The Alaska prospector., 1902-07-24
LETTER FROM SITKA. A1asta's Ancient Capital Is An
 Intellectual Center.
 A BEAUTIFUL SPOT.
A BEAUTIFUL SPOT.


 the even tenor of her way with a calmness born of self reliance and and the knowledge of the advan- tage of location she possesses, in comparison with other towns of the archipelago, which will tell when the transient conditions now pre- vailing shall have passed away. It is true she thinks q mi t ke was made in locating such an import ant office, and the only one of the sort remaining in Alaska, on the eastern verge oi ihe extreme south eastern appendage of the territory. This comes with stronger emphasis when it is so apparent that the tide of immigration and enterprise is flowing so strongly in the oppo- site direction. The people of Sitka are of the opinion that, if the office had to ga, it should have gone to the westward, for the star of Alaskan empire is evidently moving in that direction at present. Sitkans con slider Valdez a more appropriate place for the land office than Ju- neau. In fact they believe that Valdez is the coming city of Alas ka. This opinion, we suppose, is is noi .leculiar to Sitkans. It is no doubt entertained by all intelligent people who have studied the condi- tions and are not blinded by local pride or self interest. Valdez is so situated as, not only to control the great valley of the Copper river and its afiiuents, which are maga- zines oi mineral wealth and fraught with great agricultural. possibilities, but the.commerce of the golden Iu- kon as we'll. Sitka extends the "glad hand" to Valdez.
 There is no stagnation in the so- cial and intellectual life of the Cap ital. Indeed it pulsates with an abounding activity along these lines. While there are no regularly or ganized card or. dancing clubs, nevertheless but few evenings are devoid of social gathering of some sort. Quite a number of the F. F. s. have an evening at home once a week to which all of the -four hun dred" are welcome. nsthese oc- casions whist playing, dancing and singing are usually prominent fea- lures of entertainment and the heartiest kind of good fellowship prevails.
 The intellectual life of the place is not only active but strenuous. There are three literary clubs, to say nothing of missionary societies and church guilds. They consist of the society of History and Eth nology, the WOmans Reading Club and the Womans Club.
 The Society of History and Eth nology is an old organization, but it is still in a honrishing condition and continues to do good, substan- tial work along the lines indicated by its name.
 The Womans Reading Club de votes its energies to the study of the dramas of the divine William, and as it has been working that lead for three years it is fair to presume that the ladies composing it are experts in Shakespearian lore.
 The Womans Club is broader in its purposes. Its range of readiug is not confined to the product of one author or to one line of litera- ture. It aspires to a wider and a more ulitarian culture. Its scope of studies includes many subjects, such as art, literature, sociology, domestic economy and others which have for their objects the uplift and betterment of humanity. It is con nectcd with the Federation of Wo- mans Clubs of the United States, is in most healthful condition and is encouraged .by satisfactory progress. This club does its work in very quiet, nnobtrusive way without Ostentation or the aid of