AMERICAN MANAGEMENT. 145 



lion, which Europe and America need not feel improvement, 

 ashamed to find among their citizens.* 



The civil o;-overnment of the islands is provided Govemmeut 



^ ^ ageuts. 



for by sections 1973-1976 of the Revised Stat- 

 utes of the United States/ under which the agent 

 and his assistants are practically the governors 

 of the islands. Tliey have the entire control of 

 the natives, protect them from the impositions of 

 the lessees' agents, if such are attempted, and 

 see that the supplies required by law for their 

 sustenance are provided. The handling of the 

 seals on the islands, being entirely done by the 

 natives, is directly under the supervision of the 

 Government agents. 



With the expiration of the Alaska Commercial Lease of 1890. 

 Company's lease the United States Treasury De- 

 partment again advertised for and received ten 

 formal bids, which were carefully considered, 

 and in 1890 the Grovernmeiit leased the seal 

 islands for another period of twenty years to the 

 present lessees. The North American Commer- 

 cial Company, which was decided to be the 

 most advantageous bidder for the Government. 



* N. B. — It slioulcl be observed that the affidavits of natives on 

 the Pribilof Islands are signed by them, and that they have not 

 simply ''made their cross," as would be the method employed by 

 many citizens of the civilized nations of the world. 



' Vol. I, p. 98. 



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