The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1914-03-05
THE ALASKA PURCHASE.
What Was Said At The Time About
Our Big Bargains.

We frequently read of the wealth of
Alaska, which has produced since we
purchased it, in 1867, $3.50, 900, 900 worth
of furs, fish and gold up to the present
day. and of the unlimited resources in
coal awaiting railroads to encourage
mining. We know that year after year
the world wealth has been enhanced
by those great values. but we seldom
think back upon the chance we might
have lost to England but for Secretary
Stewards determination to acquire that
vast territory known as Russian
America, with The chain Of the Aleutian
Islands, with their wealth in seals-all
for $1,000, 600 in gold, or a value of
about 10000, 900 of our currency at
that time. But for Mr.. Mr.. Stewards
dominating will and our country's SEN
timent of gratitude toward Russia for
the sending of her great naval arma-
ments to New York and San Francisco
during our Civil War, when England
and France seemed on the point of de-
claring for the Southern Confederacy
and breaking up our Union, and Russia
gave US this practical proof of her
sympathy and willingness to ally her
self with the North, we would never
have acquired Alaska and those islands
certainly not at that time, for the
reason that our immense debt seemed
productive of such an enterprise of
acquisition.
While the Senate promptly concurred,
there was much doubt as to the action
of the House upon the appropriation.
1t was not generally known that Mr..
Seward, exercising his powers with an
iron will, had so arranged that we
should be obliged to take the purchase,
for the Russian flag had given place to
ours before the House had fairly enter
ed upon discussion of the appropriation.
Some of those who opposed it said the
rocks and ice of those $4,000 square
miles were worth nothing, and if we
wanted to show our gratitude to Russia.
which just then needed some cash, the
better plan would be to give her the
gift in the gold and let her keep the
territory. On the other side there
were some wise heads from the Pacific
and other States who said we were
getting good bargain. and that the
future would justify the purchase.
Leonard Meyers declared in the House
that if we did not take it England surely
would, if she could get it, and Mr..
Spalding, of Ohio, believed that there
would be found capitalists who would
take it of our hands and give US a bonus
of 100000 General Banks led for
the treaty, urging gratitude and values
and C. C. Washburn led the opposition.
General Butler was facetious and
derislve, declaring that in 10 years the
whole product of Alaska had not
amounted to more than So, 200, 900. Mr.
Peters, of Maine, said that the fact
that the land was intrinsically valueless
was shown by Russia's desire to sell.
Gen. Bob" Schenk, of Ohio, took the
same view, but was for the measure
out of gratitude. Mr.. Stevens was
favorable because of actual value of
the purchase. Mr.. Shellabarger was
in the opposition. Mr.. Highly, of
California, was on the side of the
measure. and believed the country
would support considerable population,
notwithstanding the severity of the eli
mate in some portions.
That was big bargain we made
with Russia, and the railroads to come
will annually enhance the value of the
territory and future state.