The Nome nugget., 1902-10-15
LET US HELP OURSELVES.

An interview with Col trl9eby, district attorney, published elsewhere in these columns, is of command irl interest. Col. Gri.sby touchc, upon matters of vital local moment His suggestions are entirely in line with what TIE NroGrr has been advocating for more than three years past.
 lt las been already demonstrated that Seward p.niusu.a i- permanent mining camp. Generations yet to come will be found engaged m mining in this section. Quartz mining will go hand in hand with the development of lac'r groUnl, and permanent population will be the result One great need of this section is means of trans oration. The development of the vast interior section cannot proceed unless sup plies can he laid down al a reasonable price. A gen U,man. who. this season, operated on Iron creek satc. that it cost him 800 ton to freight his good- to Li- claims; and still he was able to make little money. Tie fact remains, however, that the cost of transportation is a serious handicap on the miner. Wagon road building, therefore, is a necessity It may be done by private enterprise but this not likely to be forthcoming fer some time 10 come It seems 10 Us that there is no more inviting field for railroad enr rise than is offered by this section of Alaska A railroad from Nome ,o CouncI City by way of the Casadcpoga and the Neul,uk would do an excellent b, ne-s from the start and would oren up fine miuera-icalng country. It i. claimed, and we le- ieye u,tly that such d road could be built easily and chcaply. We are as ured that 1t would be a
  paying investment.
 The need of d charter aving the city of Nome ad Gi.ional powers k urged by Co GIgsby. He points out that each year a considerable sum of money is covered into the treasury of the United States from thi, judicial division. The treasury does not need it. but we do i belongs to this portion of Alaska and should be expended here The ctv's powers, as it now exists, are extremely limited It is more like opera boufc town than a real municipality. There is no opportunity for expansion; the town is hedged about and cjrcunscrbed by tAe limited powers be- slowed upon it. Its powers should be cnlargel a more efficient police force could be maintained and public improvements could be inaUguated commen- -urae with the needs of the town.
 Col. Grg.by's suggestions as to the establishment of l1nd oiiice it seems to Us, eminenty to the point The,e is now but ono land office in all Alaska and t is located al Juneau So far the conven- fence of tn, people of this section is concerned, it would be better if in Seattle or San Francisco. Col. Grgsby's views on the amendment of the mining laws are also worthy of consideration. His suggest ions might be acted upon by congress had we dele gate in that body. As have not it bchooves us to do the best that gan. Col. Grgsby will be in Washington this winter. He is in close touch with the administration and has largo acquaintance among the gentlemen who compose the congress of the United States. It would be wisdom the part of the people of Nome to put their requests and de- nands into proper shape that they may be presented Washington. We have doubt that Col. Grigcby will aid us in every way in his power and so will other Nome gentlemen who may be in Washington this winter. Skagway and Juneau have appealed to the seattle Chamber of Commerce and to Hearst's newspapers for help. It seems to TIE NUGGET that We can help ourselves in cffectual way if we will but try