Stikeen River journal., 1898-11-12
lnsersoll Speaks to the Point,

Wrangcl, Alaska, Nov. 10, 1898. Alr. Editor:
 Allow me through the columns of your valuable paper to give to the pub lie the able remarks made by Mr. (. F.. lnTcrsoll. of the firm of Clark X Inger- soil, on Monday night at the Chamber of Commerce meeting. The following remarks were taken by
 ONE WHO WAS THERE.
 "Mr. Chairman:-Them motion desire to make deals with the passing of Can adian goods through thls town into Canadian territory. Now. to pave the way for it's introduction and consider aton by this board. l feel it incumbent upon me to criticise the peculiar idea that many members have regarding the legitimate scope of the powers of the Chamber of Commerce. Several weeks ago there appeared in our leading newspaper an article purporting to set forth series of interviews held with various members of the Chamber of Commerce. in which the board was bitterly arraigned for taking up the consideration of questions foreign to the purpose of it's organization and in compatible with the legitimate duties of such a body. A prominent physician of this town was accused of pervertng the real object and scope of the Cham Der of Commerce by strenuously push ing before the attention of the board the imperative necessity of improving the sanitary condition of the town.
 Il remember in the early infancy of the Chamber, of urging the pressing necessity of organizing d local police board to protect the public interests. ard have not forgotten the howl of protest l encountered. l do not think these measures should be considered at the present time. But do wish to say in eXtenuation of the Doctors and my own temerity, that at the time We urg- ed our measures. this town was over crowded with people from all sections of the world, representing all shades of society and morality. With careless indifference they were scattering all over the town the refuse from the kitch- en. dead carcases of beasts and all manner of filth. The doctor. with that keen penetration and forethought, that shows the practical man of experience and thought. realized that nature alone was our savior. He knew that as soon as the frost left the ground and the warm winds from the Japanese currents swept over the place the key would be turned. the door would open and there would issue forth and permeate the at mosphere of this town the foul germs of disease and the active breeders of pes tilence and epidemic We were both acting upon the preconceived idea that ''an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.'
 "Now, Mr. Chairman, what desire to state is this: Wrangel is not New
 
 have available neither the men nor the finances requisite to enable us to form the various boards there found to re- present the various public wants. The people of this town look upon the Chamber of Commerce as the medium through which they can express their = hn centrated action for the public welfare. And firmly believe that, if the Cham Der of Commerce does so far depart from precedent and transgress the le- gltlmate bounds of the recognized scope of the duties of such an organization as to consider every question appertain- ing to the public welfare and material advancement of the town, the citizens of this place will forgive us our tres- passes and hold up their hands in ap- proval and exclam "well done my good and faithful servant"
 "Mr. Chairman, if you will allow me to dlgress, l wish you would grab this Chamber of Commerce by the should CTS and give it a good hearty shake and see if you cannot arouse it from the long lethargic sleep it has been enioy- ing The criticisms in this respect are unanswerable. For over nine months this chamber has been in being, and during that time it has accomplished nothing but useless organization and reorganization and the passing of re- solutions as to what it ought not to do. We must certainly realize that we are