Oregon union. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1897-1899, 1897-12-10
NEEDS OF ALASKA.
Existing Conditions Demand
Change in the Laws.

The territory of Alaska requires the
prompt and early attention of congress.
The conditions now existing demand q
material change in the laws relating to
the territory. The great influx of popula-
tion during the past summer and fall and
the prospect of a still larger immgra-
ton in the spring will not permit us to
longer neglect the extension of civil au-
thority within the territory or pos tpone
the establishment of a more thorough
government. A general system of public
surveys has not yet been extended to
Alaska, and all entries thus far made in
that district are upon special surveys
The act of congress extending to Alaska
the mining laws of the United States con-
tanned the reservation that it should not
be construed to put in force the general
land laws of the country.
BY an act approved March 8, 1891, au-
thority was, given for entry of lands for
townsite purposes, and also for the pur-
chase of not exceeding 160 acres then or
thereafter occupied for purposes OF
trade and manufacture. The pur-
pose of congress, as Sthus far
expressed, has been that only
such rights should apply to the territory
as should be specifically named. 1T will
be seen how much remains to be done for
that vast, remote, and yet promising por-
ton of our country.
Special authority was given to the pres
ident by the act approved July "a, 1897, to
tricts, and to designate the boundaries
thereof, and to appoint registers and re-
ceivers of said land offices, and the presi-
dent was also authorized to appoint a
Surveyor-general for the entire district.
Pursuant to this authority, surveyor
general and receiver have been appoint
ed, with offices at Sitka. If in the ensu-
ing year the conditions justify it, the addi-
tional land district authorized by law
will be established with an office at some
point in the Yukon valley. No appropria-
ton, however, was made for this pur-
pose, and that is now necessary to be
done.
The Military Post.
1 concur with the secretary of war in
his suggestions as to the necessity, for a
military force in the territory of Alaska
for the protection of persons and prop
erty. Already small force consisting
of 25 men and two officers, under COM
mand of Lieutenant-Colonel Randall, of
the Eighth infantry, has been sent to
st. Michaels to establish a military post.
AS it is to the interest of the government
to encourage the development of the coun-
try and it's duty to follow up it's citizens
there with the benefits of legal machin-
cry, earnestly urge upon congress the
establishment of a system of government
of such fieXibility as will enable it to ad-
Just itself in the future to the needs at
tendant upon greater population.
Relief for Starving K1ondikers.
The startling though possibly exag-
gerated reports 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 leav-
ing 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 i'm
possible task. However, should these re-
ports of the suffering of our fellow-citi-
zens be further verified, every effort at
any cost should be made to carry them
relief