The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-12
Insist That They Should Elect
Their Own Delegate.
A MASS MEETING TO PROTEST,
Resolutions Adopted Stating That
tied Representative of Alaska at
WasbingtoD-Want Proceedings
of Gov. brady mt the Meeting.

! 1--WE, the undersigned citizens OF Alaska
I and of the United States, learn Win re,
/ greet that Congressman Knox mas as, a III, -
| to postpone the presentation OF his blll 20
| give the district Of Alaska delegate N
| congress to be elected by the people OF
| Alaska, and we therefore most emphha tho
ally protest against the passage OF the
| Grout bill, or any similar measure ce-
4 signed to rob the taxpayers and citizens
of this district of their right to elect their
| own delegate to congress, and hereby sol
EMMY declare that we would prefer 10
leave our affairs in the hands or congress
Itself. rather than to have deIega ,,e
chosen by appointee OF the government
from among the appolntees OF the govern
ment."
The foregoing petition was adopted at a
mass meeting of citizens of Skagway,
February 5, and is being widely circulated
for signatures. The meeting was called
to take action on the reported position
taken by Gov. Brady before the congress
sional committee investigating the legs-
latiye aid Alaska needs, and the Grout
bill. In addition to the adoption Of reso-
buttons stating this sentiment there was
much discussion Of the action of the gov
ernor. many holding that he was not
properly attending to the needs of the
people he represented. The resolutions
also favor moving the capital from Sitka.
The statement that Mr. Knox had
agreed to hold back his bill providing for
the election of delegate from Alaska
next IAN III ldNDr VI the Ditl dWUhe
great political interest at Skagway. The
chamber of commerce appointed com
mittee to proceed to Juneau and confer
with citizens there. But this committee
missed the boat, and then there was a
ciamor for a mass meeting without walt
ing for Juneau This was called by the
chamber Saturday night February 3, and
large crowd attended. President Keller,
of the chamber. was elected chairman
Gov. Brady and Taxes.
Gen. Turner formerly of Seattle, stated
that one of the visiting members of con-
gress had said that but for Gov. Brady,
thereA%seld have been no Alaskan tax
except on saloons.
As soon as the resolutions were passed
a motion was made that they be wired
to John G.. Price. the representative of
Alaska in Washington. and Immediately
collection was taken up to pay the cost
of the telegram.
The meeting expressed its approval OF
the bill for lighthouses for Alaska. and
located In a similar way TO placer grounds.
1t also adopted resolution TO congress,
wniah y now being circulated all over
southeastern Alaska foe signatures.
The resolution contains a long preamble
reaffirming the proceedings of the con-
vention held at Juneau October to 10,
1888, which were briefly as follows: For
the division OF Alaska into three iudic-
ial districts; for fixing Juneau as the
permanent residence of the Judge OF that
district: for the establishment at Skag-
way of deputy clerk of the United States
district court; for the enactment of a
civil code. based on the Botkin code: for
various amendments to the criminal code;
for making provision for the incorporation
of municipalities: for providing COM
mon school system AT this convention
John q. Price OF skagway, was unani-
represent the people In their stated needs
Influence to Thwart.
The resolution continues;
Whereas, II has become a well known
fact that great influence is being brought
70 bear by interested parties not only to
have the capital Of the district retained at
Sitka. but also to prevent the permanent
establishment at Juneau of the seat OF
Justice, and generally TO thwart the wishes
of the people OF Alaska and to minimize or
entirely nullify the work of said conyen-
tion,
Whereas. There is now pending In said
congress a bill known as the Grout bin
being house bill No. 1858, entitled "A hjU
providing representation In congress for
Alaska, read twice and referred to the
COMMITTEES on territories. which said oil
delegates 10 the secretary OF the interior
the power to designate the governor or
clerk OF said district OF Alaska 10 appear
before congress as a quasi delegate to rep
resent the interests or said district;
therefore be 1t
Resolved, That il is the sense of this
mass meeting that we cannot too strongly
impress upon the members of congress ana
All having authority over said district or
Interested In it's welfare that said conyen-
tiou, so held as aforesaid was composed
OF delegates duly elected by the votes OF
me people that said delegates were repre-
sentative men. all living IN Alaska. ac-
quainted with its needs identified with
its interests and soicitous for its pros
perity, and that the legislation asked fr
wise and ought to be enacted
pes.a n.f.-