The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-11-16
GOVERNMENT OF ALASKA.

Representative Jones of this state
has introduced a bill to create a terri
torial form of government for Alaska,
and providing for the election of three
delegates.
The report of the subcommittee Of
the senate committee on territories,
which visited Ala@'-a llst summer, has
not yet been made. What that COM
mittee will recommend with regard to
a territorial form of government can
not certainly be predicted. One of the
committee has repeatedly expressed
himself as in favor of a territorial form
of government and an elective dele
gate. The other members have not so
clearly defined their views. If they do
not recommend a territorial form of
government it will be due partly to the
fact that public sentiment in the dis
trict is divided. Among the consider
atoms which will influence them is the
apprehension of many substantial cit
liens of the district that a territorial
organization would not only impose
heavier burdens of taxation but have
a tendency to check development; and,
more Weighty than all, are the prac-
teal difficulties in the way of sue
cessful administration on account of
the lack of means of transportation
and communication between the diff
ferent parts of the district. South
eastern Alaska, which comprises that
Yakutat bay, including, Skagway, Sit
ka, and Ketchikan, is so remote from
and has so little in common, either
with the settlements along the Yukon
or with Nome and the Seward PENN
suIa, that a territorial government en-
bracing them all would encounter diff
culties of administration which might
materially affect its efficiency.
At the same time there is undoubted-
ly a predominating sentiment among
the people of the district in favor Of
territorial form of government and
home rule. They feel that they are
quite as able to make laws affecting
their own interests as is the congress
of the United States four or five thou
sand miles away. The sentiment for
home rule is perfectly natural and is
entitled to great respect.
But whether a territorial form of
government be provided or not, GER
tainly Alaska is entitled to at least one
delegate in congress 1t is unfair
and absurd that this immense district
with its important interests. should
have no recognized representative in
Washington when other territories and
even the Hawaiian islands are so rep
resented. If a territorial form of gov
eminent be authorized then unques-
tiOnably the delegate should be elected.
If no territorial form of government
be provided the delegate will probably
be appointed by the president or pos
sibly selected by the three judges and
the territorial appointed officers. 1t
would be inconsistent to authorize the
election of a delegate and deny a ter
ritOrial form of government on the
ground that the population was too
scau.red to admit of a fair election OF
territorial officers.
But Mr.. Jones is not far wrong in
providing three delegates in place of
one; for whether elected or appoint
ed, such a distribution of representa-
ton is the only method by which the
three districts. the southeastern, the
central and the northwestern. can
each expect to have a representative
fully Identified with and devoted to its
own interests