The sun., 1896-06-21
Il 0oVERNMESr FOR AIAsKA.
Brighter Prospects or Legislative Repre-
eentation for the Territory.

Tho position Of Alaska in the political system
of the United States Is both exceptional and ex-
asperatfng. Alaska is not q State. 1t Is not a
Territory awaiting at some future time In the
wisdom OF Congress admission into the Union
on terms of equality with the other States. It
is not reserve Territory like the District OF Co.
lumbia, exempted from any OF the burdens of
government and participating in the Govern
ment's expenditures without making any mate
rial contribution TO them. 1t Is not a colony
ruled by Governor or Governor-General and
retaining certain inalienable rights. 1t does not
even rank with the Indian Territory, the resi-
dents OF which are not taxed and have their
own political and judicial systems. Alaska Is.
politically speaking, an unrecogniZed geograph-
ical division, without representation or retained
local power. and permitted to participate only
once In four years at tho National Convention
OF either party.
more than twice the size OF Texas. and its total
population 10 about 350o0-abont the same as
at the st. Louis Convention on Thursday
adopted as one Of the planks OF their platform
the following:
,ssentS,Sn IN thS copsr.;. ol the United SH.
enacted.
The present territory Of Alaska wa. for near.
Z one hundred years under the domination OF
sian American Fur Company. modelled on tho
plan Of tho great East Indian Company. expired
war. This charter had been granted sixty-fve
yesarS5 ys5 preHyionsiy pre- Al nnd anSthe, renewal . was
Inent. While the matter was in controversy
the United States became a bidder. in n friendly
way for Alaska and purchased that territory
Tor S7aOo.ooo cash. While Alaska is large
place. the meagreness Of Its population and tho
Msuttsns MStfs indiens Shlnamepp peoRRf RRn:sans a0d
other white settlersl have been snch that Con-
vision for a laska toward the establishment OF n
definite political system. From 1857 to 1884
m Ss ngas military "a sg!hor and SHo
2uered province. though IN view Of the method
Government, the Secretary of the Treasury.
would seem 70 have been better lifted to the
the last year of President Arthur's, Admins
tration. Alssta was made a land dis;
ihsrs and resident. Governor and local
officers were sppoip.ed This aoyernoT owe:
sses Ills 20 Is four SssTs and D he
a salary OF $4,000 . yesrns2, 600 less than is
duties OF Lioutenant- -Governor and Secretary OF
State and gets therefor salary Of S2,5oo. Tho
United States District Judge. His name Is
Warren Truitt, and he gets $4,000 year. paid
When tlO aw tablishing tho civil govern.
II was provided that all the stat utes OF the State
Alaska thereafter so far as they were applicable
to tho territory on the Pacific. At that time Ore
but It is such no longer. for Washington, to tho
north OF Oregon, has since been admitted aud
this anomalous cond ition Is therefore found: A
Territory on the Pacific taking It's laws from a
state at some distance. and its officials
from tho city OF Washington, ID. e.
The other Territories OF the country.
whether acquired by purchase or otherwise.
have each OF them q representative re In Congress-
TO speak for them and to represent their In
terestA and to make known their wants. but
Alaska has been without such n representative.
The Republicans in st. Louis have now com
mitted themselves 10 the policy OF recognizing
Alaska in this regard. and It Is thought quite
probable by many that tho Democrats in rhi-
cago win do likewise. just now the mining in
terests Of Alaska are being developed and are
overshRdowing the fur industry.
ThoTasH slater1s ocer page &. main sheet 10 .
beacon OF hops 70 all men.-Adp.