ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 119 



THE NATIVE PEOPLE. 



The native inbabitants of St. Paul Island number 262 souls, living 

 comfortably in C2 frame bouses; and tbose of St. George Island num- 

 ber 88 souls, living in like manner in 2L bouses of tbe same kind. 



Tbe vital statistics of tbe islands sbow 19 birtbs, 8 marriages, and 21 

 deatbs on St. Paul during tbe year ending December 31, 1878; and 5 

 birtbs, no marriages, and 6 deatbs on St. George during tbe year ended 

 July 15, 1879, wben the census was last taken. It will be seen tbat 

 tbe increase in population is slow. Since 1869 tbe birtbs on St. George 

 have been 52, and tbe deatbs tbe same number. On St. Paul tberebas 

 been a total natural increase of 3 souls since 1872. 



It is very clear tbat tbe physical and moral condition of tbis people 

 bas advanced under American rule, and is still slowly but steadily 

 improving. Tlie repressive measures enforced against tbe manufacture 

 of quas, or bome-brewed beer, and tbe use of distilled spirits of all 

 kinds bave bad tbe eft'ect of practically abolisbing drunkenness, and 

 tbe good results are apparent in tbe im])roved appearance and conduct 

 of tbe people. It is unfortunate, however, tbat these people, whose 

 season of labor is restricted mainly to the short summer, bave so much 

 idle time on their hands, which, being largely devoted by many of the 

 men to eating, sleeping, and gambling, is demoralizing. 



'I he maintenance by tbe lessees of the English school, required by law 

 to be kept up for eight months in each year, is having a marked bene- 

 ficial effect upon the young, M^bo make fair i)rogres8 in their studies. 

 On St. Paul Island the school is fortunate in being conducted by a 

 native teacher, James Butrin, who possesses a good English education, 

 and much industry, tact, and energy. The attendance at the last term 

 averaged 39 out of a total enrollment of 42 pupils. To secure tbis 

 attendance, however, required constant effort and vigilance on the part 

 of the agents of the Government and of tbe lessees. The unprogress- 

 ive parents do little to second these efforts, and require to be frequently 

 spurred up. Tbe English schools are under tbe immediate supervision 

 of my assistants. A Eussian school is also taught two hours each day 

 by priests of the Greek church. A commodious and comfortable mod- 

 ern school building has recently been ereeted by the Alaska Commer- 

 cial Company for the use of tbe people. 



Tbe earnings of the native workers engaged in sealing tbe present 

 season were as follows : 



On St. Paul Island— 



79,543 prime seal skins, at 40 cents $31, 817. 20 



457 cut seal skins, at 20 cents 91.40 



318 sea-lion skins, at 60 cents 190.80 



9 barrels intestines, at $6 54. 00 



Total 32,153.40 



Distributed as follows — 



64 first-class shares, at $410.75 26,288.00 



6 second-class shares, at $369.67 2, 218. 02 



6 third-class shares, at $328.60 1,97L60 



•2 fourth-class shares, at $287.52 575. 04 



3 special ajipropriations 650. 00 



3 chiefs, each $150 extra 450.00 



32, 152. 66 

 Balance to church 74 



Total - 32,153.40 



