was soon learned by those anxious to know that the vessel was the Rush, and it was surmised that she was there for a purpose. Next morning early, and before anyone had gone ashore, the Rev. Albin Johnson, the Swedish missionary, hearing a rapping at his door, and being still, he wondered what could be the reason for such an early call. He knew his caller's voice, and upon admitting him he learned that this early riser wanted to get married right away. He had been living with a native girl about eight years and had not been married, but at last he thought he ought. Four other white men deemed it proper to follow this early riser, so they were married at different hours during the day. When the party from the Rush went ashore and fetched up at the mission, it did not take long to learn how badly they were frightened by the violence and drunkenness which they had seen of late. The commissioner opened his court and had hearings for two days. Six were sentenced to serve time in jail at Sitka. One native was fined $40, and one bound over to the district court for bigamy. The captain of the schooner was convicted of selling whisky and sentenced to six months in jail. All were sent aboard the Rush, and within thirty-six hours after leaving Yakutat they were landed in prison to serve out their sentences. This is the first time that the law has been enforced at that place. The natives had become bold, and believed that they could not or would not be punished. And most of the whites who are there reasoned that as the law never had been enforced it probably never would, or at least they would take chances. The above details are given only to show the necessity for the services of such a vessel. In the case of the Rush the service is effective, because her captain believes in enforcing the law and punishing evil doers, and believes in giving these native people every uplift possible. NAVY. The U. S. S. Concord was ordered from Yokohama to Unalaska for patrol duty in that quarter. The amount of shipping that goes north through Unimak Pass is very large, and it increases year by year. Many of these vessels on their return carry great quantities of bul lion. The presence of an American man-of-war tends to preserve law and order. It is the strong arm, and can be raised to protect, if necessary. A company of marines is stationed at Sitka, with a captain and lieutenant as commissioned officers. Their quarters are in the town, and they have improved them a great deal this past summer. They are, however, too cramped for room for such a force. It would be better to change to Japonsky Island, which is a beautiful location and affords room for all purposes, and, besides, it is a naval reservation. On this island there is a new wharf, and in connection with this there is now under process of construction coal sheds with a capacity of 2,500 tons. There has been built a shell house and magazine. As the Navy is going to this large expense, it would certainly be the best policy to center all of its interests upon Japonsky Island. ARMY. All the posts have gotten into their new quarters and have settled down to a steady routine of daily duties. Some complaint has been made of the demoralizing influence the soldiers have had upon the natives near Fort Gibbon. Captain Abercrombie has been pushing on toward Eagle from Valdez with his trail. Cre fe TELEGRAPHS. In connection with the Army is the work of constructing telegraphs by the Signal Corps. The cable from St. Michael to Nome had been broken and was out of use most of the season. The last papers brought the news that it had been repaired and was at work again. The telegraph is working from St. Michael to Nulato. The steamboat people find this a very great help. There is outside wire connection to Dawson. Eagle is connected with Dawson, and a cable has been laid from Skagway to Juneau. This has met with some mishap and is not working. The line out of Eagle toward Valdez is finished for 40 miles, and from Valdez to Eagle, 100 miles. Construction from Nulato toward Fort Gibbon is under way and will probably be finished this fall. It is hoped that in the very near future all points in the district will be united by wire, and that we shall be joined to the United States by an American ocean cable. UNALASKA. Along this commercial highway is one of the worlds' strategic points, Unalaska. To appreciate this just sit down with a pair of dividers by a large globe and study awhile. Our military engineers should be sent there to plan for proper defensive works. The Seward Peninsula, the Yukon and Kuskokwim valleys are destined to draw and support large populations. Unimak Pass is the gateway for traffic along the shores of Bering Sea. Through this pass will be found the shortest course for vessels in the oriental trade. Dutch Harbor is probably the key to the situation in this quarter. We should plan at once for all necessary means of defense. CABLE. This Alaska should be connected to the United States by cable. should be laid out in the bed of the ocean and landings made at certain points. A cable to Dutch Harbor is a necessity if we attempt to fortify any place in the vicinity. A cable along the north shore of the Pacific would be of immense service to the Weather Bureau and to the commerce of the whole seaboard. It will be a great instrument in helping to govern the country well. COMMERCE. Cable communications with the Philippines should be by the way of Alaska, because it is the shortest and over the best ocean bed, but principally because the great pathway of commerce will be along the northern route. Alaska is bound to be a very great factor in swelling the volume of this commerce. The great ships that go to Siberia, Japan, China, and India will find it profitable to call at Alaskan ports. They will not travel over thousands of miles of ocean waste, when they can make the distance in quicker time by circling around a coast that can furnish valuable cargoes. The United States needs and must have larger markets, and our surest outlet is to reach the millions of consumers in the Orient. The creation of a few wants will keep us employed. One bag of flour or a few pounds of cotton per capita would make a tremendous traffic. The door is opening. MAGNETIC OBSERVATORY. The United States Coast and Geodetic Survey completed, during the month of October, the construction of two magnetic observatory buildings at Sitka. They are situated on a knoll on a piece of land adjacent to the Russian cemetery. The site was chosen with reference to freedom from all present and future disturbances and abnormalities of a magnetic nature, which might be due to character of ground, to masses of iron, factories, or electrical plates. The purpose of the observatories is to furnish a base or reference station for all magnetic work done in Alaska and to carry on a series of uninterrupted observations by automatic photographic methods, in connection with similar observations of other observatories established elsewhere, and observations undertaken by exploring parties in the polar regions. This The larger of the two buildings is the variation observatory. consists essentially of a small room in which the instruments are placed, surrounded and inclosed by the main system of walls, an air passage of a couple of feet separating the walls and ceilings of the inner and outer structures. All walls, ceilings, and floors are doubled and filled in with a wide packing of sawdust and have an elaborate system of ventilation. By this means it is hoped to maintain in the observing room a constant uniform temperature and to exclude moisture. Instruments of the most recent and delicate character have been furnished for the work. By them will be kept a constant photographic record of the various elements of the magnetic force, showing the variations in horizontal and vertical direction and intensity. The smaller or absolute observatory will be used in connection with the variation observatory to obtain at fixed moments of time the exact amount of variation and intensity for the reduction of the photographic records of the main observatory. It will be used also for testing instruments and for special observations of various scientific and practical nature. The causes and modifying influences of the magnetic force will be studied. The general and special distribution of the magnetic force in Alaska will be studied, and will be of great benefit to the mariner and surveyor. Dr. Lewis Bauer, chief of the magnetic division of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, was here last year, and planned for this important undertaking. He left an observer, who recorded observations throughout the year. Dr. Harry W. Edmonds is now in charge of this deli cate work. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. Mr. Charles D. Walcott, the Director of this office, has laid out comprehensive plans for this work, and much has already been accomplished. There are several parties at work now in the field. Their reports throw much light upon the mineral resources, and those who are interested in this subject will do well to read closely the various reports of this office. COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY. Mention has already been made of the magnetic observatory just completed at Sitka. It is under this Bureau. Notice should also be taken of the work which is in progress on the Patterson and the Gedney. They have been at work this sum mer and early fall in Cross Sound and Icy Straits, and will doubtless finish that area before they start south for the winter. Trade and commerce have been extending so rapidly that need is felt for accurate charts in many places, such as Prince William Sound, Cordova Bay, and the west coast of Prince of Wales. WEST POINT AND ANNAPOLIS. There are boys in this district who wish to have an opportunity to attend these institutions. Provisions should be made allowing Alaska representation in them. OFFICIAL DIRECTORY OF ALASKA. DISTRICT GOVERNMENT. Governor: J. G. Brady. United States judges: Melville C. Brown, district No. 1, seat at Juneau; Arthur H. Noyes, district No. 2, seat at St. Michael; James Wickersham, district No. 3, seat at Eagle City. United States attorneys: Robert A. Friedrich, district No. 1; Joseph K. Wood, A. M. Post. Clerk, district No. 1, W. J. Hills; deputy at Juneau, J. C. Gibson; deputy at Skagway, J. J. Rogers. United States marshals: James M. Shoup, district No. 1; F. H. Richards, district No. 2; G. G. Perry, district No. 3. Commissioners: Hiram H. Folsom, Juneau; F. P. Tustin, Wrangell; Edward de Groff, Sitka; Phillip Gallagher, Kodiak; C. A. Sehlbrede, Skagway; D. W. Figgins, Ketchikan; A. R. Mackintosh, Haines Mission; George M. Griton, Porcupine; L. R. Gillette, Douglas; John Lyons, Port Valdez; B. W. Brooks, Homer. Deputy marshals: W. H. McNair, chief office deputy; W. S. Staley, office deputy, Juneau; John W. Snook, Skagway; W. E. Grant, Wrangell; John McElheny, Ketchikan; Edward E. Hasey, Valdes; Lewis L. Bowers, Unga; Joe Edmonds, Douglas; Peter Nisson, Porcupine. Names and addresses of United States commissioners. Special deputy: W. D. McNair, Sitka. Deputy collectors: F. E. Bronson, Sitka; John M. Tenny, Juneau; J. H. Causten, Wrangell; John R. Beegle, Ketchikan; Claud B. Cannon, Kodiak; Frederick Sargent, Karluk; J. F. Sinnott, Unga; William Gauntlet, Unalaska; E. T. Hatch, St. Michael; Charles Smith, Circle City; G. A. Waggoner, White Pass; John Goodell, Orca; C. L. Andrews, Skagway; S. T. Penberthy, Homer. SURVEYOR-GENERAL'S OFFICE. Wm. L. Distin, surveyor-general, Sitka, Alaska. W. F. Jeffreys, stenographer, typewriter, and correspondence clerk, Sitka, Alaska. Martin George, draftsman, Sitka, Alaska. The following is a complete list of United States deputy surveyors who have furnished bonds: Ashford, Geo. H. Gurnee, Clinton Heinze, Herman Heinze, Paul Whitworth, F. H. |