126 REPORT OF ALASKA INVESTIGATIONS. 



to the conduct of certain Government officials. I therefore temporarily abandoned my other investigations 

 and proceeded at once to St. Paul Island, arriving on July 10. 



An investigation was made of charges against the agent and caretaker, and the storekeeper on St. Paul 

 Island, and against the agent and caretaker on St. George Island. Nothing was left undone to bring about 

 a fair and full hearing, and testimony of all the white employees on both islands, as well as of a large num- 

 ber of natives, was taken and the investigation was sweeping and impartial. It showed beyond a question 

 of doubt that a deplorable condition has existed on these islands for years, and resulted in the dismissal 

 from the service of both men on St. Paul Island. All Government officials who have allowed the morals 

 of the islands to be disturbed liave violated their oath of office and are guilty of gross misconduct if not of 

 criminal negligence. 



NATIVES. 



In order to understand the reasons for the conditions on the islands it is necessary to view the matter 

 from a very broad standpoint. The native inhabitants of the islands are undeniably wards of the Govern- 

 ment. They are on a Government reservation, receiving from the Government at no cost to themselves a 

 certain amount of supplies and rations, their schooling, and medical aid. Furthermore, viewing them 

 from a business standpoint, they are of valuable assistance to the Government in carrying on the seal 

 and fox operations; so it strikes me forcibly that while from a legal standpoint they may not be considered 

 strictly as wards, yet looking at the situation from every angle, the Government has a grave responsibility 

 in their general welfare, and they and their homes should be protected. On the other hand, the Government 

 has been clearly remiss in allowing the practical and business side of these islands to be neglected. The 

 villages in which the natives reside, their houses and other buildings which they find it necessary to use, 

 have not received adequate attention. The facilities for obtaining fresh water for domestic purposes 

 on both islands are so bad that the natives to-day have not a sufficient supply to assure even ordinary 

 cleanliness. This fact alone is the greatest argument in favor of a perfected water system. 



The general sanitary condition of the villages has been neglected. Instead of maintaining modern 

 settlements the Government has been quite satisfied with the opposite, and the result is that many of the 

 moral and business questions of the islands have been sadly overlooked. The people are lacking in intelli- 

 gence and morality, and some of the white men sent there, who should have guided them along proper lines 

 of living, have set bad examples. There is a generally demoralized and bad atmosphere among the natives, 

 both in their talk and actions. It was told to me by one of those who had been entrusted with the care of 

 the natives that it was as common for them to use obscene and indecent language as it is for us to talk 

 about the weather. This is the keynote of the whole situation. It was the duty of the Government 

 employees who have been sent there in the past to protect and uplift these people, and it was naturally 

 and properly expected that their examples and suggestions would improve their minds and lives instead of 

 demoralizing them. In other words, the natives on the islands would reflect exactly the atmosphere 

 created by the talk and actions of the United States employees. 



NATIVES' HOUSES. 



There has been little assistance given the natives in their homes in respect to matters pertaining to 

 sanitation. In respect to their dwellings generally there is much to be said. The houses in many instances 

 are old and never have been either repaired or remodeled. Many of them are far too small, with the 

 result that in some cases mothers, fathers, and children sleep, eat, and live in one ill-ventilated room. 

 All this is more or less responsible for the bad physical and moral condition of the occupants. A thorough 

 canvass of all these buildings should be made at once, some torn down, and others enlarged and repaired 

 without delay. Some of the outhouses are disgraceful. In many instances these should be burned and 

 replaced. Others should be repaired and properly fitted. 



NATIVE BEER AND LIQUORS. 



The fact that the natives have been allowed to make their native beer "quass, or "sour dough "- 

 has proved a serious menace to the morals and welfare of the community. In addition to this they have 

 received liquor from some of those in whose safe-keeping and protection they were supposed to be placed. 

 The whisky and wine has had a further demoralizing effect. This situation, while not entirely changed, 



