The daily morning Alaskan., 1900-02-22
WHY CONGRESS IS SLOW.

For the tardiness which congress has shown in the recognition ot Alaska's legislative needs. much ot the blame, as our fellow citizen Mir. Dautrick points out on another page, lies at our own door. The lack of a unanimity of sentiment on the part of Alaskans as to what arc the pressing needs of the District has been one of the most en- barassiug stumbling blocks in our path of progress in the past, and, from what Mir. Dautrick says, still remains,
 This is particularly unfortunate at the present, when the personal knowl' edge of those ot the statesmen who wis., tied here last summer has permeated the opinions of others in congress, and led it to be iavorably inclined to grant ing Alaska whatever seems just and proper. "Only agree on what you peo' pie want, congress says to the citizens of this far northern country, 'and we will try to give it to you"
 Then came the difficulty. Inc peO- pie who went from Alaska in the past Co represent their personal interests and pretended 10 represent Alaska sem timent, never could agree; because each was seeking some personal advan- tage over the other. Up to last spring, when taxes were levied upon every thing in Alaska except the climate, the sentiment of Juneau and Douglas lsland-though this was not unanimous was in favor of leaving things much as they were. The mine owners and the leading business men did not be- Heve in representation or in municipal corporation, for the reason that, though they might be good for Alaska and as- sist in it's growth and progress, fl either were brought about it would mean tax atiOn in some form. and this the gen. tlemen mentioned personally desired to continue tO escape Then came Gov ernor Brady's proposition to congress that the government might as we'll be receiving half million dollars year from Alaska as not, and, as the govern or up to the recent mass meeting in this city was in Washington supposed to represent Alaska: congress gave us taxation. and plenty of it, without any representation whatever.
 The first steps to obtain the necessary "unanimity of sentiment" by which alone congress can be properly in Huenced, was that taken by Skagway las, fall Co have an Alaska convention. That convention, composed of able men, drafted the legislation required for this Di,tric; and elected delegate Co 20 70 Washington 70 see it enacted into law. Mir Price Is now In Wash. ington representing the unanimous sem timent of the Alaska convention, which was representative oi all Alaska. But he is being assisted" by other Alas kans who have their private axes to grind and who can afford the time and expense ot journey and long stay at Washingtod to grind them. That tends to mix up the average congressman's ideas of uuauimity Of Alaska senti- ment.
 Then again, tho unanimity of senti- ment Mir. Price represents is directly and bitterly opposed by Governor Bra dy, who has for years held the position that congress shoule be informed upon Alaskan affairs only SO far as he saw ft. and only SO far as would suit his per sonal pOlicy. To have a real represent ative oi Alaska at the capital would ruin all his hopes and schemes. There- fore he opposes with might and main anything Mir. Price, in behalf of the people Of Alaska, proposes or requests, and there is bill now in the House having for its object the making of Governor Brady the only mouthpiece of Alaskans at the seat of government.
 This is a sad state of affairs for which the missionaries and their efforts to maintain Alaska as missionary field are alone to blame. and the white men who are making their homes here ano developing the country. the only suf- ferers.