The daily morning Alaskan., 1903-08-28
THE QUESTION BOILED DOWN


 The people Of Alaska owe debt or lasting gratitude to the Seattle Post Intelligeuccr for the lucid and eompre- hensive editorials, many ot which have been editorial leaders in its most wide ly circulated editions oi the paper, upon the affairs Of this district The writer Of these splendid editorials Is certainly thoroughly convcrsant with his theme. His knowledge of the dis triet has not been attained at second hand, and ii his work Is as educative Co the people oi the United States as it is thoroughly appreciated by the residents of this country, their effect will be Of inealculable benefit to the far North west and Co the great nation that has acquired Alaska.
 The following leading editorial on the day preceding the debate on terri torial government for Alaska at the Traus-Mississippi congress, Is a fair sample ot the terse manner in which the grea, daily of Washington eNhausts Alaskan subjects;
 Among the questions upon which the Trans-Mississippi congress is in- vited Co express an opinion at the ses- sion in this city, is the granting ot a full territorial government for Alaska. A fair share Of the delegates Co the con- gress have had some experience under a territorial government, and know precisely what it Is and how it is ad- ministered. They have seen that Of the Alaskaus who are present at The congress, an save Gov Brady, favor the establishment oi a territorial gov ernment for the district; and ii they iu- quire further into the matter, they will 6nd that on this subject the people Of Alaska, particularly those of South eastern Alaska, are divided in substan- tially Identical proportion.
 There are at the present time not less than 5000 white people justly cn- titled Co be called permanent residents Of Alaska This is a larger number ot white people than was iu any territory of Che United States at the time Of the passa ,e by cong ess ot an act organiz- ing ,he territory. As Western meo, the members Of the congress do not haR. Co bc told that the meu who mic grate Co a new territory, such as Alas ka, with a view Co developing the re- sources ot the country, a, rule will compare iayorably in intelligence, in enterprise and in capacity for selt-goy- ernmeut with like number ot people in any community on earth. AS Vest ern men. they are able Co orealize turth- CT the hopelessne,s Of securing from congress intelligent legislation on mat ters purely local Co Western territory or state. Yet, under existing condi- tions, congress alone can legi,la;c even on the Ic,,ie,, local subject for Alaska
 "Alaska Is entitled to a territorial government. There are no more dini- culties in administering such a govern meut in Alaska than were presented at the time of organizing each of the older territories. The Alaskans surely should be permitted Co have a local legisla- ture, and at leas, Che measure oi home rule provided under the territorial sys- tem.
 "The indorsemcut by the Trans-NIis- sissippi congress of the proposition to give Alaska a territorial government, would have great weight with COZ gres. and it is sincerely to be hoped that the congress may do this much to- ward forwarding the interests of the great Northern territory