The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-08

brated at Portland. Oregon by an EXPOSE
ton IN the summer OF 1895, and this event
should receive recognition and support from
the national government.
Development of Alaska.
call your special attention to the Terri
tory OF Alaska. The country is developing
rapidly and it has an assured future. The
mineral wealth is great and has as yet
hardly been tapped. The fisheries. II wisely
handled and kept under national control,
will be business as permanent as any
other and of the utmost Importance to the
people. The forests il properly guarded
will form another, great source OF wealth.
Portions of Alaska are fitted for farming
and stock raising, although the methods
must be adapted TO the peculiar conditions
OF the country. Alaska is situated i'm the
and Finland; and Alaska can prosper and
play its part in the New World Just as
those nations have prospered and played
their parts in the Old World. Proper land
laws should be enacted, and the survey OF
the public lands Immediately begun. Coal
land laws should be provided whereby the
coal land entryman may make his location
and secure patent under methods kindred
to those now prescribed for homestead and
mineral entrymen. Salmon hatcheries, ex-
ciuslvely under government control should
be established. The cable should be ex-
tended from Sitka westward. Wagon roads
and trails should be built and the building
ways. Lighthouses should be built along
the coast. Attention should be paid TO the
needs of the Alaska Indians; provision
should be made for officer, with depu-
ties. TO study their needs, relieve their I'M
mediate wants and help them adapt them
selves to the new conditions.
The commission appointed to investigate,
during the season OF 1903, the condition and
needs OF the Alaskan salmon fisheries has
finished its work in the field. and is prepar-
ing detailed report thereon. prelimi-
nary report reciting the measures imme-
diately required for the protection and pres
ervation of the salmon industry has already
neen submitted to the secretary OF COM
merce and labor for his attention and for
the needed action.
Territory OF Hawaii.
1 recommend that an approximation be
made for building lighthouses in Hawaii
and taking possession Of those already built
The territory should be reimbursed for
whatever amounts 1t has already expended
| Tor lighthouses The governor should be
empowered TO suspend or remove any off,
cial appointed by him, without submitting
the matter 10 the Legislature.
The Philippines and Porto Rico.
OF our insular possessions, the Philippines
and Porto Rico, il Is gratifying to say that
their steady progress has been such as to
make 1t unnecessary to spend much time
In discussing them. Yet the Congress
should ever keep in mind that a peculiar
obligation rests upon us TO further in every
way the welfare of these communities. The
Philippines should be knit closer to us by
tariff arrangements. II would. of course,
be impossible suddenly to raise the people
of the islands TO the high pitch of indus
| trial prosperity and of governmental eff
cheney to which they will In the end by de-
| grees attain, and the caution and modera-
| ton shown in developing them have been,
| among the main reasons why this develop
ment has hitherto gone on so smoothly.
Scrupulous care has been taken in the
| choice OF governmental agents, and the en-
! tire elimination of partisan politics from
| the public service. The condition Of the
| islanders is in material things far better
| than ever before. while their governmental,
| intellectual and moral advance has kept
| pace with their material advance. No one
| people ever benefited another people more
| than we have benefited the F1lipinos by
| taking possession of the islands.