The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-04-23
ALASKA,S NEEDS.
Governor Brady Wants Congress to
Do Something at Once.

New York, April Ex-Governor John
G. Brady, of Alaska. is in this city. For
some days he has been IN Washington in
the interests of the Alaskan bill, which
he hopes congress will pass this session.
He will return to Washington today. In
the course of a conversation had with
him at the Fifth avenue hotel, Governor
Brady said:
From present appearances the dis
covery of gold in the Cape Nome dis
trict promises to be one of the most i'm
portant finds in Alaska. At first peo-
pie We're sceptical of the reports that
gold existed in that district in paying
quantities, but results have proved that
there We're no grounds for doubts. At
the end of the season the value of gold
produced was 81, 250, 600, one million hav
ing been taken from the beach and the
remainder from the gulcheS. The finding
of gold upon a sea beach is something
new in gold mining, and the question is
now as to the extenSlVeness of that
field. It is believed that the deposits
run beneath the water, possibly even
beyond the three mile limit, so that it
may come about that before long we
shall see the unique spectacle of gold
being mined from steamships. The
latest news that has come out is that the
tundra, the lower ground between the
salt water and the mountains, is gold
bearing, and sufficiently rich to pay
handsome returns.
1.-THE main thing that is agitating us
just now is that we want congress to do
something for Alaska It is impossible
for US to get along without law courts,
for one thing. It is unfair to expect
General Randall, with a few troops, to
keep in order the $4,000 or 10000 people
who are expected to go to ALASKA during
the coming season. The bill which is
now before the senate would give US
much needed relief from the unsatisfac :
tory state of things which we now have
to contend with. 1t would give US q
civil code, three full district courts, with
competent jurisdiction over all persons
and maritime and mining questions If
| congress should fail to give US these
laws and these courts, 1t would be a
calamity, because fully 25, 900 people are
reported to be already booked for Alas
| ka by the transportation companies
when the season opens. Alaska has been
Kept IN the background all these years,
| and something should be done for it
| now, because the more we know of it
| the more valuable to the country it be-
| comes.
I'VE wish to organize Alaska into a
| territory but it is impossible for US to
! do so until congress gives US adequate
land laws. We already have mining
| laws, and there is no trouble about get
ting title to a mine. but you cannot get
| title for a home, and therefore those
viii wish to make their homes in Alas
/ V no wish to make their homes in Alas
cause they cannot obtain title to their
| land.
44C1S d. Z many PGODl6 WHO went 1QLC
Alaska soon after its transfer who have
continued to live there year after year
constantly hoping that they would get
the wished-for title; but they are
hoping yet. The want of these land
laws has retarded the growth of Alaska
more than anything else. For instance
Alaska would be glad to receive the
| large number of immigrants who are
coming from Finland to this country
They are just the kind Of people who
would build up Alaska. They would
be at home in the climate there, anc
the resources they would have are I'M
doubtedly much better than those Of
| Finland. The people would soon be
come prosperous; but we cannot invite
| them TO come and settle upon land L
which they cannot acquire title. Witt
no permanency guaranteed to them
the people would be unable to stanl
taxation to support a territorial form
of government. Congress imposes upoI
US the licensing system. and all. tn,
money that has been derived from tina
| source has been turned into the United
| States treasury without any provision
being made for any part of it being de
voted to any specific purposes in Alaska
| Congress should provide literally TO
the schools, and if the suggested bill
is enacted part of this money will b.
allowed to the municipalities organized
under the law"