The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-05-10
INTERESTING POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT
 NOW UNDER WAY IN ALASKA

thereupon making the taxes heavier than those now imposed by the United states Government.
 They think Alaska should be given delegate in Congress to represent her rights and needs, without requiring her to assume self-government at present In this matter of a delegate, some favor an appointed commissioner and some delegate elected by the people. They are all making hard fight.
 On the other side the terrftorialtsts. led by ex-Governor A. P. Swineford, who has advocated territorial goverhment for many years, are equally determined to win.
 There is one point that all sides prac- tically agree upon-representation Of some kind at Washington. Alaska has been tax ed out of her proportion. Even boarding house keepers. insurance solicitors and small stores as well as large ones, have paid taxes direct to the United States Government for the privilege of carrying on busi- ness. It was largely this tax, and the difficulty that has continually been en- countered in all attempts to induce Con- gress to investigate from proper busi- ness standpoint the country's needs, in- stead of espousing some such recommen- dation as a reindeer herd-that drove Alaskans to this extraordinary effort in the lastCongress and added tremendously to the ranks of the territorialists.
 With the turning of the tide to the busi- ness channel, finally, the fight now is to see whose way Congress will take. What ever that decision, whether territorial government is given at once, or whether the delegate alone wins the first battle, it cannot be very long with the develop ment that must now go forward at a tremendous pace, before the country will govern itself. It may be divided into two or more territories. It may even jump from territory to statehood in few years, in part or whole, although this seems remote at present. But the opportunities of the country, with proper government aid to development. are so great that one need not be usually opti- mistic to see many things of great growth ahead
 One can get little idea of the political feeling there in the following extract from an article headed:
 What a Bastard Government Costs.
 According to a statement given out by Y. S. Clerk Hills for Division No. 1, the license taxes collected by him for the year ending June 30, 1902. in the incor- porated towns of Juneau, Douglas, Ketch- ikan, Skagway, Treadwell and Valdez was $4S, T08. .62. The licenses outside of incorporated towns amounted to sS4, 1S3 .S2. Total amount collected. ............ $133, ,S92. A Paid U. s. Treasury ......$7S,9 ,942. .66
 Paid court expenses. 2552815
 Paid schools. .. "A, S54. S
 Balance 4,567.32
 ass, 1892 A
 By the above it will be sen that of the total amount of $133, ,S92. A collected in license taxes in this one judicial district alone, $78,942 was paid directly into the treasury of the United States, while the six incorporated towns were allowed the paltry sum of $24. .S54. 31 for the support of schools. It must be remembered that this money came not from tax upon real and personal property. but from one made exclusively upon the business industries of Alaska.
 If we add to this the fines and for feitures. summing away up into the thou sands of dollars the fees of United States Commissioners, recorders and deputy mar shals, amounting to many thousand dol lars more, we can form a pretty correct idea of what a government in which they have no voice whatever Is costing the people of southeastern Alaska.
 The territorialists also say that Con gress, being given by the Constitution power to dispose of. and make all need full rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to lue CIlleu oldlSS' Hceu lOL De governed by the general provisions of that instru- ment in dealing with Alaska, which is not a territory, but merely the property of the United States. which that body may govern as it sees fit, or even dispose of if 1t so wills"
 Thus the battle has begun. Some very warm skirmlshing has already taken place, but the real battle has only started The battle-ground for the most part will be in southeast Alaska. revolving about the new capital of Juneau, and including the forces of Valdez. Ketchikan. Skag- way, Treadwell. Douglas and Wrangel with a strong anti cry from Sitka.
 The struggle will be full of interest. There is much involved. and an enormous territory, to be considered The coun- try's present population of about 64,OOo, given in connection with the figures of
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