The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-27
Why Not Speak for Alaska?

why NOT speak Tor Alaska!
The Democratic senators and men,
bers Of congress, in all Of their dis
cussion of matters concerning our new
island possessions lay great stress on
the constitutional question as to the
sist that Immediately on the title of
the United States attaching. the provi-
sions Of the constitution at once be-
came applicable to the new territory.
The good faith with which this argu-
ment is being urged can readily be test
ed when these same gentlemen have an
opportunity to vote upon the various
Alaska bills now pending before con-
gress.
Under existing laws. the people of
Alaska are not only required to pay
precisely the same duties and imposts
AZ are levied and collected throughout
the United states. but In addition there
to are compelled to pay license fees on
almost every conceivable class Of bust
ness. every dollar of which is turned
into the national treasury. on the mere
question of abstract right and wrong,
there is no more reason why these spe-
cial taxes should be levied on the peo-
pie of Alaska than on the people of
New York; and certainly II Alaska
comes within the provisions of the con-
stitution, such taxation is unconstitu-
tional Yet not a voice was raised from
the Democratic side Of the house or sem
ate against the passage of the law i'm
posing these taxes.
New bills are pending before congress
for the government of Alaska. which
continue In force the same license sys-
tenn. with some notifications. The ut
most that the people OF Alaska have
asked from the committee having these
bills In charge Is that OF the revenues
so raised by this special form of license
taxation In Alaska, rs per cent. may be
retained for the support of public
schools and for other purposes In the
territory while IS per cent shall be
turned into the treasury OF the United
States: but the committee has decided
to ignore this modest request Yet
Alaska is a community OF American cit
liens. with a population composed in
great part Of men born In the United
states. and that population is fully as
great as was found within the limits of
some of the states at the time Of their
admission into the Union. and 1t is GER
tain that at least one OF the states viii.
In the coming census. show smaller
population than win Alaska.
II the Democratic minority in con-
gress have an honest belief in the right
eousness OF their position: II they are
not simply using the constitutional aues-
ton as a weapon OF faetional opposition
70 the legislation proposed by the DOM
inant party. seeking alone partisan cam
paign material. how does II happen that
stltu,ional question when Puerto Rico
and the Philippines are involved and
ignore it absolutely when Alaska Is be-
ing consldereds For precisely the same
point is involved in the Alaska govern
ment bia as in proposed measures re-
iating 10 the Philippines and TO Puerto
Rice.
II Is peculiar quality in the Demo
cratic attachment 10 the constitution
that the spokesman Of that party are
50 eager 60 throw It's protecting folds
around the people Of cur new possess
sions, and 50 strenuous In their argu-
uients that congress has no power 10
govern them or to extend any system OF
taxation over them save what Is en-
forced within the limits OF the United
States, yet stand silent or acauiescent
while congress does precisely these
things with community OF American
citizens. 1t certainly iustiiies the belief
that the present Democratic attitude Is
a sham and pretense; that Il Is simply