The Alaska prospector., 1903-08-20
Always Open Port of Entry

AlNays Open Port of Entry
 Speech of John Y. Ostrander at Senatorial Banquet.
 When tLe reports of gold in the Copper river country first attracted the attention of the hardy and ad- venturous spirits who afterwards laid the foundation of this little city ef Valdez, the search for har- bor from which the unknown re- gions of the interior of Central Alaska-that great empire tri- butary tO the Copper river-might be safely and quickly approached. at once began
 It should be remembered that the coast of Alaska lying north of Sitka had not been thoroughly ex- plOred. And these people were sailing upon seas hitherto unknown to them. Their minds were free from bias or prejudice for or against any particular point . With this feeling they followed the coast from Sitka north. . Yakntat bay is the first safe pert along this route. It was soon apparent, how ever, that this was not the place required. 1t is too far from the point desired to be reached, and is cut off from the interior by im- passable glaciers. Examining the map of the coast in the light of the knowledge since acquired, you will find the same may be said of every bay and inlet lying between Yaku- tat and Prince William Sound. I am informed that competent engineers in seeking for railroad route from the coast to the Yukon, have made an examination of all the inlets of this coast, and have been forced to the conclusion that not one of those south of Valdez bay is suitable for a harbor upon which to build the future great city of Alaska.
 So, our argonauts finally reached Prince William Sound, and, as sen sible men, sought out that point upon the Sound lying farthest to the eastward and nearest to the scene of their future operations, a point which should possess all the advantages and none of the disad- vantages of other points-
 The bay of Valdez was thus event. ually chosen. '.
 The Lowe river pass through the rugged mountains of the coast range offers no difficulties for the building of . wagon or rail road. It is about 25 miles from the beginning of the ascent to the summit The eleva- ton of the summit is but 1900 feet, and this is very evenly distributed throughout the entire distance of 25 miles. At no point does the grade exceed two per cent, the av- craze being less than one and a half per cent.
 need not enlarge upon the ex- cellence of our harbor; it speaks for itself, practically land-locked and protected from great storms. it can be entered by the largest ocean craft, which may lie safely at an- chor. In this beautiful bay. the natural pass through the noun tains, and the rich and boundless country beyond, Nature seems to have said in no uncertain language that here at Valdez shall be built up a great and thriving city-here shall be the Metropolis of Alaska. Tn closing desire to heartily en- dorse the statements made by other gentlemen in relation to the con- struction of a good wagon road from Valdez to Copper Center, or some other central point in the Copper river valley, and thence to the Yukon river; accessible from all other points. A trunk line, so to speak, to which the people who will hereafter settle up and make that country productive may, in the process of development, con- struct other roads. SO that they may indeed be a free people, and not subject absolutely to the demands and possibly extortions of any rail- road that may be built through the country by private capital. We think the government should build such a road without delay. There is one other question now being very much discussed all over the district of Alaska, viz.: The Creation of a Territory or Terri tories out of the District, and the securing of representation in the congress of the United States.
 l am free to confess that the sen- timent upon this question is divid- ed; some favoring the territorial form of government, others favor ing the idea of a delegate in con- gross without the territorial govern ment, if possible, and if there is no other way to secure such represent