legal machinery, L earnestly
urge upon congress the estab ablfshment
of a system Of government Of such flex-
ibility as will enable it to adjust itself
to the future increase of population
The startling though exaggerated re-
ports 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 measure as to justify bringing the
matter to the attention of congress
Access to that country this winter can
be had only by the passes from Dyea
and vicinity which is a most difficult
and perhaps an impossible task. How
ever, should these reports of the suf-
fering of our citizens be further verf-
fled, every effort at any cost should be
made to carry them relief