Perth Amboy evening news., 1906-01-12

ness, competition, and the degradation
of the natives have greatly reduced the
output; yet large numbers of skins of
foxes, martens. ermines. beaver and
similar furs are still collected; and on
several of the Aleutian islands blue
foxes are being reared in semi-domes-
ITCHY for the sake of their pelts, so
that 2 regular industry in that direc-
ton is arising. The annual market
value of the fur product of Alaska was
estimated in 1880 by Petrow. United
States census agent. At 5 1850, 000.'
Then the wonderful wealth in fish
attracted attention, and now Alaska is
noted Tor her enormous fisheries and
canneries. and also noted for the
wastafulness with which the former in
dustry is carried on. The fisheries
have brought small benefit to the coun-
try. labor and materials come from the
outside, wages are paid and spent out
side; and the ruthless manner in which
the waters have been swept has meant
much hardship for the natives, VINO.
deprived of their salmon by the greed
of the white man, their wild game
driven to the mountains by the en-
croachment of the white man. have
fallen victims TO devastating famine.
their numbers fast decreasing.
Long ago Russian and fur trader
knew of the existence of gold in the
sands OF rivers of the interior and on
the southern beaches, but little encour-
agenent was given the prospector. But
along in 1870 the prospector pushed
his way in and the town of Juneau was
put UP, and mines in that and near by
neighborhoods successfully worked. In
1897. rich finds were made in the Yu-
kon district, and then followed the
wild 9spread contagion of the Alaskan
gold fever. The names Yukon and
Cape Nome now are words to c%onju-e
by. the gold of Alaska puts into
the background wealth of fur and
fish.
Our government is justly criticised
for Its Indifferent attitude towards this
one Of its possessions, and for years
Ddth lHt ely udo DVth AAduE AAdA q
regular territorial form of government
he granted the neglected dependency.
Just at present the cry is full loud.
congress besieged 10 set in action ter
ritorial machinery, Some of the men
that rave put capital into the country
and whose enterprises are yet in an ex-
detrimental stage, declare the cry is
uttered by the carpet-bagger, coast
politicians eager for spells. They
add they are aware the country ere
long will need different government
from that obtaining at present. but
think the time not yet ripe for change.
On the whole. Alaska has taken pretty
good care of itself so far as the pres
ervati)n of law and order is con-
cerned; with the rush to the gold
fields and accompanying attempts at
claim jumping. difficulties in working
of the mining laws. etc, there have
been on the whole fewer excuses than
might have been expected, a rather re-
markable enforcement of law and or
der.
Railroad development will work its
usual wonders in Alaska; two roads
now are in process of construction
others projected. About a year and a
half ago Wall street woke uA to the
realization of the riches of Alaska, and
eastern capital is now engaged in rail-
road building there. Coal fields and
copper districts are attracting atten-
ton. in addition to the gold regions.
and there are prospects of oil devel-
opment. Good wagon roads are taking
the place of the dangerous trails Of
early days, the hardships Of pioneering
fast vanishing.
ALFRED WHITEHOUSE. s..
i