The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-11-30


RErOnT ON ALASKA.
There are some surprises In the re-
port upon Alaska made by Gov. Brady.
Eut II IL a vigorous document. and
very boldly invites controversy II any
body cares To enter upon II with him.
Upon many points his views are orig
inal, and whether they shall all be
adopted or not by congress. they leave
no excuse for ignorance upon any sub
1ect Of material interest TO the terri
tory. Altogether IT is one OF the most
lively documents ever issued by gov
eminent officia,.
One point made by Gov. Brady Is we'll
worth observing and bearing In mind
when measures OF reform are present
ed. He says that notwithstanding the
objectionable features of the Carter
bin II would have afforded very great
relief, and rather than to have moth
ing Its friends hoped that II would be-
come q law before the close OF the Sea-
sion" No measure will give entire sat
isfaction to the people OF Alaska. Their
interests are far from being Identical.
and. putting II In the most gentle way,
the interests Of the great majority Of
the people are not always the same as
those OF a comparatively few who ex-
excise considerable influence In Alaskan
affairs Al present. TO use the govern
or's language. the people up and down
the Yukon valley and along the west
ern coast of Alaska are helpless. and
ships. steamboats,. canneries and mer-
camille enterprises are left without any
adequate protection whatever This
state OF affairs can be- changed, IL 1t is
remembered that bill may not be
entirely satisfactory and stiil be a great
Improvement upon existing conditions
A civil code may be considered the
primary necessity. but to carry Il ont
three additional courts would. Gov.
Erady believes. be- sufficient for some
years. In arranging judicial districts.
the law should he somewhat elastic. be-
cause II IL really not known yet how
the population will be- apportiones over
Aiaska's wide area The probability IL
that The coast country viii always BE-
largely In excess of the interior. which
will consist of a mining population more
or less transient
The land laws should be extended
generally to the territory. 1t in al
United that the mining laws are fairly
satisfactory. but the wholesale location
Of claims by proxy is not 10 the advant-
age of the country There are some
considerations which might justify hes
station In extending the homestead act
over the whole 80 the territory. The
conditions differ very much from those
In the greater part % the United States.
Comparatively small AREA could be
devoted Ia farming on an extensive
scale. ON the coast this is particularly
the case, and small tracts would afford
sufficient living and promote the set.
slins up OF the limited portion suitable
for such purposes
or very grave Importance are those
portions ~ the report which deal with
the animal treasures of Alaskan ssas
II is very significant that the seal In
dustry comes In for 50 small y share
81 attention. What VAS once the xreae
source Of wealta for Alaskan salsle-
inenss. and ports nearer hegne. Is now
shrinking 20 small Proportions The
warning is given thss the sea otter Is
disappearing very rapidly. aoa may be-
eome extisst The beaver Is being killed
81 With the same reckless disregard "
> the fatue~
There Is brighter outlook Tor the4Se
who deal in fisa. The Alaskan cod
hanks are said 81 b. ;he erandeSt in
the ,rarla. with an available area 40
square miles.
Gov. Brady takes up the eefens.. az
nr. sheldon jackson in connection
with the school system with the same
vlgor that h. applied e. nil other cues.
the grand Jury whose report condemned