The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-11-25

regulations without a fleet Of revenue
cutters and steam launches TO patrol
the tortuous channels OF Soutneas,
Alaskan waters.
Smuggling prevails and saloons are
open In all of the towns and mining
camps. The governor reports a con-
sensus of opinion In favor OF a stringent
high-license law. which would tend 10
stamp out smuggling and liquor selling
TO the natives. The application TO
Alaska OF the liquor laws In force IN the
District of Columbia, with several
minor notifications. IL urged as meet
ing general approval. The governor be-
lieves that Alaska should n can pay
revenue nto the United States treas
ury. Under a high-iicense law he esti-
mates that the liquor trafic would yield
an annual revenue Of not less thar
s2oo. 900; a tax OF q few cents per case
on salmon would produce from sSs.ooo
TO $50. 900: 10 cents a ton OF wharfage
collected during the past year wouid
have yielded 500 900.
He recommends hat any sytem OF
taxation for the territory be deferred
until land laws shall have been pro-
vided. Many sections OF Alaska, IL is
shown, are suitable for
purposes. With proper care cattle can
be raised in the milde districts. II can
not be doubted hat in the course OF
time herds OF reindeer will cover the
plains of Northern Alaska and a few
thousands of dollars spent now In help
ing the Esquimo to obtain herds VIII
save the expenditure OF many thou
sands in the future.
The fur seal are doomed to extinction
unless all pelagic sealing can be
stopped. The branding Of female seals
has proved a success. The brands rem
der the pelts valueless show that
the United States has a proprietary
right to the animal. The raising OF
blue foxes is becoming an important
industry. The hunting of the sea otter
has been SO unremitting that very lew
are now left. The governor recommends
that the killing OF them be prohibited
for a long time.
Representation In congress for the
citizens of Alaska is strongly urged.
The past year has been one OF great
progress In mining operations. Many
Americans who located claims In the
Northwest Territory nave
them and have settled on the Alaskan
side of the boundary line. where a new
town, Eagle City, has sprung up.
There has been great development In
ouartz mining I'm Southeast Alaska and
along the coast as far as Unalaska. Coal
has been discovered near the Upper fu-
kon. the Tanana and on Prince William
sound. Public buildings at Sitka are
urgently needed for the accommodation
of the officials. II Is recommended That
congress appropriate $4,000 for the
erection OF n penitentiary and otner
buildings.
An appropriation OF $780, 900 for the
education of children in Alaska Is T
estly recommended. Attention Is called
TO the fact tina the rapid increase or
- ,.r.lar - x-aSSaIa nlNinR Alaskan
waters necessitates the erection or
many lighthouses. other recommended
lions include a monthly mail service
between Sitka and Unalaska; cable
connection between the United States
and Alaska; enlargement of admins
trative authority and extension of the
Ian laws to at least the settled por-
tons. The other territorial reports all
claim material progress and urge I'M
mediate recognition as states.
Assistant Secretary OF the Interior
Webster Davis, I'm his annual report,
says the 1872. 6sl appeals from the PEN
sion bureau and 626 motions for recon-
slderation filed during the year make
up a number unprecedented In any one
year or two years in the history of the
board of appeals. The proportionate In
crease still continues M on Oct. 1 last
there were IL ,S20 such appeals and mo-
tons pending. and Secretary Bliss con-
ours In Assistant Secretary Davis rec
concentration for providing for three
additional members Of this board: for
additional legislation amending the act
OF Aug. Z. 1887. referring TO marriage
legislation regulating the payment OF
pensions 10 soldiers who deprive their
families of the use thereof because OF
immoral habits n incompetency. ana
a legislative amendment In behalf OF
widows whose husbands died while In
the service. death not being the result
OF any violation af any law. regulation
or naval service. death under such con-
ditions to be held 20 be equivalent TO
an honorable discharge, as now re-
auired.