The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-12
BRIGHT FUTURE Of alaska.
SURVEYOR GENERAL DIsTIN's OF
FICE IS A GOOD BAROMETER.
Applications Placed ON File for Sur
veys All Over the vast Territory
-UnmistakabIe Index to Its
Great and Permanent Prosperity.

The worth and permanency of the re-
sources of country are largely Indicated
by the desire OF its inhabitants and those
doing business in II to obtain title to land
1T Is evidence OF faith in the lasting value
OF their holdings. The trouble and ex-
pense necessarily involved in procuring
government patent to any class of land
VIII not be incurred without this conf
dence. Taking this as a criterion the flu
ture Of this territory as a prosperous
mining and commercial country is assur-
ed. Official records show that the demand
Tor land OF various classes for. diverse
uses is steadily increasing. As the survey
or generals Office is the barometer that
accurately records present and forecasts
future conditions in this line we were ac-
corded permission to refer to 1t in support
OF our statement.
ceived by recent malls applications for the
survey, az basis for patents, OF fifty
hve placer mining claims " the world
famous Cape Nome mining district, and
several from Rampant and Eagle districts,
which includes the Little Manook coun-
try and other localities in the vicinity OF
the renowned Klondike mines. He also
received applications for the survey OF
nineteen lode claims and eighteen mill
sites in the Ketchikan district, and If
teen lode claims ana six mill sites in
Snettisham bay and Harris mining dis
tricts; In addition to these. he has re-
cedved within the last month returns of
the survey of thirty-eight soldiers addi-
t:onai homestead claims, and thirteen
trade and manufacturing sites; also two
applications for the survey of townsites
In addition to the foregoing. there were
quite number Of applications for the
survey OF mining claims. and the notes Of
the survey Of nonmineral land received
by the surveyor general from different
sections OF the territory, but not filed in
the ONCE because of errors. omissions and
informalities In the papers There Is no
doubt Of these being submitted again so
soon as they are cleared OF their defects
The large number OF letters that come
70 the surveyor general by every mail
from almost every part Of his vast juris-
dsction. making inquiry relative to the
proper steps TO be taken in order TO OBJ
tain title to land under the different pro-
visions OF law, II an evidence that the
large volume of business which now comes
70 his ONCE will be greatly augmented
In the near future.
Another indication Of the Astounding
faith In the great future OF this territory
= the numerous applications made by
persons from almost every state In the
Union for appointment as United States
deputy mineral surveyor and United States
deputy 0and) surveyors One hundred and
one applications have been received. sixty
bonds have been approved and accented.
forty-one are now In process OF official
action for approval and acceptance A
United states deputy mineral surveyor
United States deputy QandD surveyor a
5000 bond. The majority OF the recent
appofntees will go direct to the Cape Nome
country. None but bright. intelligent and
competent men are accepted for these DO
sitions. They are civil engineers or ex-
perienced land surveyors, and generally
mining. experts. They are men who have
carefully investigated the prospects of
Alaska and have unbounded confidence in
II as neutrality-suspicious. country Only
those who are well recommended and can
qualify for the position are appointed In
circular letter the surveyor general re-
qures recommendation from prominent
citizens In the community in which the APP
plcant resides as to his moral character
and fitness for the position he seeka and
letters from United States senator and
congressman In the state from which he
comes recommending his appointment. to
file with his application. United States
deputy uand) surveyors survey only nom
mineral lands. and United States deputy
mineral surveyors survey only lode and
placer claims. The deputies make their
contracts with and obtain their compensa-
ton from the claim owners.
In addition TO the foregoing proofs that
Alaska has future of great and perma-
nent prosperity, reports are coming in
from all parts OF her extended domain OF
rich mineral developments, and that ma
propositions intend to make application
for patent on their claims. This is a sure
Indication OF confidence In the richness
OF their holdings. 1t ia a well-known fact
that one thriving Industry opens the way
for others In the vicinity OF these mining
centers settlements will be made for the
purpose of trade. manufacture and other
productive Industries. This will OF course
quicken the demand for nofrnineral land
and greatly augment the call for survey.
In fact II the volume OF business in tho
land office In not very largely augmented
this season. present conditions are deceiv-
ing. and every indication is at fault In
view OF this they should be provided with
the necessary funds for transactinE IT.
and II is hoped that congress will heed
the Recommendations Of the surveyor gem
eral which received the approval OF the
offic'als OF the department OF the interior,
and make sufficient appropriations for the
efficient conduct OF his Office. which IL
now the most important branch OF the
service IN Alaska
Gen. pistin has accomplished much with
the limited appropriation a. his disposal
IN was great undertaking tn organize
his DEPARTMENT, on account % its remote
ness from the seat OF the national gov
eminent the inadequate appropriations
and the many Obstacles he had TO encoun-
ter He has however. proven himself to
he equal TO all emergencies. By his OK
ecutive ability, zeal and interest In the
work he has suCceeded IN organizing and
making his department a credit 70 and
one Of the most active and important In
Alaska.
This territory. whose present prosperity
and promising future We have been re-
viewing the greatest Ash canning coun-
try IN the world and which contains the
largest stamp mill on earth. whose noun
tain= and Elilches are the treasure troves
OF the nations, was stigmstited by some
81 our statesmen a few wears ago as an
inhn~rttable wretched. God-forsaken re-
c4on a barren waste which would never
aAA one DOLLAR 90 the wealth OF the coun-
try. and rs purchase denoanesI ~ wan
fartlv tfniFcated The precedence 81 that
great secretary through whose Influence
We acquired a. and fulfilled the prophecy
ne made on HE dying bed that future
generations would consider the purchase
az Ru-sior America the greatest achieve