The San Francisco call., 1897-02-20
ALASKANS COMPLAINING,
They Are Not Treated as Are
the People of the O!her
States.
M. L. G Kaufman Ealisting Sympathy
and Support From the Pacific
States.

Alaska is trying to secure better recog-
milton from Congress, and to that end she
is enlisting the sympathy of the Con-
gressional delegations of the States bor-
derIng on the Pacific, NJ. L. G. kaufman
OF Juneau is down here on mission to
the commercial bodies to secure their sup
port, and he has received it. In speaking
of the situation up there and its needs, he
says:
We want q delegate in Congress who shall
be elected by our own people; man who is
thoroughly conversant with our needs and
who can be of service to US in getting existing
laws changed and new ones introduced. The
members of Congress not the least de-
pendent upon an Alaska constituency, and
for that reason are liable TO overlook the Ter
ritory in its needs. Our demands are very
moderate and few. All we ask OF the Govern
ment is to treat US fairly and give US the same
laws as are given to any other portion of its
domain.
The prohibitory law pertaining to the i'm
portation, manufacture and sale of liquors is
one OF them. This law was passed many years
ago, and IT'S purpose was to prevent Indians
from obtaining liquor. At the time the law
was passed it operated splendidly and un-
doubtedly was very useful in preventing
liquor from coming into the hands of Indians.
To-day it has exactly the opposite effect
| Liquor is smuggled into and sold In the Ter
ritory from all quarters. We want this law
| repealed and in place OF 1t law enacted
! which permits the sale OF liquor with high
| license and binding restrictions II will thus
| give US u class OF people engaged in that busi-
ness, who are thoroughly responsible and re-
| liable, and who will not sell liquor to any
| others than whites. AS it is now we have too
many saloons and some OF them do not hesi-
| tate TO sell liquor 10 the natives. All good,
| lava biding citizens of Alaska are very much
| opposed to any liquor being sold to Indians
! and courts and juries have in every instance
| inflicted the most severe punishment upon
| offenders when convicted.
| If the Government would place high
| license upon this business, very considera bic
| revenue would be derived; while on the other
| hand, the liquor sold would be bought in
| merican territory whereas it is now almost
| exclusively bought and smuggled in from
| British Columbia
We have absolutely no land laws whatever.
In the cities and other places the title to the
| lanu improved and built upon Is OF no better
| tenure than the mere temporary right OF
| possession. Such a condition njures our pros
poets, for capital is very timid and Is recluct-
ant to invest where the claim to'title is so very
| uncertain. All we ask is for the Government
to give to us the same land laws as are given to
| other portions OF the Union.
Many petitions and requests have been
| directed to Congress in our BEHALF but without
material res ults. The possibility of accomplish
| Ing much in the line of legislation without a
| re preventative has proven very difficult. We
believe that If q representative of our own Ter
| ritory was admitted to Congress these matters
could be presented in an Intelligent and an
| effectual manner.
The Importance of my mission is highly ap-
your Chamber of Commerce, and l must say
| you have the right men in the right places.
| will only add that Mr.. Lippman Sachs of Sachs
| Bros, in this City, who is friend OF my busi-
| ness firm. has shown me the utmost court tes y
| and has materially aided me in speedily full.
| filling my mission.
In answer to his request Hugh Craig,
president OF the Chamber of Commerce,
has sent the following to Washington:
To the Honorable Senate and House Of Repre-
| sentdtiUes, Washington, d. C.-GENTLEMEN: The
Chamber OF Commerce OF San Francisco re-
spectfully calls your attention to the necessity
| for the representation of the District of Alaska
| in the House of Representatives. Its rapidly
| increasing Importance, its isolation and dis
tGnce from the seat of our General Govern.
| ment and the anomaly of its Federal control
| by power thousands of miles distant, which
| accords it 10 voice In the protection of its in.
| terests, appear valid reasons for your acQui-
escence in this reasonable request. We conse.
| quently pray that you will take the proper
| steps to admit one representative from our
greatest Territory in the Fifty-fifth Congress
| With assurances of our highest respect we
| have the honor TO remain your fellow-citizens,
the Chamber Of Commerce of San Francisco,
HUGH CRAIG, President
| Trustees: George A. Newhall, w. L. Mighell
| Oscar T. Sewall, Charles NJ. Yates, A. B. Field
Leon Blum, A. Gerberding, A. G. Towne.
Attest: WILLIAM L. MERRY, Secretary
Mr.. kaufman is a representative of the
Business Mems Association OF Juneau
and one of its directors.