The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-04

Gov. John q. Brady, OF Alaska. in his
annual report to congress, goes into con-
siderable detail concerning conditions at
New Metlakahtla, it's history and re-
sources. Gov. Brady says In part:
British, Columbia. which is just across
from the Alaska line, near the Portland
canal. Is Old Me.lakahtla About forty
two years ago William Duncan, short,
energetic young man but recently arrived
from Manchester, England, moved TO this
spot with a band OF Tsimshean natives.
Here. under the Leadership OF Duncan. they
started upon new life. He had been sent
out by the Church Missionary Society. lie
set himself to acquire the native language,
and has succeeded so well that now he
finds 1t more difficult to use the English
language than the native tongue. The
Bible has been their great text book; they
have been taught to keep the Sabbath day
holy the gospel Of work has been taught
and enforced. Mr.. Duncan Is the embodi-
mant OF energy; there Is not lazy fiber
In his whole makeup. After a chain Of
most unfortunate events, which 1t il not
necessary to relate here, Mr.. Duncan felt
constrained to leave British Columbia with
his flock and seek q home elsewhere. Mr..
Duncan first went on to Washington and
told his story to those who were then in
authority. He was received very kindly
wherever he went, and from the encour-
agement which he received. upon report
ing to his people, they determined to move
1887 and settled upon the west side of An
nette island, at place called Port Chester.
In remembrance OF their old home they
named this settlement New Metlakahtla
They had to lay their foundations anew
and work on In a very self-denying way.
Today they have village that Is admired
by all who visit that place. They have q
sawmill. waterworks which have cost
5000. cannery wherein they packed this
season II. 400 cases. and a shop wherein
they build boats They have several miles
sidewalks nf n ha orr
Is laid out into lots and streets. and the
people have built themselves comfortable
frame houses They have stores which
are filled with choice goods. the council
house or town hall, a school house. and,
above all, magnificent church which
would be an ornament to any civilized
community.
Their form OF government is by kind
Of town council, elected annually, but Mr..
Duncan Is really their lawgiver and he
sees to It that It is executed They are
supporting and are proud Of their own
ability to provide for themselves. They
number about 1000 souls. Section Is of an
act approved March 3 1891. reads;
the body Of lands known as Annette is
lands, situated In Alexander archipelago
In southeastern Alaska, on the north side
hereby set apart as a reservation for the
use of the Metlakahtla Indians, and those
people known as Metlakahtlans who have
recently emigrated from British Columbia
to Alaska, and such other Alaska natives
as may join them. to be held and used in
common. under such rules and regulations
and subject to such restrictions as may
be prescribed from time to time by the
secretary of the Interior
This piece of legislation. In the opinion
of many people, Is a trouble breeder. It
introduces into Alaska the reservation
system of handling natives. system
which has been roundly condemned by
those who know It's Workings. These
natives are a Woodworking and reliant
people. Mr. Duncan can give employ
ment in his sawmill and cannery and
boathouse to not more than per cent.
at the cultivation of tho soil. nor do
they attempt stock raising. The great
majority of them scatter through British
Columbia and Southeastern Alaska, work.
ing in the sawmills. canneries and salt
cries. Many go to the state of Wash
ington in hop-picking season. Under
present conditions they cannot be con-
fined to Annette island and support them
selves. In the fishing season, when they
go with their boats ana seines to- fish
their w shey bs up
where they belong 1t is the same in
cutting In sense tn they b are
matter minerals have been discovered
upon Annette island. and miners say they
are very rich. Mr.. Duncan has had them
examined, and his experts have Informed
him that they do not amount to much.
At any rate, Mr.. Duncan wants the min
ers to stay away from the island. as ne
is fearful that they will edge In and have
a corrupting and demoralizing influence
among his people. This Is about the
present situation of affairs there: Mr..
Duncan's younger men are branching out
into business for themselves. and some
have n store on Annette island and sell
goods in competition with the large store
in the same place.
Another company of young men own
and operate a sawmiil at Port Gravina,
about sixteen miles from Annette island.
This past season they made $4,000 salmon
cases and are now running their mill
night and day and employ a total force
of about fifty people. These are nearly
all Tsimsheans. Another company of
young men are about to erect q sawmill
in the neighborhood of ketchikan. The
question now Is, What is the best thing
to be done so that Mr.. Duncan shall not
be ruthlessly disturbed in his work and
at the same time be at peace with his
neighbors? His people have now arrived
at that degree of Intelligence and civiliza-
ton that they look upon American citi-
zenship as a great blessing, and they are
all anxious to declare their Intentions to
become citizens. In a few instances the
courts have allowed this 1t would seem
to us that the best way out of this mud
die which would be a very bad precedent
when we consider that we have $4,000 ma
tives who are real Alaskans and not from
fer the right of citizenship upon these
Metlakahtians and give them the right
to take up 100 acres of land each upon
Annette island. Then. as citizens. the
corporate and become as exclusive as they
desire The hope Of citizenship should
be held out to all these natives. We
cannot afford to try TO execute our own
and usages of the natives. One law for
all and all amenable to the law should
be the motto. The natives are ready for
such declaration"