Amador ledger., 1900-07-06
FROM skAGWAY.
Inc E1tsnsivs Development Of Alaskan
Aesourcss Has Begun.

The Extensive Development Of Alaskan
Resources Has Begun.
SKAGwAY, ALASKA, June 20. 1900.
Dear LEDGER:
The development of Alaska, now
just begun, is destined to be one of the
wonders OF the age. Stewards Folly"
will prove to surpass California in
value, even as it does in size. The
drawback of climate will be overcome
by the abundance OF coal and running
water, which can be so easily converted
into heat, light and power, and the
cold, dark winters will not interfere
with work that must be performed un-
der ground.
Long ago the great geologist, Hum
boldt, declared that the greatest min
eral wealth OF this continent would be
found in its Northwestern portions,
and the developments of today are
triumph for science. The new discoy-
cries this year are far more extensive
than any previously made. Koy-v-kuk
promises to rival Klondike which is
producing as much, or more than ever,
Atlin and dozen places of new strikes
take share Of attention. Valdez Wal.
dees) the new government port which
will open up the Golfer River country
and give an all-winter all-American
route to the Yukon is the center of a
rich region and will very likely be the
metropolis of Alaska. Prospecting for
quartz is being systematically followed
around Skagway this season with very
encouraging indications, but of course
Nome Is the center OF attraction this
year.
Alaska has been q neglected and
abused child for more than thirty
years. 1t is still district not having
even territorial form of government,
because administrations have preferred
to keep 1t as place in which to reward
pets with the plums Of office, and said
pets have usually grabbed all the pluns
in sight. Governor Brady has lust
been re-appointed by the administra-
tion in the face of general protest
from the Republicans of Alaska. De-
MED representation in Congress, or
even delegate to make their wants
known, Alaskans have been taxed be.
yond all reason or decency. About
eighty thousand dollars year is ex-
acted from the business men of Skag-
way and Juneau in the form oflicenses.
Canadians make great deal Of fun at
the way this great, free Government
treats the people, who are braving an
arctic climate to open its richest treas
ure box. Times have changed and
American ideas of right have changed
too since the days 70.
The new law just passed by Congress
however, gives towns OF 300 and over
power to incorporate and run their
own affairs, and also to retain, not all.
but fifty per cent of their own license
money for public use. Skagway is
trying to get incorporated before July
lst, when licenses become due, and
Judge Brown, the new appointee, who
is now holding court here, is favoring
the project, so it is very likely this will
be municipality sooner than Jackson.
Summer travel has begun. Steamers
are constantly coming and going, car
rying tourists and other passengers.
The White Pass and Yukon Railroad
runs three to five crowded cars each
way daily, also an excursion to the
summit Of the Pass when a steamer
has tourists enough to warrant it.
Talk about monopolies.: The South.
ern Pacific isn't in it with the W. P,
& G. The fare from here to Bennett.
forty miles, is ten dollars (s1O) freight
or extra baggage five dollars a cwt.
They even forbid anyone walking over
their bridges or trestles without paw.
ing toll. There goes the steamer
whistle. Yours as ever,
G. H. G.