The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1915-09-30
INEFFIcIENcY IN GOVERNMENT
tBy J. f. Jones)
Copyright. 1915. by y. s. Press Association
Chapter VI.

SndptcT W.
The English government appears TO
have exercised most inexplicable cor.
troll over the domestic affairs of the
United States. In late years we have
been making III canal toll laws and
regulating our foreign policies with an
idea to pleasing England. During the
war our commerce on the seas has
been subjected to h~umiliating and ex.
asperating interference and foreign
supervision. But it was not always
thus. Senator Charles Sumner of
Massachusetts, in advocating the pur-
chase of Alaska, gave as reasons why
there should be no delays, 1.-THE in
terest of the United States, the exten.
sion of international domain, the ex-
tension of republican institutions, the
foreclosure of diverse British posses.
short, we purchased Alaska because
Of the anti-British sentiment in the
United States. We paid Russia ST.
200, 900 and most people were inclined
to think it was a bad bargain. How
ever, the negotiations had been pend
ing for many years and Sumner ex.
planned: II am not able to say when
the idea OF this session first took
shape. have heard that it was as
larn ~, tIa AI,,tstn r. ., tto- r.
Polk. 1t is within my knowledge that
the Russian government was first
sounded on the subject during the ad-
ministration of Mr.. ~Buschman." It
vas during hat administration that
the United States offered Russia S.
900 900. This amount was not salts
factory. The treaty with Russia was
exchanged on June 20, 1867. and $780,
900 added to the seven million dollars
purchase price was voted to wipe out
c%essions granted for %monopolies of ice
and fur.
There was a hot debate in congress
and much feeling, and Sumner, in
urging the necessity for acquiring
Alaska. presented a forcible compari-
son of facts. Russia was our ancient
friend: Great Britain our ancient foe.
ments that caused the transfer of
Alaska. In the debate it was made
known that there had been evidences
of silver found at Sitka, and that lead
and copper were thought to exist. Con
siderable attention was paid to the fur
and fishing industries, but there were
no limitations that the lawmakers
even knew of the existence of the
great herds of seal. Sumner was quite
sure that there were coal in Alaska.
and he declared concerning this rumor
that gold is less important than
coal"
In any event, 10 one in all the
world would have dreamed hat the
time would come when 100, 900 900
worth of gold would be brought out of
Alaska within a year. Although the
country has been in an ~undeveloped
state. shipments Of domestic merchan-
disc from the United States to Alaska
for the year ending June 80, 1912,
amounted to $18, 500, 27O. We have
turned the key in the lock. and for
years have kept a deaf ear towards
the protestations of the people Of
Alaska. But that Is not at all strange,
because the time has come when
Hawaii with her troubles over sugar
traffic has failed to awaken any de-
gree of responsibility in the United
States. Porto Rico, almost at our
door, and the Philippines, are receiv-
ing very slight consideration at the
hands of the federal government,
while many did not even know of the
existence of Guam and Tutuila. For
many years we have promised these
people a great deal and delivered very
little, and it will, no doubt, be ome
Wiidt VI iSiiCl IL hoohiC iCopoiSl-
bility when the Filipinos show that
they can best manage themselves. In
| particular reference to Alaska, it can
be said that we have done little more
than maintain order for the country
by keeping a few strong-armed Ameri.
cans on the job.
The government of the United
States proposed to open up" Alaska,
and Secretary Of the Interior Lane
| early advocated "the need of centraliz-.
ed responsibility and accountability"
He said: "~Expedience has demonstrate
ed that efficient administration is best
secured by centralized responsibility
and authority in the hands of a small
number of men, who can be held to
strict accountability for the results of
their actions" This is exactly what
the United States finally did at Pana-
ma. When private energy was brought
to the support OF the government and
Tho ssr1crnreth;J;xx, 80 orNos, u...