The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-10

&8GS. ASAO AATv.
:. - WILLIAM L. DIsTIN. surveyor
- r1a6ral for the district OF Alaska. ac-
eorppanied by his wife. Is guest OF
- r1iler. He IL en- route to his old home
10; 6ni1cy. M. where he will remain for
&uis i3me before proceeding East Gen.
i1ln = the one man in the United States
a8a 4 eaSt Of features. very closely re-
S1h}e President Mckinley. and not In
H1qusntiy Il he stared at as possible
Ikstiun.
fmonr the other matters connected with
~ offlce. he has been an energetic work
= vith I view to having the Alaska land
49, revised. In letter Of recommended
i ~ b Inc secretary OF the interior. now
& ~ uail, he points out that all legis-
hfion It this time for the acquiring OF
Rlsaha and titles, with the exception of
HlnIne ana towns.te, ID hedged about with
\ "a limitations a. to be almost prohibi-
~ sf,cs Of surveyor general Of Alaska
~ ersated IN 1851, and on November 8,
~ years ago, Gen. Distin entered upon
I u duties In an interview last night, he
.srils work Of organizing the office first
engneed my attention, and 1t goes without
sayIne that 1t was no easy task to per-
firm. However. that part of the work
4 aeeomplished, and I am glad to say
4hs1 everything Is systemized and in
smooth running order. The large accumu-
htion q business which was awaiting Of
Mtched and current business receives
UuInpt attention. The business of the Of
~ h steadily increasing and will, no
(pubt. increase more rapidly as the coun-
~ dsvtl34 md the duties OF the Of
~ congenial and am quite interested In
~ work
Nesds Congressional Aid.
RI trust congress, during the present
11ssion. win make ample provision for the
nsintsnAnce Of my department. for the
ensuing fiscal year. also hope that
ttumpt action may tie taken By that body
b % amending the land laws pertaining
3 70 Alaska that they may be conducive to
0e acquisition Of titles to land instead of
Wchihltiye, a. they now largely are.
What are my views In regard to Alas
M government? This Is a subject
phtch. II Justice Is done 1t, cannot be dis
posed Of within the time am able to de-
yote 70 It. However, will say do not
mink the time has come for 1t to assume
tne burdens incident to territorial form
government. / also think 1t should
evil code Of Oregon. These matters will
gooanv come before congress during the
present session. and as number of sena-
tors and representatives visited Alaska
~ summer for the purpose OF studying
- conditions and needs, satisfactory Leg
hatioa viii probably be enacted.
/. ,H regard TO the boundary contention
tnlnk y is probable that Canada has con-
.Iuea the treaty In a way its formulators
sss,s thougnt OF. This Is the prevailing
S Ss.sl Y Alaska. The people of Alaska
oeslre only what Is right In the matter
Lney want just what a fair construction
y tne treaty gives them. No more they
~. ana with nothing less will be CEN
NV nevertheless, a vast majority of
snem feel that the waiter is In competent
ns11nnQs, and that IN its adjustment he
ngn: Of the United States and of Alaska
IN rM De thoroughly guarded I do not APP
Rsdhend any serious trouble In the settle
nent OF the matter.
Mining the Great Industry.
fur, nsh and forests are important ede-
Msnts OF Alaskas wealth; but the preci-
we metals which seam it's mountains and
= Mdden In Its gulches. along its streams
sno IN the sands Of its beaches receive
must attention at present, and probably
M ior some years to come. Mining has
pscome Its most important industry. Its
ysouuction Of gold has steadily increased
.,nce ~ nrst mine was opened in 1850. In
". year the yield was less than $1,000,
s, nae u 1897 nearly s3.ooo.oo0 was taken
~, uSm lss treasure stores. The yield of
~ was In excess OF this. but / do not
~ ssMSaiI the exact amount. This Is q credit
~ 49, shoNlng, especially when 1t is remem-
i,st,aa .nat, comparatively speaking, but
srssy prospecting has been done. Great
nse 80 nave never been visited by pros
hsctor There is, however, greater activ-
MAN. ~ snis line than ever before. Those
s n,dy men Of the pick and pan are pene-
sasr as INTO Inherent parts. and / am con-
sstnn,. mat IN the near future Alaska will
Wesith the world with her mineral
dirss... reports which ] receive from
eorsss nt parts are fiattering New dis
ms s,snes N some part OF its extended do
AZ ,hs re OF almost daily occurrence. Some
Dur,rase nnds are phenomenally rich.
tbas .s,, this season the fabulous waltz
Yo ss Jay hidden about Cape Nome, Cape
~ ana along the hundreds of miles of
vs W. oeach In that violently has been re-
~ 49,. inis, ! believe, Is but an earnest
"a v,cs .. = 70 Follow. 1t is my opinion that
81 shasss strikes VIII be made directly north
nav points and also in the interior
Alondike e'e' maui ~ .he
~ A Chance for All.
...,, YOU'D not advise any one who is es-
!, :. In paying business to dispose
49," seek fortune in Alaska, but 1
Na.s neheve that now Is the time for
-. Who are d.sengaged, and for those
eo,s. make gold seeking their business. to
n 49,. = THIS direction. for in my Judgment
= M more promising field for success
IN o,,s nne than can be found elsewhere
evar country. To be successful, how
II i. s.so,. energy ana grit are necessary.
Thss,no place for elderly men or inyaiids.
tjons are many hardshlps and depriva-
4 rnnss 70 oe encountered. The climate in
6pnS q the localities where mining Is
~ n nSorous and inclement. Very
y yna ordinary Comforts az horne