The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1905-11-25
NEEDS OF ALASKA

Jun vEulIUN NJ OCh LIE hUUE Id
RESOLUTIONS.
Territorial Government and Repre-
sentative In Congress-Recom-
mendatlons OF President In HIS
riessaae OF 1904 Are Endorsed.
Vote was Unanimous.
Seattle, Nov. 2l.-Alaska, by its
delegates in convention at Seattle yes
terday declared for territorial form
of government and demanded seat in
congress. It declared also for new
mining law. These were the principal
features Of the platform which the
convention adopted.
The selection Of delegation to go
to Washington to urge upon congress
the ratification of the platform is made
q special order for today.
The platform was adopted by unani-
nous vote and without amendment or
addition, but only after several hours
Of warm debate. 1t was discussed SER
latin, and its every provision was
threshed out thoroughly, but when it
came to vote there was no voice
raised against it. The platform as
adOpted follows:
To the people, the congress and the
president Of the United States:
The $4,000 Americans resident in
Alaska, represented by elected dele
gates in territorial convention, this
20th day of November, 1905, appeal to
the American people in every state and
territory, and to congress and the pres
ident of the United States with can
did statement Of Alasks's needs and q
respectful demand for the recognition
Of her rights.
That thoee needs may be clearly un-
dArstood and those rights dealt with in
Justice, we deem it fitting to present
an outline of conditions as they exist
il Alaska today.
In the precious metals Of gold, silver
and copper, and in deposits Of coal, tin
and iron ore, we believe that Alaska is
the worlds richest storehouse. It's
waters produce one-han Of the annual
salmon catch OF the Western hemis-
phere. It's $50, 1O7 square miles ex-
coed the combined areas of the empires
of Germany and Austro- Hungary, and
the islands of Great Britain and Ire
land.
Alaska's Vast Domain.
The great mountain systems Of Alas
ka are Drowned with ice and snow and
they feed glaciers, but in the southern
and central portions are vast and fer
tile valleys. some as large as the state
Of Ohio, densely timbered and yielding
abundaptly Of grasses, all varieties Of
vegetables, and the hardy grains.
These valleys correspond in area, lati-
tude and climatic conditions with por-
tions Of Northwestern Europe, which
contain II. 100000 of enlightened and
prosperous people.
Within this wide expanse of territory
60, 900 Americans, sheir mum ers rap
idly increasing, are engaged in devel-
oping resources of llmitless extent and
of incalculable benefit to the prosperity
Of the United States.
But their work is struggle against
sdversity. They face not alone the
physical disadvantages of country al
ternating with rugged mountains and
forest covered valleys, but they are
burdened with laws wholly unsuited
to their needs, which breed expensive
litigation, engehder anlmosities and
frequently bring progress to halt.
A heavy tax is imposed by congress
upon every character Of Alaskan in
dnstry and but q fraction Of it is ap-
piled to Alaska's welfare, as the peo-
pie Of Alaska believe it should be ap-
piled.
The 10000 Americans in Alaska
represent the vigor and intelligence Of
young manhood from every state and
territory Of the Union. They have car
ried with them to their new homes the
public school, the church, the hospi-
tai, the daily newspaper, the tele-
phone and the electric light. They
have carried also to their new home
the American love of liberty and the
American belief that their local affairs
can be regulated by themselves better
than by a body jof men, however en-
lightened, living in different environ.
ments and occupied with other duties
many thousands Of miles away.
Wherefore, we demand the arplica-
ton to Alaska Of the fundamental
American principle Of self governments
and elective representation in congress.
We ask no help or favors. but emily to
be permitted to work out our own des-
tiny and do our share in contributing
to the prosperity and welfare Of our
common county.
In addition We present herewith
Alaska's other immediate and most
urgent needs:
Demand New fllnina Law.
First and Foremost: A statute APP