Douglas Island news., 1899-10-11
A WISE MAN FROM THE EAST.
A Guest on the McculIOch Passes Through Alaska aud Knows All About It. W. L..
 Hampton. the Second Solomon.

The Post-Intelligencer of the 5th inst, contains lengthy interview with man named Hampton, who, it appears was guest on the revenue cutter Nc CuIlough on her round trip through Alaska,
 Gov. Brady, pr. Sheldon Jackson and Judge Kelly seem to be the objects of Mir. Lampton's wrath. It is truly wonderful how much he thinks he knows concerning Alaska and her needs, after a very short visit to the district.
 This learned man accuses Gov. Bra dy with having hobby. We'll, there are very few men who do not possess one, however, if Gov. Brady's hobby is to develop the agricultural resources of the district the people of Alaska will take no exception to it. In fact, we prefer that kind of a hobby to the one that will prompt man to try to drink up all the whiskey in the dis trict, or to make his money by playing poker. The inhabitants of Alaska are beginning to raise their own vegetables, flowers and small fruit and Gov. Bra dy is encouraging them in every possi- ble manner. If that kind of a hobby don't suit eastern correspondents, we cannot help it, but it is perfectly agree able to Alaskans.
 Gov. Brady has lived in Alaska for twenty years. He knows the needs of the people. His reports furnish ample proof that such is true. What Govern or has done more for Alaska than Gov. Brady? Who will better discharge the duties of chief executive?
 Hampton says he is Presbyteri an. In our opinion he lies when he says it. In speaking of Gov. Brady, Dr. Jackson and Judge Kelly, he says: "These three men are without doubt, honest, sincere and earnest" but later on refers to Dr. Sheldon Jackson as "Shellgame Jackson" There is some motive back of this attack. It is not prompted by any desire to benefit Alaska
 The Presbyterian mission at Sitka, is also the subject of an attack by this "knowiug man." He says girls are ta- ken away from home to the school, ed ucated, and at from 19 to 20 they return to their homes and some of them go to the bad. Yes, that is true Such con- dition don't exist among the whites, does it? If Hampton knew what he was talking about, he would know that every Indian school in Alaska has aC- compIished worlds of good. When we consider their progress in just a few years of education and civilizing infu- ences, and compare it with the condi- tion of the whites with centuries of ed ucation and improvement, he will find that there is no cause for condemning the work of any mission in the dis trict. Mission work is not perfect. We do not claim perfection for it, but it has been worth ten times as much as every dollar expended.
 After awhile he forgets himself and the following is the result:
 'The facts of the matter are that ev- erything is in a muddle in Alaska; the present form of government is no form. There is no taxation, except by volun- tary contribution, and the new code, which is a government measure putting a tax on all business, is a most unfair imposition, inasmuch as the govern ment pockets it, not cent going for the benefit of the people who pay it."
 Yes, everything is in muddle, but Gov. Brady, Dr. Jackson and Judge Kelly are not to blame for such con- dition of affairs. Congress has been unwilling to treat us fairly. No atten- tion has been paid to Gov. Brady's sug- gestious and recommendations. The school appropriations have been cut down by Congress to such low sum that the necessary schools could not be conducted. Dr. Sheldon Jackson has done all in his power to have the ap- propriation increased so that he could establish schools in every town in the district, but Congress has not granted his request. Yes, everything is in muddle. At the third largest town in Alaska the U. s. mails are carried past the town, and within few hundred yards of the wharf, and hours after wards, returned in row boat.
 Gl.o-o ,,,l,o o,,o