The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-05-10
Brook waveriey Keeling in Brooklyn

Brook waverley Keeling in Brooklyn
 Eagle.
 Alaska has suddenly sprung forward for notice in a manner that has fairly startled some of the higher ones at Washington. and has brought to light some information about that country and opened for exhibit the beginnings of what promises to be one of the most interest ing political developments that the coun- try has witnessed in many years.
 In. the big summer ''camp"-the City of Nome; at Valdez, the rapidly growing center of the great Copper River coun- try; at the new capital of Juneau and Ketchikan, Douglas and other south eastern towns, political waters that have been simmering for a number of years will soon begin to boil in earnest. In fact they have boiled over several times already in some spots. The lie was passed and blows barely averted in one town meeting which boiled over more than than year ago.
 It.was about the time of this particular boiling over that stronger efforts than usual were put forth by Alaskans from various districts to demand from Con- gress more notice for their much neg Iected country. But the efforts directed at Congress were not all in accord. Some asked for a delegate, or a commissioner, to Congress from Alaska, the country to be left district as it Is; and some asked for absolutely territorial form or gov- ernment.
 So far as the introduction of bills Into Congress was concerned, both sides re- ceaved attention. for Cushman of Wash ington fought hard on a delegate bill, and Sulzer of New York was as eager with a bill for territorial form of government.
 And these bills were only small part of the tide that seemed to suddenly sweep Alaskawafds at last. Bill after bill for other Alaska attentions came up-Enore than twenty in all. At last some one had told a new, true story to Congress about Alaska, which was believed, retold and shouted over the country.
 When the session adjourned, Alaska was a new country. It had 'come out" It was dressed in political raiment. The rest of the country had been told Of Its home affairs and it's demands for recogni- ton.
 This awakening of Congress-the sud- den .transmutation of the iceberg to commercial and political territory of real earth and water and vegetation, is the beginning of an enormous power in the Northwest, with such diversity of possibilities in its vast resources that for the next ten years Con gress will have each year long docket of new interests to stndy.
 It means the bringing into the vital &C., {, ton of the nation at large it's great ] Northwestern shoulder-its cold shoulder heretofore-with an area greater by 2S0O0 square miles than the total area of all those three tremendous States of Texas. Montana and California, and nearly four times the size of the aggregate area of the new possessions, the Philippines, Por- to Rico, Hawaii, Tutila and Guam. With this comes the knowledge that much of its winter climate is mider than eastern New York, and its severest winter wealth CT not worse than in portions of some States; that its summers are delightful.
 And then it means the bringing to po- litical focus some 64,0O0 people who are its inhabitants-the same people who have been part of us here; college bred men and women; business men of capacity and strength; all with an intensely American spirit, and a pretty clear idea of what the countrys possibilities are.
 It is not to be wondered at, then, that the political situation should begin to get warmer. It wouldn't be very American like if it didn't. Some of the patriotism of the country is already being accused of political activity in order to be first In the band wagon later on; and some who have keen weather eye on the band wagon are passing for the country's real patriots. It is the same old comedy that has been played on many other stages although in Alaska they have the advant- age of using new word when they wish to sling mud at one they consider mossback. They call him a-"totem-poler --by way of variety.
 The storm will not be long in breaking Matters are practically forced to an is- sue now. since Congress is ready to he told what Alaska wants There are strong opponents to territorial govern ment. They fear the country is not ready to assume even part of the respon- sibility for its own government on ac- count of its great size, in proportion to the population, the attendant expense