The Washington times., 1906-12-29
President Is Given New
Story of Alaska
Judge.
OPPOSITION IN CONGRESS
The Fight Against Accused
Man Will Be Kept
UP.

For the second time. President ROose-
welt has had the record Of James Wicker
sham, Federal Judge OF the Third district
of Alaska, investigated with great care
and detail by a trusted officer OF the
Department. of Justice. The report OF the
second investigation has just been re
ceived by the department and forward
ed direct 10 he White House for the
personal attention of the President.
The big Alaska lobby In Washington is
tremendously concerned about what may
be in this report. Henry NJ. HOyt. dis
trict attorney At Nome. made the inves-
tigation. and how carefully il was made
can be judged from the fact that II is
said at the Department OF Justice that he
spent about two months on H. Mr. HOyt
IS a nephew and namesake OF the
Solicitor of the United States.
Most 9f the inquiries on which the re-
port is based were made at Fairbanks
the residence and judicial seat OF Judge
Wickersham. Two or three years ago,
when the Senate had refused TO confirm
the appointment or Judge Wickersham.
the President sent William \. Day To
look up charges against him.
AS Day Did 1t.
mis- investigating incident to being en-
tertained by the friends OF Wickersham
and that he brought back a fine bill Of
character for the judge. The President
sent in the name once more. but it never
mas been confirmed. Al the end or last
session there was talk OF an effort to
force a vote. but the Senators from Min
nesotn. North Dakota, and some others
who took an interest against Wicker
sham made plain that they were ready
10 take the question 10 death, II neces-
sary. by occupying All the time Of the
executive sessions with speeches. So
the matter wss not pushed.
In the elections last summer. when
Alaska elected Delegates in Congress.
one for the short and one for the long
term. the Nvickersham issue was. to
considerable extent. avoided. TIE min
ers' candidates defeated both the Re
publican and Democrats, and the i'm
preston IL that the Delegates incline 10
oppose Wickershan. II the HOyt re-
port IS adverse, there is a feeling that
the President viii withdraw the nOmina-
ton. IL it is favorable 10 NiCkeTshan N,
the nomination will stand. and the op-
position VIII make another determined
effort to prevent confirmation.
Foraker His Champion.
though fighting the President at other
points. has been the leading advocate
OF Wickershams confirmation. Last
session there was some sensation among
the senatorial lawyers when analysis
We're presented in executive session OF
some OF the judicial decisions OF Wicker
sham, and it was thought he lost ground
during the discussion Of his name
The gH{aF CHARGE a~aFpeF hin, i-
ne IS generally unit for the place: that
he has been three times indicted, that
he has made a fortune since he went 10
Alaska; that his relations have been un-
duly intimate with great business inter
6stS Of the territory. Further than this it is
alleged that the control OF immense cop
per deposits in the Copper river country
is involved In litigation; that the Have
meyer group OF hnanciers are seeking to
secure control 90 these deposits, and
that HaVemeyeT interests have been
very busy in behalf OF Wickersham. All
these matters were subjects OF current
Senate gossip last session, and il is
promised that they will come 20 the
front Just as soon as the nomination he
gins 10 secure attention again this sea-
son.
Loses a Supporter.
Judge WickeTsham loses one strong and
very active supporter in the defeat OF
Major Lacey. OF Iowa. who last winter
was untiTing in lobbying for the con-
firmation. Major Lacey has a son-in-
law who is Interested In Alaskan enter
prises. and through this relationship in
addition 20 the acquaintance formed
when he has been 10 Alaska investigating
public land matters. II Is said, the Iowa
Congressman has become interested In
the WiCkeTsham matter. There is
big Alaska lobby here this season. on
railroad and financial questions, as we'll
rhA NA-icL- q ffal.-