Presidents -- United States -- Messages; United States -- Politics and government -- Sources
I call your special attention to the Territory of Alaska. The country
is developing rapidly, and it has an assured future. The mineral wealth
is great and has as yet hardly been tapped. The fisheries, if wisely
handled and kept under national control, will be a business as
permanent as any other, and of the utmost importance to the people. The
forests if properly guarded will form another great source of wealth.
Portions of Alaska are fitted for farming and stock raising, although
the methods must be adapted to the peculiar conditions of the country.
Alaska is situated in the far north; but so are Norway and Sweden and
Finland; and Alaska can prosper and play its part in the New World just
as those nations have prospered and played their parts in the Old
World. Proper land laws should be enacted; and the survey of the public
lands immediately begun. Coal-land laws should be provided whereby the
coal-land entryman may make his location and secure patent under
methods kindred to those now prescribed for homestead and mineral
entrymen. Salmon hatcheries, exclusively under Government control,
should be established. The cable should be extended from Sitka
westward. Wagon roads and trails should be built, and the building of
railroads promoted in all legitimate ways. Light-houses should be built
along the coast. Attention should be paid to the needs of the Alaska
Indians; provision should be made for an officer, with deputies, to
study their needs, relieve their immediate wants, and help them adapt
themselves to the new conditions.
The commission appointed to investigate, during the season of 1903, the
condition and needs of the Alaskan salmon fisheries, has finished its
work in the field, and is preparing a detailed report thereon. A
preliminary report reciting the measures immediately required for the
protection and preservation of the salmon industry has already been
submitted to the Secretary of Commerce and Labor for his attention and
for the needed action.
I recommend that an appropriation be made for building light-houses in
Hawaii, and taking possession of those already built. The Territory
should be reimbursed for whatever amounts it has already expended for
light-houses. The governor should be empowered to suspend or remove any
official appointed by him, without submitting the matter to the
legislature.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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