The daily morning Alaskan., 1903-07-02
A SIMPLE MATTER.

Of the legislation they will recommend for isdistrict. That seli-government Is the only solution for the situation in the North is a very plain and simple proposition. Senators of the American republic win not question the right of people Co govern themselves as a mat ter of principle. To must be taken for granted then that the only matter that win be considered by them, insofar as the question ot territorial government for Alaska Is concerned, Is that Of the capacity of the people Of the district to make and execute their own laws,
 In the first place these senators will discover before they shall have passed through Alaska that the people who are developing the resources Of this great country are different from those who inhabit the other non-contiguous territory of the United States. The citizens of Alaska are not Kanakas. they are not Filipinos, they are not Sa- moans, nor are they East Indians. They are American citizens -selt-rehant' courageous. enterprisiug Americans who are no, unused Co selt-government. The work they have done iu this dis trie, Is in itself the best evidence of their capacity to govern themselves.
 Alaska has today 5000 white pee pie, a greater population than any ter ritory that was organized by congress had at the time of its organization. lt is furnishing a market for the products Of the United States Co the value of s9O,OOO, 900 per annum, and it is produc- ing annually, in gold and other miner als, dsh, fars and other products, more than ssj,OOO,OO0 The people of the district are taxed as no other Ameri- cans have been taxed since the Revo- lution. In addition to paying the tarin and internal revenue taxes, they are required Co pay into the federal treas ury a license tax before they are per mitted Co do business. These taxes amount Co approximately s2jO,Ooo a year over and above the cost of civil government and such things as custom and precedent have determined to be proper charges against the people of a state or territory.
 These figures prove two things con elusiyely. First, that the people oi this district have demonstrated by their achievements their financial and intellectual capacity to maintain ter ritorial government, and that the busi- ness oi the district has developed to such an extent that much local legisla- lation Is required by theconditions that obtain. other states and territories in which the conditions are not SO compl- eated and where the volume of busi- ness transactions are not greater than those Of Alaska have required legisla- tures working to or more days every year or two.
 There are two good reasons why these laws should be made by Alask1ns rather than by congress. In the first place, and the point will probably be conceded, the people Of the district are better qualified to legislate for them selves than those who live thousands oi miles away. under conditions entirely different, are capable Of doing for them. Aleglslature Co make laws, understand lngly, for Alaska, should be composed of men interested in the different sec tions and the different industries and lines of business of the district. This proposition is so plain that it requires only Co be stated Co carry conviction. The second good reason why the people of Alaska should be put iu possession of their natural right to make their own local laws, is the fact that congress has not only not the inc formation necessary upon which Co base intelligent action, but it has not the time to devote to the local affairs of the district. The United States is a big country, and affairs of nat onal im- port require too much Of its congress Co permit the senate Of the United States to devote time in arriving at the propriety of creating poll tax in Alaska, or as to whether or not a l- eense tax should be imposed on dogs in the municipalities of the North.
 
 Senator Boies Penrose, of Peunsyl-