ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 545 



and on tlie 2d of Februaiy, 1880, Hon. Henry L. Dawes presented i^imi- 

 ];ir iiienioritils in tlie Senate. 



Tlirougli the rising pnblic sentiment, and especially tlie influence of 

 (len. flohn Eaton, the Commissioner of Education, there was secured 

 on December 1, !8S0, an official recog'nition of the needs of Alaska 

 when President Hayes, in his message to Congress, said with regard to 

 Alaska : 



Tho problem is to supply the Territory for a populatiou so scattered and so iioculiav 

 in its origin and condition. The natives are reported to be tractiiblc and self- 

 supporting, and if properly instructed doubtless would advance rapiilly in civiliza- 

 tion, and a new factor of prosperity would lie added to the national life. I therefore 

 recommend the requisite legislation upon the subject. 



Again on December 6, 1881, recognition was secured in the annual 

 message to Congress of President Arthur, who says: 



I regret to state that the people of Alaska have reason to complain that they are 

 as yet unprovided with any form of government by which life or property can be 

 protected. While the extent of its jtopulation does not justify the application of the 

 costly machinery of territorial administration, there is immediate necessity for con- 

 stituting such a form of government as will promote the education of the people and 

 secure the administration of justice. 



Again in his message to Congress December 4, 1882, President Arthur 

 says : 



Alaska is still without any Ibrm of civil govei'nment. If means were provided for 

 the education of its people and for the protection of their lives and i)roperty the 

 immense resources of that region would invite permanent settlers and open new 

 fields for industry and enterprise. 



Upon the 1th of February, 1882, Gen. John Eaton sent a special 

 letter to the honorable Secretary of the Interior, calling attention anew 

 to the need of schools in Alaska. On the 8th of the same month the 

 Hon. S. J. Kirkwood, Secretary of the Interior, transmitted the same 

 to tli(> President, and upon the ISth of February, 1882, the President 

 transmitted both letters to the Senate and House of Eepresentatives.^ 



sioner of Education, under the direction of the honorable Secretary of the Interior, 

 for the establishment, under comjietent teachers, of schools for the instruction of 

 the native i)opnlation and Creoles of Alaska in the English language, the eonuuon 

 branches of an English education, the principles of a Republican government, and 

 such industrial pursuits as may seem best adapted to their circumstances. 



"^To the Senate and House of Representatives: 



I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from the Secretary 

 of the Interior, inclosing a letter from the Commissioner of Education, in which the 

 recommendation is made that an appropriation of |50,000 be made for the ])urpo8e 

 of education in Alaska. 



Chester A. Arthur. 



ExKCi'TivE Mansion, February 15, 18S3. 



Department of the Interior, 



Washington, Fehruarij S, ISSJ. 

 Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith, for your consideration, a letter from 

 the Commissioner of Education, in which he recouunends that an appropriation of 

 $50,000 be made for the establishment and maintenance of schools in Alaska. 

 I concur in the recommendation that the appropriation be made. 



Very respectfully, S. J. Kirkwood, Secretary. 



The President. 



Department of the Interior, Bitreau of Education, 



Washington, February 4, 1SS:2. 



Sir: My attention is called to the provisions of the law determining the purpose 

 and duties of this office, which provides that it shall "collect statistics and facts 



H. Doc. 92, pt. 3 35 



