The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-03-12
Why AIaskans Desire
Union With Canada


six delegates TO the last Republican Ma
tional Convention at Chicago. II IS his
answer to question as to the cause OF
Alaskans holding indignation meetings
against the Government, and asking 10
be annexed to Canada:
There are many causes, the princIpai
ones being the wiIlful neglect Of our
mueh-needed legislation by Congress;
the character of the Federal appontees
sent to Alaska: the unfortunate infiu-
ence of the Department Of Justice III
Alaskan matters. and the fact that the
advisers OF the President III our matters
represent special IL ttsTssts aIId are Cd
noxious to our PEOPLE.
Some of our most important measures
before Congress are defeated by a sin
gle objection by Congressman, through
The influence of the Sugar trust people,
who own rich mining property in Alas
ka. We are taxed without representa-
ton: we pay the salaries of our officials,
which IS the first and only instance III,
the history Of the United states in out
lying districts or Territories In which
this has been done, yet we have no
voice whatever as to their selection
Alaska is made the dumping ground for
or0ken-down, hungry, discredited, paiHi-
itching grafteTs. who are relatives or
friends of Congressman and department
chiefs. while our people. by the most
burdenseTne taxation, like the early col
oHists, who were similarly imposed Upon
by the mother country, have to foot the
bills.
Our present governor, who has already
served eight years has recently been
forced upon us for four years more
against the protest of at least 80 per
cent OF our people Having no Delegate
IN Congress. we feel the need Of an &C
Ntive, capable man for governor. We
would far rather the President had ap-
pointed an Alaskan totem pole and al
lowee US to apply the salary which We
have TO pay to the construction OF
wagon roads and trails. The recent re-
appointment OF an Alaskan judge Is a
still greater cause for complaint. Dur
ing the past winter charges were made
against him before the Senate commit
tee which prevented his confirmation.
After The adjournment of Congress, a
few days age his name was again sent
TO the Senate. lsee charges pending
against him at Department of Justice
and before Senate con1nittee.) These
two recent reappointments have done
much TO increase the bitterness and in
dignation of the Alaskan people.
Last summer the President sent B1r
Day 10 Alaska to examine the judicial
and other offices, and from the moment
he entered the first port until he left
the district he was taken IN charge by
the friends of those who desired protee-
ton. As result he had no more knowI-
edge Of the real situation in Alaska
than before he left Washington
THIS one farce after another is being
worked off on the people OF Alaska to
their detri1nenf and disgust
By systematic course of Injustice
and neglect our iiberty-ioving and law
abiding citizens haze beer driven TO the
extreme mentioned in recent dispatches
Right across the line from Alaska. in
Canada. with less than one-fifth of our
population the Canadians OF Dawson
have territorial form of government
and delegate to the Canadian pariia-
nent- They have fine public buildings
splendid wagon-roads and trails con-
structed by the government. and what
ever laws they require are passed by the
local and Ottawa government with de-
eency and dispatch, On our side of the
line. we have no local government, no
Delegate TO Congress TO represent cur
needs. are without a single mile OF
wagon road. or adequate mining laws
or enough judges TO handle the pubic
depleted by foreign corporations before
our very eyes on account OF the lack of
attention by Congress. while dishonest
or incompetent officials are retained In
office.
Go there and contrast the difference in
the manner IN which the two peoples
are treated by their respective govern
nents and If You are an American your
checks will blush for very shame
The brown men of the Philippines,
Hawaii and Porto Rico have either a
Secretary Taft or a Delegate on the floor
OF Congress TO represent them. and in
addition they have special committees
of Congress 10 attend 10 their affairs
while our own people in Alaska. irsabued
with the spirit of our institutions. edu-
Gated. energetic and brave, are treated
With objectionable Injustice and neglect.
AT the present time the departments have
to guess at what is right In Alaskan
matters, and IN most instances the guess
is wrong. AS result our public bust
ssess Is down al the heel. and frayed
out at the ends. We are getting any
thing but square deal" at the hands
| of the Government When the burning
| injustice of our treatment becomes
known to the American people. as we
intend it shall be. 1t will create little
st.crt of a national scandal
Think Of 10000 American citizens
/ wishing to be annexed to Canada on
account Of their wrongs at the hands
| o. their own Government. What a
spectacle! They are your own sons
and daughters They are not weak. In
brain and Drawn they are the snperiors
| of any other people who ever broke
| the trails for civilization. They are
| producing more today and accomplish
| ing more for the future of the country
than any single million people III the
States.
They are telling the forests. opening
mines by the thousand. navigating
great rivers, building towns, erecting
school houses and churches, adding
| millions to your gold reserve. furnish
| ing gigantic commerce. In fact, they
are building an empire at your very
| door.
| Can it be possible that the Congress
Of the United Sta ses is still ignorant of
the extent of territory the diversified