544 , ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 



Society of the Presbyterian Oburcb of tlie United States of America. 

 In the Annual Keport for 1878 (pp. 2, xvii and 20(5), be gives a second 

 report of Sbeldon Jackson upon tbe progress of tbe Presbyterian scbools 

 in soutbeast Alaska; also, the character and customs of the native 

 population. In the Annual Keport for 1879 (p. 204), be publishes the 

 third report of Mr. Jackson. In the Annual Keport for 1880 (pp. liv 

 and 350), occurs another report of Mr. Jackson on tbe progress of the 

 Presbyterian scbools. Also the Annual Report of Education for 1881 

 (pp. Ixxviii and 286). 



This brings us to tbe commencement of organized education by the 

 United States Government. The securing of action during all these 

 years it will be noticed the deep interest taken by Dr. Jobu Eaton, 

 Commissioner of Education, and when, in tbe year 1877, I came to 

 Washington to try and influence Congress to make provision for educa- 

 tion in Alaska I received a warm welcome from the Commissioner and 

 every facility and encouragement that it was in his power to render. I 

 found in the general public very great indifference with regard to 

 Alaska. The prevailing opinion was that there was nothing in that 

 distant section worth the attention of tbe national Congress. The 

 struggle to awaken a public interest throughout the country and through 

 tbiit influence to secure action by Congress was a long and tedious one. 



In tbe winter of 1877-78 I visited many of the leading cities of the 

 country from Boston to Chicago and St. Louis, making addresses upon 

 tbe condition of Alaska; also as I had opportunity wrote articles on 

 the subject for tlie public press. These addresses and articles were 

 repeated again in tbe winters of 1878, 1879, 1880, 1881, 1882, and 1883. 



On December 10, 1877, at my suggestion the Revs. Dr. Henry Kendall 

 and Cyrus Dickson, secretaries of tbe Board of Home Missions of the 

 Presbyterian Church, addressed a letter to tbe honorable Secretary ot 

 tbe Interior, asking for Government aid for education in Alaska. In 

 the spring of 1879 Hon. Carl Schurz, Secretary of the Interior, called 

 upon Dr. Henry Kendall and Dr. Sbeldon Jackson, who were about to 

 visit Alaska, for a report upon the condition of the natives of Alaska, 

 which report was sent to the Secretary of tbe Interior October 15, 1879, 

 In reply tbe honorable Secretary of tbe Interior suggested the enlarge- 

 ment or increase of former efforts in the way of holding conventions 

 throughout the country and rousing public sentiment. This suggestion 

 was adopted, with tbe result that petitions and memorials commenced 

 pouring in upon Congress. In January, 1880, Hon. James A. Garfleld 

 I)resented a series of these memorials' in tbe House of Representatives, 



' Whereas the United States is responsible for the proper care and government of 

 Alaska, the native inhabitants of which and Creoles of mixed blood are docile, 

 peaceful, partially civilized, apt in the mechanical arts, and anxious for instruc- 

 tion ; and 



Whereas it is believed to be the wise policy as well as duty of the Government to 

 adopt promjjt measures for their education, with a view to their admission to the 

 rights of citizenship ; and 



Whereas it is both cheaper and more humane to give them educational facilities 

 now than to fight them hereafter at a largely increased cost; and 



Whereas they are a self-supporting people, needing no annuities, clothing, or 

 rations from the Government, but do need teachers, which tliey can not procure for 

 themselves; and 



Whereas the Government receives an annual revenue from Alaska of $317,500, and 

 only returns to that <;ountry in the form of salaries of United States officers, pay of 

 monthly mail steamer, support of steam revenue-cutter, etc., the sum oi^ about 

 $65,000, leaving a net revenue of over $250,000: Therefore, 



We, the undersigned, citizens of the United States, do hereby memorialize your 

 honorable body to appropriate from the revenue of Alaska in the Treasury the sum 

 of $50,000, or so much thereof as maj' be necessary, to be expended by the Commis- 



