The Nome nugget., 1903-03-04
LET TIE PEOPLE RULE" "


 Tie following editorial from the columns of tlc Seattle Post-Integoncer so fully coiocdc* with the views entertained by TIE Nroolr that it is herewith reproduced in full, and we believe it will ao found 10 ter,ely explain conditions as found in Alaska l. as true as the Post-lntoljgencer states, that though there are score of men in Washil gtoo from Alaska or claiming Alaska as residence, yet tao of them are at all agreed as to what Alaska needs. a@:a does not ask government by a comm ss on,' hu she does neel a government esteb,hed on he same lines that havo worked satisfactorily clsewhe'o for century or more Following is the article referred to:
 Events declare more loudly and positively than any argument could for the grant of full territorial form of government to Alaska. Nor is there oh- ec on to be urged it except tae size of the district making it difficult for representatives from all sections of it to meet at q commor point. That however, Is no more true of Alaska today than it was of some of th other erritore, in their earlier history. In fact, communication is well established that the difficulty of establishing central representative soy- ernment will le by no means as severe.
 Congress, they say, is prepared 10 comply with the reasonable wishes of the people of Alaska. But who is to tell congress what those wishes are? Who can be the accredited mouthpiece oi those people except some delegate whom they have chosen them selves in the customary way under the authority dinarily granted to territories? To provide for formal and authoritative expression o their wi-he: i~ the very first step to be taken, the prime duty Of the hour It is proved by the situation at this moment.
 Cast glance toward the national capital and you will find there from halfa dozen 10 thirty per sons each of whom claims totje the only uue-blHe smon-purc. brandcd-in-thchd and copyrighted representative of the people of Alaska. Each of hem does represent local interest probably. in which he himself may or may not have a share. Each Of them has credentials; resolutions of chambers of commerce other bodies, letters from officials CT prominent men something of the sort. Each asks for what he wants in the name of Alaska; and in the absence of any representative expression of the peo- ples will, each has gooda right another to call and to believe himself the whole thing.
 ''The first fruit of this system - the passage with out objection in the house. of unwise and unneces sary measure permitting settlers to take up claims I Alaska of 32O acres each. There i. no more excuse for it there than there would be in Washington. Con- gress was toll that Alaska wanted it.. and so went ahead under the impression that it was doing wise and popular thing. It will be making similar mjs takes all the while, instead Of legisatng for Aaska's real needs until it authorizes the organization Of the usual machinery for expressing those needs formally by the people,
 ''Nothing could be so wise to make th:s the first step. Provide for the organization of territorial form of government in Alaska. Let these people get together and choose their delegate and express in resolutions and memorials congress the need which they feel to be the most real, immediate and Stop the onward march of selconstituted represent atves and the generation of the bitter domestic quar- res and the perpotration oi the not infrequent domestic iniusces that spring from their missions to the national aptal. Treat Alaska the other DOT tions of the national domain treated while they yet were united for statehood. Alaska may not Ic of age yet but she s old enough to speak for herself. Give her the chance"