The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-03-30
TODAY IN HISTORY
WHAT HAPPENED MARCH 80.
The Purchase OF Alaska.


Up TO March 80 1867. when tho United
States purchased Alaska, that vast terri
tory OF the northwestern part OF North
America was known Russian America
The present name Is tho English corrup-
ton OF the aboriginal word 'Al-ay"ek-
sa.' the great land The reason the
Russian government claimed this land
was on account OF discovery. They sent
Vitus Bering, Dane by birth. al the
head OF expedition to the northeast
of tho AsiatIc country. In july. lIaO, he
discovered number Of islands, among
them the one bearing his name. Other
expeditions followed. the explorers and
traders gradually extending their terri-
tory.
Thc Alaskan coast was visited by Cap
tain Cook In l77S. and by the Spaniards
al about the same time, In 1its RuS-
sian company was organized TO exploit
the new country. Ten years latcr the
Russian American company was char
tered and was granted all Russian inter
cgts In North America for twenty Years.
From the time of the Planting OF the
cars flag upon the soil Of this great
unknown country It's honor was sullled
by acts Of oppression and cruelty: Inc
Russian American company established
number OF trading posts, but its rule was
characterized by tho most barharous con
duct. and II became so notorious that
the government refused 10 recharter 1T
n 1852
Three years later. in 1865. the Western
Union Telegraph company proposed TO
construct line from San Francisco
nulln"nl1 through the paclDC states aNO
territories 10 connect with the. Russian
line al its then terminus. Anoor, Siberia
Many miles OF line were built, but the
route failed OF completion because of the
successful laying of the Atlantic cable.
and after an expenditure Of over $1,000
600 the enterprise was abandoned.
The. purchasing price paid by the
United States to tho Russian government
was 5000 900 Al the umc Of the pur-
chase this was generally looked upon as
AN eNtravagant expenditure. but ridicuie
at the action Of Secretary Seward in this
transaction has been changed 10 scnti-
ment that credits him with sbrewG dIplo-
macy in thus securing this great and re-
sonrccful territory.
Several reasons have been assigned s
to why Russia disposed OF this vast terri.
tory, II WAS supposed the United states
commenced the negotiations to remuD-
crate Russia. under the guise of pur-
chase, for her friendly attitude toward
us during the ciyil war. Many also be
llcved that Russia sought to dispose OF
this territory TO the United States that
England might not in some way absorb
1t. The most reasonable explanation is
That she wished 10 he relieved of the
care and protection which her subjects
so constantly required of her In maintain
ing the semblance of a government.
1t was Charles Sumner who. at the
time Of the purchase. suggested the name
Alaska. and II was as compliment
in return for his warm advocacy Of the
purchase that Secretary Seward sane
toned the suggestion.
On March go ether was first used as
an anesthctic I'm 1912. 1t is the date upon
which the Crimesn war ended IN 1856
The date on which occurred the SiciIian
Nespcrs. a name given to the massacre
OF the French in Sicily by the Slcilans
in 1882. II Is the birthday OF Sir Henry
Wotton, the English diplomat and author
U56S); of John Fskc, the eminent his
torical writer GSi2); of Charles Wald-
stein. the archaoologist Q856) and the
day on which Phocian. the Athenan gen.
cral, died In 3lT.