New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-11
ALASKA AND ITS PEOPLE.
= THRIVING PROVINCE UNAccoUNTABLY
NEGLECTED.
To the Editor of The Tribune.

TO the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir; In z recent address before the Chamber OF
Commerce at Seattle. Governor Brady OF Alaska
said:
There are three things which wish to to strongly
on yoQ-the need Of rePTesep'aaIiYg N o3n
'4Lment
Every Governor Of Alaska and nearly every
president Of the United STATES since the acqaisl-
ion OF the Territory has exp essed similar views
and made recommendations accordingly IN MS
messages. Congress. rather through lnattehuoh
ana indifference than by any settled design mas
given scant heed to them. At first The ooJecNohs
20 Congressional action were based on the plea
mat such measures would involve needless add
ION 10 our governmental expenditures NOW that
Alaska is pouring millions into the natlona! purse
ana receiving mere pittance in return that Oh
Jecuon no longer holds present ooJecuon Is
absurd on the face of H. That is that the IeFrl-
DRY is so vast that a government survey OF the
"ho!e would be very costly. and therefore IL
YOU'D be better not try survey any part OF H.
II that rule had been adopted. neither the Mlsss-
aippl Valley nor the Pacific Coast could ever have
been settled.
In a half-hearted way the land laws have been
extended 10 Alaska. That is. the miner may stake
cut and reco his claim. the projectors o: village
may establish a site but farmer or lumber
man can have any but a "sduatters right TO
and He can have neither farm nor nome
stead There are millions Of acres of arabic lana
and thousands OF miles of densely wooded coasts
left useless and unoccupied. Yet all along the Pacific
Coast are men eager and anxious to go there 10
seek their fortunes and make their homes
Courts OF justice and schools are among The first
needs Of q country. The few dollars that have
been doled out in that direction by Congress were.
or course. inadequate But fortunately the people
lawabding and heartily DESTROYS OF instruction.
AID their efforts to improve their condition have
been nobly seconded by earnest missionaries. self
sacrificing teachers and benevoently disposed IN
diliduas I visited Alaska thirty-three years
ago just after the cesslon and when revisited II
this summer | found q vast change in its people
Lusy towns have sprung up in the primeval wilder
ness. SteamoUa traverse It's inland waters.
railway crosses its coast range OF mountains
Great mining and fishery enterprises are IL success
ful operation An Influx OF population has begun
composed chiefly Of sturdy American stock rein
forced by the best class of European emigrants
from Scotland Denmark Sweden and Norway
where there similar climatic conditions and
industries. Life and property are safer at mid
night in q mining town OF Alaska than they are
in New-York and Brooklyn. No New England VIII
LACE can boast Of churches IN proportion TO its
inhabitants than Sitka does. The natives through
out Southeastern Alaska are more akin IL appear
ance and characteristics TO the japanese than TO
our traditional red man Of the United states
They have emerged from savagery 10 civiliza-
lion. from wigwams to houses. from heathenism 10
Christianity. 1hey willing laborers. and are
learning trades and handlcratts There are no
communities in the states so frequent IN chuFch
attendance and children more eager for school
instruction than those OF the socatled Alaska Ind
taus" and "creoles." Above all. IL would be hard
to find a region where American enterprise and
patriotism are so all pervading as they are in our
northwest province.
parbans II Is because they are 50 that hears
no oueruloIs complaint or censure of the neglect
that has been shown them. They are hopeful,
cheerful energetic. They would Ike 10 be helped
by their fellow countrymen, but, at any rate they
will do their full share IN heIpihs themselves
They are submitting now without a murmur TO what
their ancestors protested ADMINISTRATION with
out representation" They pay their taxes cheer
fully. and only ask the privilege Of sending dele
gate 70 Washington to make known to Congress
their needs. their resources ana thelf capapIlues
~ ret,,rnine seveDfod anything that is done for
them FREDERiCh w: g AMI.
Montrose- on Hudson Sept. 9. 1907