S34 FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



civilization should be encouraged. It is the desire and hope of the company to so 

 elevate, civilize, and benetit these people as to make a "ood example before theVorld. 

 You will see by the papers sent yon herewith what libels have been published against 

 the company, and you will then see the propriety of so managing on the islands that 

 such charges can not be truthfally made, even in the smallest matters. 



Q. What amoant of s))irituous liquors are allowed upon the islands ? — 

 A. Only such an amount as is required for medical purposes, and that Is 

 obtained by a requisition of the physicians on the islands, approved by 

 the Treasury agent. We generally send to St. Paul two cases of whisky 

 (twenty-four bottles), about 5 gallons of port wine, and from 1 to 4 gal- 

 lons of brandy, and sometimes a case or two of light wines for our table 

 on holidays. 



Q. Who has charge of that on the islands ? — A. The doctor, if he be 

 reliable. For St. George the amount is about one-half or two thirds 

 that for St. Paul. The church has annually about 10 gallons of port 

 wine at each island for sacramental purposes. Exactly what use is 

 made of it all I do not know. That invariably goes to the priest, and 

 we know nothing further of it. It is sent uj) there by theEussian con- 

 sistoiy of Alaska from San Francisco. 



Q. You say the liquor is all in charge of the physicians; are they 

 worthy men "? — A. On two occasions they have proved unworthy, and 

 the liquor was taken from them by the agent until better men took 

 their places. 



Q. Something was stated here by a witness in relation to the com- 

 pany paying salaries to Government agents. — A. I suppose the witness 

 referred to Dr. Noyes, who was appointed by Special Agent Tingle as 

 his acting assistant agent until the place could be regularly supplied by 

 the Treasury Department. 



Q. It was stated by Mr. Gavitt that the company paid salaries to 

 . Mr. Falconer, Mr. Glidden, and others I — A. That is false. The only 

 Government ofiicer to whom we have paid any money was Mr. Fal- 

 coner, when he was employed to do certain mechanical work. We had 

 no one else present at the time who could do it, and he kindly con- 

 sented to help us. He was a mason by trade, and laid chimneys, 

 foundations, etc., for us. 



The Chairman. Mr. Gavitt said someone told him that that was the 

 case. He did not testify of his own knowledge ; he stated that he had 

 hear such rumors. 



By Mr. Jeffries : 



Q. It was stated by Mr. Gavitt that a man was sent by the company's 

 agent to watch the rookeries. How is it as to that ? — A. I do not know 

 about that specific case, but it is the custom of the Government agent 

 in charge to detail the native watchman. It is the business of the Gov- 

 ernment to take care of the rookeries. The company has nothing to do 

 with it, except that our physician, when asked, certifies whether the 

 man detailed is fit for duty. 



Q. Who are the teachers on the island of St. George ? — A. The teach- 

 ers on the two islands are, at St. Paul, Charles C. Mead, and at St. 

 George, Harry N. Clark. They are both graduates of the State Nor- 

 mal School of Vermont, and from that school hold certificates entitling 

 them to teach in the schools of Vermont without examination at any 

 time within five years after graduating. 



Q. As a ma'ter of fact they are competent teachers? — A. Yes, sir. 

 They were engaged in teaching in Vermont before going to the seal 

 islands. 



Q. Mr. Gavitt said that Mr. Clark was a drinking man. — A. That is 



