Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1903-10-03
NEEDS OF ALAskANs.
Proposals That Are to Be
Submitted to Congress.
A RESIDENTS OPINION OF TEEN.

Colonel William J. Sutherland Dis
agrees With Some of the PROPOSE
tions and Tells of Conditions In
the District--EIe Says Alaska is the
worlds Richest Mining Country.
AS result of the recent visit of the
| United States senatorial commission to
Alaska the people of that, district
have formulated a memorial to be pre-
scented when congress assemblies, en-
bracing the following propositions:
| be tablished.
| That two judges be appointed TOT the
Second judicial district.
That land Office be established at
Nome.
That the mouth of the Snake river be
converted into harbor for the protection
and use of small craft.
| That the license tax be either removed
or reduced liquor license excepted.
That a winter mail route via llliamna
bay be esta blished.
That congress grant subsidy to private
parties to build an ice boat for winter
service between Dutch Harbor and Nome
mat In all CIVIL cases ulIlS TRIAL JULIUS
may render a verdict t1
That telegraph communication between
Nome and the outside be established.
That a new courthouse and Jail be pro-
vided at Nome.
That life saving station be established.
That the government support and care
for the Eskimos.
pointed to investigate the mining laws
and recommend amendments.
l. That congress appropriate funds to bulld
permanent roads, trails and bridges.
r. Colonel William j. Sutherland, who
has extensive interests in Alaska. has
been staying in New York and recently
left again for Alaska. When a New
York Times reporter spoke to him con-
Corning the memorial to congress, he
said:
Having just returned from long
sojourn in Alaska, l am familiar with
the matter referred to. Personally
am; opposed to q territorial govern
ment there. | think the position taken
by Governor Brady is the correct one.
and the government Of Alaska should
be continued along the present lines
Alaska wants no delegate to congress,
but she does sorely need commits
sioner appointed by the United States
to investigate conditions and have the
power to bring the wants of the people
before congress so that laws may be
enacted for their protection.
zone great need of Alaska is legisla-
ton to prevent the jumping OF min
ing claims. | heartily concur i'll the
second and third propositions and con-
slider the fourth an excellent idea. The
revenues in Alaska are derived mainly
from licenses and. all matters consid-
cred. they are comparatively reason
able. They would be heavier under
territorial form of government.
81 believe there should be Il winter
mail route. but l am opposed to sub
sidy for an ice boat service as an ex-
ceedingly dangerous operation invOlv-
ing large expenditure of money with
inadequate and unsatisfactory returns.
"The nine jurors proposition has
worked very well in some Of our far
western states. and don't know OF
any reason why 1t should not be equal
ly successful in Alaska. Telegraphic
communication between Nome and the
outside world is greatly to be desired.
AS to a new Jail in Nome it is certainly
needed. and it ought to be filled all the
time as there are many persons in Alas
ka who are better in Jail than out. But
really from a humanitarian point of
view new one is needed. The pres
ent structure is old, and the inmates
suffer terribly in extremely cold wealth
er. A life saving station is needed, but
/ don't know Of any reason why the
Eskimos should be cared for at the e1-
pense of the government. They are
able to work and should be made to.
'"There is urgent need for an im-r
provement in the mining laws along
other lines than those in operation in
the southwestern part Of the United
States, which are not adapted to Alas
ka because the seasons in the latter
place are too short.
81 consider the proposition to pro-
vide permanent roads, trails and
bridges the best Of the fourteen. as it
would do more than anything else to
improve Alaska. Private capital will
not undertake these things. so the gov
eminent should.
81 am very much opposed to the idea \
Of electing a delegate to congress from
Alaska. The settlements and centers
Of population are so widely apart from
central points that there would be SO
much delay in getting the returns that
either the wrong man would go to
Washington or the territory would not
be represented. The proposition in
this connection to extend the franchise
to the Indians is all wrong In my
opinion none who cannot read. write
and understand the federal constitu-
ton should be admitted to the electo-
rate.
"For Alaska to take the place to
which she is entitled the mother gov
eminent must help her. This would