The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-08

Land Laws for Alaska.
Among the suggestions for legislation
for Alaska which Gov. 5rady presents,
that which proposes an extension Of the
United States land laws over the dis
trict Is the most important. and every
friend OF Alaska should unite in urging
upon congress the necessity for such
legislation II Il time that congress
should wake up 70 the fact that Alaska
Is not hyperbcrean region temporarily
doomed by reason OF the discovery OF
placer mines. which viii soon be worked
out. but country with extraordinary re-
sources, rich in pofentialities. sooner or
later sure to support a large population
and certain ultimately to become one Of
the most important states I'm the Union
At present the laws OF congress dis
courage Immigration to the district. ami
retard its legitimate growth immeasur-
ably. There are no means OF acquiring
title TO any land within the district save
under the mineral laws. the townsits
laws or under special provision which
permits Of the entry OF land for CONNER
cial. manufacturing or industrial
purposes. No provision exists by
means Of which the ordinary home
seeker can obtain title TO LAND for
agricultural purposes none under which
the timber can be utilized, none under
which the Ashing industry can progress,
save through the medium OF strong and
wealthy corporations. What the district
imperatively needs. and what II IL en-
titled 10 have. Is the extension OF the
whole system of United States land laws,
and Of the government surveys over n
at once. This has been done for every
other territory In the Union, and there
Is no legitimate reason why an exception
should be made In the case Of Alaska.
potentially richer than any territory or.
wanised out OF the area acquired as the
result of tho Mexican war, save possibly
California.
The proceeds Of the seal fisheries alone
have been sufficient to return to the gov
eminent the original purchase price OF
the district. The mines already opened
and producing are adding enormously
To the wealth OF the whole nation. The
federal taxation collected. including this
arbitrary and unnecessary special n
eenses imposed ueon business OF all kinds
r. more than the annual expenditures OF
the federal government. Vet congress
does no, consider Il necessary Go trea,
the district with even the scan, measure
NJ Justice accorded sil 81 the other ter
ritoriss In the years which preceded their
admission Into IN. Union.
There Is abundance ~ land IN Alaska
which can be as easily and probably eal.
fisae-d az that IN TIRE countries 81 north
ern Europe, countries which have pre-
served an indspendsn, existence FOR gen.
srasIons which have supported their own
sovernments, and furnished surplus
population to help 10 ccloptsirs the world
The Fisheries are among the greatest
which the world asords anywhere The
islands 81 the Aleusian group are many
times the area Of the Falkland islands OF
the South Atlantic, and have a mmch
miller climate Thev have an abundant
supply ef grass, and under any legisla.
tive announcement they woald speedily
become as the FaIklands have. grra,
grazing eoantry. Nowhere In the world
does there exist such great tracts Of land
un0ccuplea, which are 50 well adapted Tor
sheep raising ana the produetion OF wool
coal mas been found along the coast al
different points clear up into the Arctic
eifsle. yet no law Is in existence under
which title can ee acquired TO coal land
Tie mineral resources Of the district hav,
been barely touched. Leaving out OF con
alteration the placer mines which hav,
attracted the most attention. the knowr
lodges OF quarts. bearing copper and th,
nsecio1s metals. when fuliy developed vii