550 ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 



they have pleaded in vain for that which tliey should have received without the 

 asking. They have no law for the collection of debts, the support of education, the 

 conveyance of property, the administration of estates, or tlie enforcement o# con- 

 tracts; none, indeed, for the punishment of criminals, except such as offend against 

 certain customs, commerce, and navigation acts. The resources of Alaska, especially 

 in fur, mines, and lumber, are considerable in extent, and capable of large develop- 

 ment, while its geographical situation is one of political and commercial importance. 

 The promptings of interest, therefore, as well as considerations of honor and good 

 faith, demand the immediate establishment of civil government in that Territory. 



Spurred by the tens of thousands of petitions, as well as the repeated 

 messages of the President, Messrs. Miller, Piatt, Harrison, Rosecrans, 

 Phelps, and others introduced bills either in the Senate or House of 

 Eepresentatives for establishing* a civil government of some sort for 

 the Territory, which resulted in the adoption of what is known as the 

 Harrison bill, creating a government and schools in Alaska, which 

 became a law on May 17, 1884. Thus culminated my long struggle, 

 from 1877 to 1884, for education and civil government in Alaska, during 

 which I delivered over 900 addresses on Alaska, held public meetings 

 in all the leading cities from the Atlantic to the Pacific, had hearings 

 before the committees of the Forty-sixth, Forty-seventh, and Forty- 

 eighth Congresses, besides securing the cooperation of the missionary 

 societies and the educational interests of the entire country. 



The "campaign of education" that secured from Congress schools 

 for Alaska also secured the extension of law and government over 

 that section.^ 



' The Hon. .John Eaton, LL. D., then Commissioner of Education, in his annual 

 repoit for 1882-83 (pp. xlv, xlvi,) says : 



"As this report is going through the press, the Rouse of Representatives, on the 

 14th of May, 1884, passed the Senate bill providing a civil government for Alaska, 

 which was signeil by the President on the 17th. This act creates a governor at a 

 salary of $3,000, a judge at $3,000, a district attorney at $2,500, a marshal at $2,500, 

 a clerk at $2,500, four commissioners at $1,000 each and fees, and four deputy marshals 

 at $750 each and fees. These officers are appointed by the President, with the excep- 

 tion of the deputy marshals, who are appointed by the marshal. The seat of gov- 

 ernment is established at Sitka. The four commissioners and four deputy marshals 

 are to reside respectively at Sitka, Wrangell, .Juneau, and Unalaska. 



"The laws of Oregon, so far as applicable, are extended over the district. A term 

 of tlie district court is to be held each year at Sitka, commencing on tho lirst jMou- 

 day of May, and one at Wrangell, beginning on the first Monday in November. No 

 provision is made for a territorial legislature or a Delegate in Congress. The general 

 land laws of the United States are not extended over the country. The squatter 

 rights of Indians and others are recognized. Mission stations are continued in the 

 occupancy of the 640 acres now claimed by them. The owners of mining claims can 

 perfect their titles in the usual way. 



"The governor is required to inquire into the operations of the Alaska Commercial 

 Company and annually report to Congress the result of siich inquiries and any and 

 all violations by said company of the agreement existing between the United States 

 and said company. 



" The Secretary of the Interior is directed to select two of the officers, who, together 

 with the governor, shall constitute a commission to examine into and report upon 

 the condition of the Indians residing in said Territory; what lands, if any, shonhl 

 be reserved for their use; what provision shall be made for their education ; what 

 riglits by occupation of settlers should be recognized, and all other facts that may 

 be necessary to enable Congress to determine what limitations or conditions should 

 be imposed when the land laws of tho United States shall be extended to said district. 



" The importation, manufacture, and sale of intoxicating liquors in said district, 

 except for medicinal, mechanical, and scientific ]nirposes, are ])rohibited. 



" The Secretary of the Interior is directed to make needful and proper provision 

 for the education of the children of school age in the Territory of Alaska, without 

 reference to race, until such time as permanent provision shall be made for the same, 

 and the sum of $25,000 is appropriated for this purpose. 



" Thus, after seventeen years of delay, a government has been secured for Alaska. 

 In respect to this successful result this Bureau has endeavored to do its whole duty 

 by obtaining trustworthy information in regard to tlie condition of tlie inhabitants 



