Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-10-31
The DELEGATE From Alaska.

The Washington papers announce
the arrival in that city of the first dele
gate to Congress from the territory Of
Alaska 1t is some time yet to the
opening Of the session, but he plainly
did not want to take any chances of
being late for ii means a great deal
to Alaska 20 be represented among the
national lawmakers for the first time.
The new delegate is Frank Fl. Waskey.
age 81. tall and alert, and we are told
that "he looks one in the eye and talks
in a straight from the Shoulder way
that ought to be worth good deal to
the great territory when the time
comes for talking in Congress" His
term Will expire March 4, 1907, and his
successor, Thomas Cole, has already
been elected. but Mr.. Waskey hopes to
do a lot for Alaska in the coming few
months BY his personal efforts at the
White House, among the departments
and IN the floor Of the House. Mr..
Wa>kcy speaks Of his plans and OF
AlaSka's needs in the following IAN
guaSe.
Il was elected on n strictly miners
ticket. In other words, | was chosen
To come to Washington to work for the
territory. and I'm going to do that to
the best Of my ability. We are thor
| 4 tharn lint
we are also essentially Alaskans. and
are proud of the great and splendid
region at the northwest corner of this
continent. which has at last received
representation in Congress. There are
50 many things we want for Alaska,
so much vital Legislation needed. that
we could not afford to be divided on
party lines. We shall seek to get
from CongIe ss laws that will benefit
Alaska az a whole. That is the idea
which inspired the men who gave me
their votes FOR delegate. as I interpret
it. and it is the same platform on
which my successor. Thomas Cole, who
will come to the Goth Congress was
elected
81 am astonished to find what IN
Alaska there is in the East Most
people seem to have the impression
that Alaska is frozen up all the time
That is n great mistake. The fact is
we have a great variety Of climate. and
the winters are not 80 severe as some
persons think. our pastoral and min
ing resources I do not believe are halt
| appreciated. Some Of these days CAPT
| tai will develop these resources rs
| they should be developed. The legisla-
ton most urgently needed for Alaska is
a special act to improve the system OF
granting land titles and mining
| claims. The titles should be made
| better and more secure it should be
| harder to make a location for n mine
| by requiring a more definite discovery
| uf gold. The present system is lax anG
causes confusion. We want more
| local rule for Alaska. of course, anG
will strive to attain it.
| We believe that we are entitled t.
| some form of government whereby we
may select our own Legislature, regu-
| late The local taxation laws and have
| the privilege of electing our own mar.
| shalS, recorders. etc, and voice in Sc.
lecting the judiciary. There should b,
| a fourth judicial district established il
the territory. land office established
| at Nome and another at Fairbanks. w,
| want lighthouse headquarters eStab
| lishei there and the scope of the road:
| commission localized. The Alaskan
delegate enactment of last winter il
| defective in some particulars. 1t wa
| found. for instance. that the tim
| chosen for the holding Of the elections
| was inopportune. The time of voting
instead of being in midsummer
should be in the spring, when the min
esr are gathered in the various cite
| getting ready for the seasons opera
tons We would prefer the Australian
form of ballot to that now provided
The people of the United States shOul
understand that Alaska is in ever
way a normal country; it is a cOuntr
of homes and churches. not the abod
pf 1aSnera5oaS and outpl StS -