224 FUK-SKAL FIHHEKIES OF ALASKA. 



lie was in authority just as mucli as I was, aud I told him I would 

 uot have it; that there must be a head. 



He weuc to Mr. Morgau and Mr. Morgan informed him that the com- 

 pany would have to look to somebody as a head and that they would 

 look to me for orders. If the commission would read, "Agent-in-chief 

 and his lirst, second, aud third assistants," the authority would not be 

 defied. This is on account of the islands being far apart — 40 miles, 

 over a rough sea. An assistant agent can't see the chief once a year. 

 The governorship of affairs on the island of St. George should not be 

 interfered with unless it should be submitted to the Secretary of the 

 Treasury. 



Mr. Felton. I understand you to say there are two agents on the 

 island at one time'? 



The Witness. Yes; from the 1st of June until about the 10th of 

 August. 



Q. Was there any necessity for them ? — A. They are sent there for 

 this reason : To assist during the sealing season and to stay the follow- 

 ing wiuter. It has been the rule for an agent to stay one winter and 

 the other the next. If you go there in June you are there during the 

 sealing season. The company's ship does not take the other agent off 

 until the end of the sealing season. 



Q. There is no necessity for but one being there"? — A. But you could 

 uot send the other away. 



Q. Why not ? — A. Because the Government ship goes up about the 

 1st of May and don't return until September. 



Q. But I am talking about a Government matter. — A. The Govern- 

 ment could not send up unless it sent a special revenue-cutter in Au- 

 gust, and that would be an expensive matter, to send a cutter for two 

 agents. Besides, there are only sixty days between the coming and go- 

 ing of the company's ship. 



Q. Then why should he have any authority until the other man has 

 left ? It should be arranged that way ; for instance, you are in charge 

 aud a man comes to relieve you, and until you left the authority is with 

 you, and after you left the authority is with him — A, Yes, sir ; but 

 where there are two on the island it makes a difference and should be 

 regulated by making the agents agent-in-chief, first, second, aud third 

 assistants. 



The committee here adjourned until Friday at 10 o'clock. 



Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, 



Washington, I). C, December 21, 1888. 



TESTIMONY OF H. A. GLIDDEN. 



By the Chairman : 

 Q. We have recalled you for the purpose of taking your evidence as 

 to the charges and statements made in recent publications in the Nevv 

 York papers (which I presume you have read) in reference to the moral 

 condition of alfairs in Alaska. 1 desire you to state again, if you please, 

 what length of time you were there as special agent, and what truth 

 there may be in these reports as affecting St. Paul and St. George Isl- 

 ands, and how far the Government agents and the agents of the Ahiska 

 Commercial Company are responsible ? — A. I was there from 1882 to 



