ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 39 



law, so wise in its provisions, is not forced or constrained, but is con- 

 tinuous. Self-interest in this respect appeals to tliem keenl}^ and elo- 

 quently. They know everj^thing that is done and everything that is 

 said by anj^body and by everybody in their little community. Every 

 seal drive that is made and every skin that is taken is recorded and 

 accounted for by them to their chiefs and their church when they make 

 up their tithing roll at the close of each day's labor. Nothing can come 

 to the islands by day or by night without being seen by tliem and 

 spoken of. I regard the presence of these people on tlie islands at the 

 transfer and their subsequent retention and entailment in connection 

 with the seal business as an exceedingly good piece of fortune, alike 

 advantageous to the Government, to the couipany, and to themselves. 



It will be remembered that at the time the question of leasing the 

 islands was before Congress much opposition to the j)roposal was 

 made on several grounds by two classes, one of which argued against 

 a "monopoly," the other urging that the Government itself would 

 realize more by taking the whole management of the business into its 

 own hands. At that time far away from Washington, in the Rockj^ 

 Mountains, I do not know what arguments were used in the commit- 

 tee rooms or who made them, but since my careful and prolonged 

 study of the subject on the ground itself and of the trade and its con- 

 ditions I am now satisfied that the act of June, 1870, directing the Sec- 

 retary of tlie Treasury to lease the seal islands of Alaska to the high- 

 est bidder, under the existing conditions and qnalifications, did the 

 best and the only correct and i^rofitable thing that could have been 

 done in the matter, both with regard to the preservation of the seal 

 life in its original integritj^ and the pecuniary advantage of the Treas- 

 urj^ itself. To make this statement perfectly clear the following facts, 

 by way of illustration, should be presented: 



First. When the Government took possession of these interests, in 

 1868 and 1869, the gross value of a seal skin laid down in the best 

 market, at London, was less in some instances and in others but 

 slightly above the present tax and royalty paid upon it by the Alaska 

 Commercial Compan5\ 



Second. Through the action of the intelligent business men who 

 took the contract from the Government in stimulating and encour- 

 aging the dressers of the raw material and in taking sedulous care 

 that nothing but good skins should leave the islands, and in combina- 

 tion with leaders of fashion abroad, the demand for the fur, by this 

 manipulation and management, has been wonderfully increased. 



Third. As matters now stand the greatest and best interests of the 

 lessees are identical with those of the Government; what injures one 

 instantly injures the other. In other words, both strive to guard against 

 anj'thing that sliall interfere with the preservation of the seal life in 

 its original integrity and both having it to their interest, if possible, 

 to increase that life. If the lessees had it in their power, which they 

 certainly have not, to ruin these interests by a few seasons of rapacity 

 they are so bonded and so environed that prudence prevents it. 



Fourth. The frequent changes in the office of the Secretary of the 

 Treasury, who has ver}^ properly the absolute control of the business 

 as it stands, do not permit upon his part that close, careful scrutiny 

 which is exercised bj" the lessees, who, unlike him, have but their one 

 purpose to carry out. The character of the leading men among them 

 is enough to assure the public that the business is in responsible hands 

 and in the care of persons who will use every effort for its preserva- 

 tion and its perpetuation, as it is so plainly their best end to serve. 



