Stikeen River journal., 1898-12-03
THIS IS A GOOD THING
And We Will Help to Push It
 Along.

The following afllclc lahcu lipn lilc Sitka "Alaskan" is timely and to the point:
 In the coming month of December Congress will meet, but it is not likely that much. if anything, will be done as the House will adjourn for the holi- days. Now, however, is the time for the needs of Alaska; people. Our po- sition. at present, is similar to that of some poor. miserable child who has been neglected by its brutal mother and whose outcry for care and susten- unce is totally unhccded. What is the reason of this neglect? Perhaps no in- ycstment in the history of the world ever brought in such returns as that of the purchase of Alaska The seven millions expended has been repaid over and over again, and directly from the resources of the territory. No pecun- iary aid no subsidy has ever been re- questcd of the government and all for which We have ever asked is that the Homestead Laws be extended to the District. that Il delegate be received in Congress to represent Us and that the notoriously obnoxious liquor law be re- pealed. Now, in our mind. We are doubtful as to the propriety of asking to much at once. We have always been of the opinion that it is better to go slowly in such important matters and seek only for one grant at Il time. Had this been originally carried out We cer- tainly believe that one of the three re- quirements would have been attended to. True the Land Laws have assumed some shape but We seem as far away from homestead laws as we were in the beginning. What would be the result of this same law being passed? Why it is plain that the country would become more thickly settled cnd within d very short period We could claim the right of territorial government. People are shy of attempting to make d home in Il country where they are likely, at any moment. to be e jeeted from that home at tile will and pleasure of the govern mcnt. In every other country if Il man fence in d piece of land and build unto himself d house thereon he turns with pride to it and eXclaims .'this is my homc. Here he cannot do so. Uncle Sam will say you may squat there if you like, but, eventually may require that home of yours and although l may partially remunerate you for the inn provements you have seen fit to make, you will have to git Now had We. in the first instance, asked solely for d de- lcgate he could have represented all this in the proper quarter and at the proper time, and one boon being grant od others would be likely to follow.
 But it cannot be denied, the vexed question is that of the liquor law. Ar ticle 3d Treaty of Cc-sion of Alaska to the United States by Russia, dated March Both, lS67 reads:
 The inhabitants of the ceded territory ac- cording to their choice reserving their natural allegiance may return to Russia within three years but if they should prefer to remain in the cedcd territory. they, with the exception of the uncvized native tribes. shall be admitted to the enjoyment of all the rights advantages and immunites of citizens of the United States and shall be maintained and protected in the free enjoyment of their liberty property and religion.
 As far back as lsS5 THE ALASKAN said"At this date the inhabitants of the ceded territory have no voice in any legislative body by which the de- fleets in her anomalous civil govern ment can be remedied and no means of acquiring title to a home in Alaska"
 And now at this date, thirteen years having elapsed, it is the same story.
 Not only are the Russians mot ad- mitted to the enjoyments of all the rights, advantages and immunities of citizens of the United States" but even born Americans are excluded from the privilege. We have no more ''rights' nor advantages" than the 'nncivilzed tribes We are treated by our own government as if we were Indians. What argument can the government bring to bear upon this question in it's favor? None. Thousands of dollars are spent annually in the Customs ser vice to prevent the importation of in- toxicating liquors and with all this ex- penditure of public money, of our mon- ey in fact, every Revenue officer and every citizen knows that the contra band article comes into the district in hundreds of gallons and all the prevent