New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-07
DEVELOPMENT OF Alaska.

NuI CHlleQ Stdles
DEVELOPMENT OF ALASKA.
Alaska, like all our Territorial acquisitions
has proved resourceful beyond the expectations
OF those who made the purchase. 1t has become
the home Of many hardy, industrious and thrifty
American citizens. Towns of a permanent char
acter have been built. The extent of it's wealth
in minerals, timber. fisheries and agriculture,
while great. is probably not comprehended yet
In any just measure by our people. We do
know, however that from a very small begin
ming its products have grown until they are n
steady and material contribution to the wealth
Of the nation. Owing TO the immensely OF
Alaska and its location in the Far North it is
a difficult matter to provide many things essen
tiai to its growth and to the happiness and
comfort of its people by private enterprise alone.
1t should, therefore, receive reasonable aid from
the government The government has already
done excellent work for Alaska in laying cables
and building telegraph lines. This work has
been done in the most economical and efficient
way by the Signal Corps of the army.
In some respects 1t has outgrown it's present
laws while in others those laws hav, been
found to be Inadequate. In order to obtain
information upon which I could rely caused
an official Of the Department of Justice. IN
whose judgment have confidence, to visit Alas
ascertaining how government is administered
there and what legislation is actually needed at
present. A statement of the conditions found
TO exist, together with some recommendations
and the reasons therefor. in which 1 strongly
concur, will be found in the annual report of
the Attorney General. In some instances feel
that the legislation suggested is so imperativey
needed that I am moved briefly to emphasize
the Attorney Generals proposals.
Under the Code of Alaska as IL now stands
many purely administrative powers and duties,
including by far the most important devolve
upon the district judges upon the clerks OF
the district court acting under the direction Of
the judges. while the Governor upon whom
these powers and duties should logically fall has
nothing specific to do except to make annual
reports, issue Thanksgiving Day proclamations
and appoint Indian policemen and notaries pub
lie. / believe 1t essential to good government In
Alaska, and therefore recommend, that the
Congress divest the district judges and the
clerks Of their courts of the administrative or
executive functions that they now exercise and
cast them upon the Governor. This would not
be an innovation; it would simply conform the
government of Alaska TO fundamental prnci-
pies, making the Governorship a real instead Of
a merely nominal Office, and leaving the judges
free TO give their entire attention to their
them from great deal Of the strife that now
embarrasses the judicial Office in Alaska.
also recommend that the salaries of the dis
trict judges and district attorneys in Alaska be
increased so as to make them equal to those re-
celVed by corresponding officers in the United
states. after deductng the difference in the cost
Of living; that the district attorneys should be
prohibited from engaging in private practice:
that United States commissioners be appointed
by the Governor of the Territory instead of by
the district judges and that a fixed salary be
provided for them. to take the place of the dis
credited Zee system which should be abolished
in all offices; that mounted constabulary be
created to police the territory outside the limits
of incorporated towns-a vast section now who'll
ly without police protecton-and that some pro-
vision be made to at least lessen the oppressive
delays and costs that now attend the prosecu-
tion Of appeals from the District Court Of Alas
ka. There should be division of the existing
judicial districts and an increase in the number
Of judges.
Alaska should have a Delegate IN the Con-
gress. Where possible the Congress should aid
in the construction OF needed wagon roads. Adj
ditional lighthouses should be provided In my
Judgment, it is especially important TO aid in
such manner as seems lust and feasible in the
construction of trunk line of railway to con-
meet the Gulf OF Alaska with the Yukon River
through American territory. This would be
most beneficial TO the development Of the re-
sources of the Territory. and to the comfort and
welfare of its people.
Salmon hatcheries should be established in
many different streams, so as to secure the pres
er7aton of this valuable food fish. Salmon
fisheries and canneries should be prohibited on
certain of the rivers where the mass Of those
Indians dwell who live almost exclusively on
fish
The Alaskan natives are kindly intelligent
anxious TO learn. and willing to work. Those
who have come under the influence of civtliza-
ton, even for limited period have proved
their capability of becoming self-supporting
self-respecting citizens, and ask only for the just
enforcement of law and intelligent instruction
and supervision Others. living in more remote
regions primitive simple hunters and fisher
folk who know only the life of the woods
and the waters. are daily being confronted
with twentieth century civilization with all OF
it's complexities. Their country is being over
run by strangers. the game slaughtered and
driven away, the streams depleted of fish
and hitherto unknown and fatal diseases
brought TO them. all of which combine 10 pro-
duce state Of AFFECT poverty and want which
must result in their extinction Action in their
interest is demanded by every consideration
of justice and humanity.
The needs Of these people are;
The abolition of the present fee system.
whereby the native is degraded. imposed upon
and taught the injustice of law.
The establishment Of hospitals at central
points so that contagious diseases that are
brought TO them continually by incoming whites
may be localized and not allowed 70 become
epidemic, spread death and restitution over
great areas.
The development OF the educational system in
the form Of practical training in such industries
as will assure the Indians self-support under
the changed conditions In which they will have
10 live