Amador ledger., 1902-09-26
From Alaska.
PoRCUPINE. ALASKA, Sept I, 1902.
Editor LEDGER


Editor LEDGER
If the U. S. government would pay
as much attention to its continental
possessions as to it's insular holdings, it
would certainly be more gratifying to
those who are developing this mighty
northland. Only the fact of the indis-
putable richness of this country pre-
vents the pioneers from leaving for
some place where fair treatment is the
rule. The last congress did nothing
towards repeating or even abating the
tyrannical special taxation which saps
and blights the efforts of all who en-
gage in business in Alaska. The hope
that the district may be organized into
territory is fast dying out. as petition
after petition receives no answer but
silence. Refusal to extend the land
lIws to Alaska prevents wouldbe set
tiers from engaging in agriculture.
Miners have been getting their timber
from the islands that extend from the
Kewai Peninsula to Dixon entrance
This practice has always been allowed
throughout the west, but last month
presidential proclamation forbid any
more timber cutting, prospecting, gar
dening or any industry whatever, in the
best part of the archipelago, the reser-
walton being longer than some entire
states. This arbitrary and oppressive
act benefits no one except the lumber
men of Puget Sound, while it retards
settlement most seriously. There can
be no pretense that any need of forest
reservation exists in region heavily
wooded everywhere as In south eastern
Alaska.
The boundary line question may
probably be considered settled until
the Canadians make another claim.
Nearly year has passed since the
''modus vivende" expired, by which
Canada was given temporarily, more
than two thousand square miles of the
country bought from Russia. The
Canadians are building towns and roads
along the new line; the Americans are
doing nothing. Canadians are not
called Americans.) The situation is
the same as in the Portland Channel
controversy of thirty years ago, where
the "modus vivends" line is still being
allowed to remain. The Canadians
consider the present question settled,
and now have new map prepared
which places the line about forty miles
south of Skagway. The last named
town is fast being deserted, not one
fourth as much population remaining
as lived there three years ago. This
is due to the fact that while the U. S.
custom officials are ordered TO make
concessions to British merchants, the
Canadians discriminate against Ameri-
can goods in every possible manner.
The result is that Vancouver mer-
chants are getting most of the Klondike
trade formerly held by Seattle dealers,
and most of the wholesale firms of
Skagway have closed up and moved
elsew here. The railroad and steam
ship companies are all that keep Skag-
way alive at present.
Of course these abuses will be COR
rected in time. If Alaskans numbered
three millions instead OF seventy thou
sand, they might follow the example of
the men OF '76. However, we hope and
believe the neglect and expressions now
suffered, are the result of carelessness,
and that we may soon get the ear of
Uncle Sam long enough to have him
accord us the rights always before
given to settlers on the frontier.
Yours for reform,
c. Fl. G.