FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 233 



liar (lisijositiou, however, as he prefers living on those ishxnds to living' 

 down in civilization. 



Q. Did you learn whether he was a man of good or bad moral char- 

 acter ? — A. I never heard anything detrimental to his character while 

 I was on the islands. 



Q. The other agents of the company were men of fairly good moral 

 character — not bad menf — A. I should judge that they were men of as 

 good character as can be found anywhere of that class of employes. 



By Mr. Macdonald : 

 Q. You speak now of what you heard of their reputation ? — A. Yes, 

 sir; I never heard anything detrimental to them. I never heard their 

 moral character questioned. 



By the Chaieman : 



Q. It has been testified to here that they were men who had no re- 

 gard for the chastity of the nativ^e females there. Have you heard any 

 stories of outrages of females by any of the agents there ? — A. I never 

 heard anything of the kind. I do not know anything of it. I do not 

 think it would be tolerated by the company if it should be known. Some 

 of the employes of the company have been there seventeen or eighteen 

 years, and if they were guilty of any such thing they would have heeu 

 discharged and sent away. 



Q Is it your opinion that the Alaska Commercial Company, by rea- 

 son of having this lease for the exclusive taking of fur seals, exerts a 

 general influence over the Territory that is detrimental to the public 

 interests ? — A. I have not observed anything of the kind. 



Q. Have you visited most of the trading stations? — A. I visited 

 four of them. 



Q. Is it your opinion that the operations of the company have a mis- 

 chievous or a detrimental inliueuce? — A. No, sir; I never heard any- 

 thing of the kind. 



Q. What is the general opinion of good people as to whether it is 

 mischievous ? — A. People who know from personal observation gener- 

 ally speak well of the company. The company have no exclusive busi- 

 ness except on the seal islands. All other places are free to any man 

 or company to go there and open stations. 



By Mr. MACDONALD : 



Q. How long have you been engaged by the Government in that 

 country? — A. Two seasons; 18S7 and 1888. I was ordered there in 

 1887 on the revenue steamer Rush. 



Q. As the result of your observations, and the information you gath- 

 ered while there, what is your opinion as to the future effect or result 

 with reference to the taking and killing of fnr seals ? If the present con- 

 dition of things is allowed to continue, will it result in the extermina- 

 tion of the seals, or will the supply continue or diminish? — A. If ves- 

 sels are allowed to go into the sea and capture seals in the water it is 

 only a matter of a very short time when they must become extinct. 



Q. Assuming for the moment that there is no contract, with the pres- 

 ent condition of things contijiuing, what is your opinion as to the ulti- 

 mate effect upon the seal fisheries, and have you any suggestions to 

 make ? — A. I do not see how the business can be conducted in any bet- 

 ter way than it lias been since the company has had this lease. 



Q. I was not asking the question for the purpose of criticising the 

 company. — A. I mean if a new lease be made, or one similar to the one 

 which has been in effect for the last twenty years. 



