The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1903-10-02
NEEDS OF ALASHAHs.
Proposals That Are to Be
Submitted to Congress.
A RESIDENT OPINION OF THEM.

A RESIDENTS OPINION OF THEM.
Colonel william j. sutherland Dis
ngrees win some Of the PROPOSE
tions and Tens Of conditions Ia
the Disfrict-He 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 70 be pre-
scented when congress assemblies. EN-
bracing the following propositions:
That territorial form Of government
be established.
That two Judges be appointed for the
Second judicial district
That a land Office be established at
Nome
That the mouth Of the Snake river be
converted into q 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 uliamna
bay be established.
ltldl congress grant q SUBSIDY " pAtfdt1
parties TO build an ice boat for winter
service between Dutch Harbor and Nome.
That in all civil cases nine trial jurors
may render a verdict
That telegraph communication between
Nome and the outside be established.
That a new courthouse and jail be pro-
vided at Nome
That a life saving station be established.
That the government support and care
for the Eskimos,
That a congressional committee be ap-
/ pointed TO investigate the mining laws
and recommend amendments.
That congress appropriate funds to build
permanent roads trails and bridges
Colonel William j Sutherland, who
has extensive interests in Alaska, has
/ been staying in New York and recently
7 left again for Alaska When a New
York Times reporter spoke to him con
4 corning the memorial to congress, he
said:
Having just returned from long
sojourn in Alaska, ! am familiar with
the matter referred to. Personally 1
am opposed to a territorial govern
ment there. ! think the position taken
4 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,
4 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 in the
second ana third propositions and con
slider the fourth an excellent idea. The
revenues in Alaska are derived mainly
I from licenses, aud. all matters consid-
cred, they are comparatively reason
able They would be heavier under q
territorial form OF government.
4 believe there should be a winter
mail route but am opposed to a sub
sidy for an ice boat service as an ex-
ceedlngly dangerous operation invoIv-
I ing a 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 It should not be equal
~ 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 filed all the
time, as there are many persons in Alas
I ka who are better in jail than out But
really from 4 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
Eskinos should be cared for at the Ell
pense of the government They are
able to work and should be made to.
.sThere is urgent need for an i'm
provement in the mining laws along
other lines than those in operation il
the southwestern part Of the United
States, which are not adapted to Alas
ka because the seasons in the latter
place are too short
4 consider the proposition TO pro
vide permanent roads, trails and
bridges the best Of the fourteen, as i
would do more than anything else e
improve Alaska Private capital will
not undertake these things, so the gov
eminent should.
Il 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
J central points that there would be So
/ much delay in getting the returns that
either the wrong man would go tc
Washington or the territory would not
be represented The proposition ~
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
tom should be admitted to the electo
rate
.For Alaska to take the place t
which she is entitled the mother gov
eminent must help her. This woul(
best be brought about by the appoint
ment by the president Of a commits