The Nome nugget., 1902-03-22
Views o. COunC;: Candidates
 On Townsite Question.
"a PATENT NEEDED
The Majority of the Candidates Favor the Application for Patent for the Townsite-Ob Objections Because of Probable Expense Involved.

The question of securing patent for the towns,te of N, me, which has l cen raised by the NUGGET. has excited great deal of comment, and in order to secure the views of ,he known can didates for the c,uucl at the forth coming election, on April $, the NUGGET submitted the following questions to the candidates:
 Do you favor an application being made Tor patent for the townSite of Nome: Ii not, why not:
 If so, what steps would you suggest be taken by the city council?
 Replies were received as follows:
 \. l.. Valentine: Upon first thought 1 would say !es. But upon consldtra- tiUn of tEe proposition from the stand polnt of tine taxpayers l should prefer to have an expression of thtir view~ upon the alter There should be d genera discussion. in which both sides of the case should be presented and the aGVl>abInty thoroughly considered, alter Wh oh special eIectiCn could de c.0c lhe questlun. patcntlng the town
 
 office, that of city register of deeds. Tins, together with three trustees, sur vcI4ng, batting and .ucIatntu. tA- pen,es, WouId aIsthc present, iu ny ludg gment, make an additional tax winch the majority of the people do not cal Q 10 ,ncur. dU not tItnk IL ud- yisable at thi, time.
 J. b. Juurden: In answer to your cue, l,ns, first, 60 l iator apulI, auion being naDe iur q pa.tEt for the tow IT. site Of N,mt To lhl- l ouoWer Ncs. Second, Il 50, what steps would l su1- ge,t be taken by the city council: To tDlS answer that l would favor that course being taken by the city council which uuGer the law would be of great est benefit to the property owners of Nome and would at the same time >e- cure to tn, citN all the rights and bene- fits that could be acquired for the cit. by such action. It. my Judgment tit.e tU property ln None ,nOu.d be perfect ed in he interest ol tue ON nero and Oc- cupuuts thel eUi, anu If there k any un- appropriated, unoccupied public do- main within tine clly limits the city | should receive the benefit of it.
 ;. U. stevens: Of course We should apply for d patent for the toWn,ite of 1 Nome, and l believe that the council should take the matter up immedl- ate!y.
 w. E. Griger: am most heartily in favor of immediately applying for d patent for the townslte of Nome. In regard to the proper mode of procedure 1 1 would interview the city attorney and other prominent and reliable citizens. and act largely on their advice.
 i w. B. COodrich: l have not looked into the matter or gwen 1t much thought, but l understand II would be q more or less expensive matter. and l should prefer 10 have special electlt Il OF mass meeting to get the opinion of l the eullle cllN. should 1t be the wish l Ui q majority of the citizens that pat eDt be secured l would do what 1 could 1 to secure the same ln Case l should be- come a member of the next city council.
 Sam Archer: The mineral resources of Seward peninsula guarantee the per- manCuce oi this camp, and m order that clear ttle, Co property may be se- cured and q e,tione of owner shlp set tied the tuwnsite of Nome should be patented. No precipilate action should be taken in this matter, however. As is we'll known. the site of this city is pastered with mineral locations, which If valid would prevent the issuance of d patent for d townsite. This question of validity and occupants rights to the surface i, one for the courts or the in- teriOr department to decide. In view of this condition it is not a question of whether we should obtain patent: the question is, can we obtain d patent: : In my judgment the city council should appoint committee to act with the city attorney in obtaining reliable in