The Nome nugget., 1903-07-18
AS TO TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT

It may not do much good to refer to the subject embraced in the caption of this article at this time, but it will not be amiss to deal with 1t in general way. For some time past THE NUGGET has advocated territorial government for Alaska, not unmxed blessing, but matter of expediency There are strong arguments which may be adduced against the proposition but submit, there are still stronger and more convincing arguments to be made in its favor.
 The right of self-government is cardinal prnci- pie of the constitution. In the beginning it was achieved through great tribuaton and selsacrice. The lesson of the for American independence and the principles for which foreathcrs fought have not been forgotten. There thirteen original ,states; there forty-five. This means that hirtytwo of the present states once territories which passed through all the formative stages, under went all the disabilities experienced all the trials of imperfect government, before they took their places as real members of the ssterhood of states But they grew and prospered, and doubt if any person can befound who will say, notwiths landing all the imperfectians of a terroral form of govern ment, that it was not success, and achieved the purpose for which it was designed
 We know of no perfect form of government. None ls ideal. All are more or less imperfect and crude but soIe of them the best obtanable under pres ent conditions. When man becomes perfect, govern ment hy man wii react the atruistc ideal, but not before
 Als-ks's population is growing rapidly In in- .cle that population will compare favorably with that of any other portion of the republic. In pa'rio not lacking law abiding citizens have no superiors. Furthermore produc- We pay our own way and have something to spare The territory being developed its wealth is be.n! increased, our industries becoming more numerous and varied. Opponents of the territorial government idea" object to the cost that it would tail; they point to alleged increase of taxation which would follow but we submit that they reasoning from false premises. change from uncertain government directed from Washington to direct ed by the people who make up the population of Alas ka, cannot be step backward If the people of Alaska are not competent to take of themselves, may expect little from the lawmakers of the national capi tai. Taxes, therefore, say, would bs greater than at present; in fact we believe they would be lessened, and ths money raised by taxes which we think unjust and burdensome, would, at all events, be used entirely in the territory. The treas ury of the United States would not, is the case, receive money thus collected
 The immsnsity of Alaska and the great diversity in every way between the northern and southern tions serious problems to contend with when fronted by the question of creating Alaska into ter ritory. But they must be met and faced in an intel ligent manner Some of the great corporations doing business in Alaska do not like the territorial govern ment idea, passing their opposition the danger o excessive taxation" In all fairness we believe that their fears groundless. Territorial government cannot be long delayed in spite of all opposition.