The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-07
DOMESTIC AFFAIRS.
LEGISLATION ron ALAsAKA

Prompt Action Urged on Congress-
New Form of Government Necessary.
The Territory of Alaska requires the
prompt and early attention of Congress. The
conditions now existing demand material
changes in the laws relating to the Terri
tory. The great influx of population dur
irg the past summer and fall and the pros
pect of a still larger immigration in the
spring will not permit us to longer neglect
the extension of civil authority within the
Territory or postpone 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 direction are
upon special surveys. The act of Congress
extending to Alaska the mining laws of
the United States contained the reservation
that it should not be construed to put in
force the general land laws of the country
BY an act approved March 3, 1871, authority
was given for entry of lands for town-site
purposes, and also for the purchase of not
exceeding 16O acres, then or thereafter to
be occupied for purposes of trade and man.
ufacture. The purpose of Congress- as thus
far expressed, has been that only such
rights should apply to that Territory as
should be specifically 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, approved July a. 1897, to
divide that Territory into two land dis
tricts, and to designate the boundaries
thereof and to appoint registers and sur
veyors of said land offices, and the Presi-
dent was also authorized to appoint sur
veyor general for the entire district Pur-
suant TO this authority surveyor general
and receiver have been appointed with Of
fees at Stka. If in the ensuing year the
conditions justify Ii, the additional land dis
trict authorized by law will be established,
with an 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 dis
tricts into which the Territory is to be di-
vided.
l concur with the secretary of war in
his suggestions as 10 the necessity for a
military force in the Territory of Alaska
for the protection of persons and property.
Already small 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's to establish a military post.
AS it is to the interest of the government
to encourage the development and settle
ment Of the country, and its duty tc follow
up it's citizens there with the benefits Of
legal machinery earnestly urge upon
Congress the establishment of a system of
government of such fiexibility as will en-
able it to adjust itself to the future areas
of greatest population.
The startling and possibly exaggerated
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 leaving the country,
are confirmed in such measure as to Justi-
fy bringing the matter to the attention of
Congress. Access to that country I'm winter
can be had only by the passes from Dyea
and vicinity which Is q most difficult. and
perhaps impossible, task. However, should
these reports of the suffering Of our fellow