The San Francisco call., 1904-12-07

ports, issue Thanksgiving day procla-
nations. and appoint Indian police
men and notaries public. l believe II
essential to good government in Alaska
and therefore recommend that the Con-
gress divest the district judges and the
clerks of their courts Of the admins
trative or executive functions that they
now exercise and cast them upon the
Governor. This would not be an in
novation; il would simply conform the
government of Alaska to fundamental
principles, making the Governorship a
real instead of merely nominal Office,
and leaving the judges free TO give
their entire attention TO their judicial
duties and at the same time removing
them from a great deal Of the strife
that now embarrasses the judicial Of
flee in Alaska.
L also recommend that the salaries of
the district judges and district attor-
neys in Alaska be increased so as to
make them equal 10 those received by
corresponding officers in the United
States after deducting the difference in
the cost Of living; that the district at
torneys should be prohibited from en-
gaging in private practice; that United
States Commissioners be appointed by
the Governor of the Territory instead
OF by the district judges, and that
fixed salary be provided for them TO
take the place Of the discredited fee
system" which should be abolished in
all offices: that a mounted constabu-
larry be created TO police the territory
outside the limits Of incorporated towns
"a vast section now wholly without
police protection; and that some pro-
vision be made TO at least lessen the
oppressive delays and costs that now
attend the prosecution Of appeals from
- -
should be a division OF the existing
judicial districts and-an increase in the
number Of Judges.
Alaska should have delegate in the
Congress. Where possible, the Congress
should aid in the construction of needed
wagon roads. Additional lighthouses
'should be provided. In my judgment
it is especially important TO aid in such
manner as seems just and feasible in
the construction of trunk line OF
railway to connect the Gulf of Alaska
with the Yukon River through Ameri-
can territory. This would be most BEN
eficial 10 the development Of the re-
sources of the Territory, and TO the
comfort and welfare Of its people.
Salmon hatcheries should be eStab-
lished in many different streams, so as
TO secure the preservation of this yalu-
able food fish. Salmon fisheries and
canneries should be prohibited on GER
tain Of the rivers where the mass Of
those Indians dwell who live almost
exclusively on fish.
The Alaskan natives are kindly. in
telligent, anxious TO learn and willing
to work. Those who have come under
the influence Of civilization, even for
a 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 con-
frOnted with twentieth-c century civiliza-
tion with all of its complexities. Their
country is being overrun by strangers,
the game slaughtered and driven away,
the streams depleted of fish, and hith-
erto unknown and fatal diseases
broHght to them, all of which COM
bine TO produce a state Of abject pow
erty and want which must result in
their extinction. Action in their inter
est is demanded by every considerat ton
OF justice and humanity.
The needs Of these people are:
The abolition of the present fee sys-
tenn, whereby the native is degraded.
imposed upon and taught the injustice
of law.
The establishment of hospitals at
central points, so that contagious dis
eases that are brought, TO them con-
tinuaily by incoming whites may be
localized and not allowed to become
epidemic, to spread death and destitu-
ton 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 to
live.
The duties of the office of the Gov
supervision of Indian affairs, with nee
He should be provided with the means
and the power to protect and advise
the native people, TO furnish medical
treatment in time Of epidemics, and TO
extend material relief in periods Of
famine and extreme destitution.
The Alaskan natives should be given
the right to acquire, hold and dispose
of property upon the same conditions
as given other inhabitants: and the
privilege Of citizenship should be given
to such as may be able to meet certain
definite requirements. In Hawaii Con-
gress should give the Governor power
TO remove all the officials appointed
under him. The harbor of Honolulu
should be dredged. The Marine Hospi-
tai Service should be empowered TO
study leprosy in the islands. / ask spe-
cial consideration for the report and
recommendations Of the Governor Of
Porto Rico.