Lyman Enos Knapp - Governorship

Governorship

Knapp was appointed Governor of the District of Alaska by President Benjamin Harrison, his term beginning on April 20, 1889. At the time of his appointment, many Alaskans desired a resident governor and were disappointed receiving an "outsider". The district did however see a number of improvements during his administration. Postal service was extended with the creation of over 1,600 miles (2,600 km) of new mail routes. Knapp also helped establish a historical society and library.

On the legal front, Knapp asked for Alaska to be granted a Delegate to the U.S. Congress. He also supported creation of a commission to revise the district's legal code and, arguing that lack of clear land possession discouraged improvements, lobbied for a revision of the land possession laws. To help maintain law and order, Knapp help organize both a militia and Indian police. The former turned into a source of amusement for some area residents due to the governor's predilection for dressing in his military uniform and watch the militia parade before him.

During his term, an international dispute over seal fisheries reached a zenith. The United States, claiming that seals from Alaska were being killed by Canadian and other ships on the high seas, had seized several ships and brought them to Sitka. Arbitration to resolve the dispute was agreed to in 1891 between Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. As a result a set of restrictions was imposed on seal hunting near Alaska. Knapp was replaced as governor on August 29, 1893 following the appointment of James Sheakley by President Grover Cleveland.