ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 549 



February 15, 1882, the President transmitted to Congress a communication from the 

 Secretary of the Interior recommending that an appropriation of $50,000 be made 

 for tlffe establishment and maintenance of schools in Alaska, and that the honorable 

 Secretary of the Interior proposed to make to the coming Congress a recommendation 

 for industrial schools in that country; therefore we join in the earnest request of 

 the better portion of the American people that an appropriation be made for the 

 establishment of an industrial training school similar to those at Carlisle and 

 Hampton, at Sitka, the capital. Also for the establishment, under the direction of 

 the national IJureau of Education, of schools at the thin centers of population in 

 Alaska. That copies of this paper, signed by the president and secretary of this 

 association, be transmitted t!> the honorable Secretary of the Interior and to l)oth 

 Houses of Congress. 



The same resolution was presented and adopted at the New Hamp- 

 shire State Teachers' Association the following day. 



Massachusetts brought up the rear at her State Teachers' Association 

 in session at Boston, December 27 to 29: 



Rrsolred, That this association cordially seconds the efforts of those who arc striv- 

 ing to induce the Congress of the United States to appropriate money for public 

 education in the Territory of Alaska. 



This list of educational conventions was crowned by a mass meeting 

 held in Park Street Congregational Church in Boston on Sabbath even- 

 ing, December 30. It was to have been presided over by Hon. Wendell 

 Phillips, but being prevented from attending, Mr. Joseph Cook took his 

 l)lace. Mr. Phillips, however, showed his special interest by sending 

 to the mass meeting the following letter, which was his last public letter 

 on earth — a fit closing for his noble life. As his strength had been 

 si:)ent for the freedom of the slaves and the deliverance of the oppressed, 

 it was suitable that his last public act should be a plea for Alaska. 



Boston, Mass, Decemher 29, 1883 

 Mv Dkau Sir : What excuse the United States Government can offer for leaving 

 Alaska without magistracy or schools passes my Cdnjecture. 



For some fourteen or fifteen years we have owed her a government and received 

 large revenue from the Territory. Still it remains withoixt law, magistracy, or schools. 

 If it were so poor a country that we dreaded the expense of a government we might 

 make some pretense of explanation — though in any circumstance we are bound to 

 protect life and property wherever our flag floats, and see that the rising generation 

 are fitted for citizenship and the duties of life. But Alaska has poured millions into 

 the Treasury, and one-third of what we have annually received would sufiice for the 

 whole expense of a government and schools. If we were called upon to make a 

 beginning and introduce law and education there might be a shadow of excuse in 

 this delay. But Russia liad provided for both, and when we bought the province we 

 had but to continue what she had established. From every point of view the condition 

 of Alaska is a disgrace to our Government, and calls for immediate action. Cease to 

 receive revenue from Alaska or give her an equivalent by protecting life and prop- 

 erty, securing peace, and offering to every man, woman, and child the means of fitting 

 themselves for citizenship and their duties. If we have not leisure to attend to our 

 citizens, then, as the woman said to Philip of Macedon, "Cease to be King." I wish 

 I could bo with you to-iuorrow evening and give my aid in urging all this on the 

 immediate attention of Congress. 

 Yours, respectfully, 



Wendell Phillips. 

 Rev. Sheldon Jackson. 



With the hearty action and request of the l^ational Education Asso- 

 ciation, already quoted, petitions were printed by the hundred thousand 

 and .sent to the i)ublic school teachers of the United States, large num- 

 bers of whom secured signatures in their respective sections, and then 

 sent them to Congress. Accompanying these. President Arthur, on 

 the 4th of December, 18S3, in his message to Congress, says: 



I trust that Congress will not fail at the present session to put Alaska under the 

 protection of law. Its people have repeatedly remonstrated against our neglect to 

 afford them the maintenance and profcecriou expressly guaranteed by the terms of 

 the treaty whereby that Territory was ceded to the'United States. For sixteen years 



