The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-20

a. M April 1875, 50 degrees ABOVE Zero
r., taken y m; May, 1898, 40 degrees
above. F.. taken u m.
THE coolest single day was Jan. 10,
when the thermometer registered minus
% degrees. The coolest period of seven
days was from Feb. 16 to o. exclusive,
when the thermometer showed an average
Of 80 III degrees below. No severe weather
was experienced after the end of Febru-
airy"
Nothing to Justify the Rush.
In Capt. Rays last report, dated May
last he said, in part:
Il deem Il of the greatest importance for
the development of the country that roads
should be opened, so as TO enable The peo-
pie to enter the country not only from
the Yukon to the open sea in our own
country which is of the greatest import
ance, but to enable miners and prospec-
tors to get into the interior with their
ST pplies. Under existing conditions, per-
sons can enter the country only by the
one great highway-the Yukon river-and
they cannot hope 10 be landed at any
point in Alaska earlier than July l.
The goid-bearlng districts are from
fifty to $50 miles back from the main
stream. There are not any summer trails
except foot trails, and provisions and min
ing too-s can only be transported on the
backs of men.
Il do not find anything either in Alaska
or the Northwest Territory to justify the
great rush of people to that country. or
the enormous investments now being made
IN transportation trading, and mining
companies. In Northwest Territory no dis
coveries of extraordinary richness have
been made since that Of the KlondiBe, and
the claims are almost entirely confined to
bonanza, Eldorado, Dominica, Honka, and
sulphur, with a few claims on Bear Creek
In this district all rich claims are well
known and held at very high prices. and
while the whole country has been staked
1t has been done for speculative purposes,
and no work IS being done except such as
IS necessary to hold a title until thew can
be sold to the unwary newcomer or dis
posed of in the States for corporations
schemes. Capt. Constantine, of the Cana
dlan Northwestern mounted police is nv
authority for denouncing the movement
as a fraud.
In the absence of any other industry.
except cutting wood for the river boats
do not see anything in the future for
over ninety per cent of the people now
fiocking to that country but dIsannoint-
ment and suffering. Even those who OBJ
tain employment at one dollar and half
per hour find that after deducting the cost
or food, packing, candles, etc, they do not
net to exceed 81 per day, and they tell me
1t Is barely enough TO tide them over the
idle season.
up to date no paying mineral loads Of
elmer gold or silver have been discovered
IN North Alaska. and so far as known
Development viii be Slow.
Il am now fully satisfied that in the near
future Alaska will be the source Of .,reat
wealth, but the development will necas
s ,3y De SLOW owing to the climatic con-
uilohs. recommend the early introduce
ton of horses, mules, and cattle. and ex
ira inducements should be held ont for tba
development of agriculture in the valley
OF the Lower Yukon, especially Wild bav
can be obtained there in great a abundance
ana oats, barley. and spring wheat. can
be successfully cultivated, as well ms no
tatoes' turnips, and all the more hardy
garden vegetables, all of which would be
required Tor many years TO meet the local
demand ana by reducing the cost of trans
portauon and food render it possible to
profitably work a large per cent. of the
mines now lying idle.
But few of the people now entering The
northern part of the territory will ever
become factor in its permanent devel-
opment. They must pass awav before
the time when the wealth of the country
will become known and developed To
promote this | recommend that several
wen SquipPeu pdiues De put IN the field
and thorough geographical and geologi .
cal exploration of the country be made
so that men of ordinary means win be
able to engage in the work of prospect
ing and mining. At present il reouires
considerable capital to first explore fine
country for practicable route to trans
port supplies before any work can be done
in prospecting.
The ruling rate of interest at Dawson
is from 10 to II per cent. per month. which
is the best exemplihcation 1 can give of
the specializing condition of the finances
of that country"