New-York tribune., 1906-10-29

smooth shaven man of thirty-one. who looks
one in the eye and talks in straight from the
shoulder way that ought to be worth good
deal to the great territory when the time comes
for talking in Congress He is here at the
capital we'll ahead of the meeting of Congress
to accomplish just as much as he AL
though his term expires on March next, he has
mapped out a whole lot of work to do Much Of
this, he thinks, be begun before Congress
convenes, so he is hustling around from one de-
partment to another from the White House
to the Capitol, with his pockets full OF papers
and his mind full of plans for Alaska's future.
In spite of the fact that he was elected as a
Democrat. Mr.. waskey dsclaims any intention
of following the party bell wether II at any
time that leader should happen to get side
tracked line that would diverge from
Alaska's best interests. 81 was elected on a
strictly miners ticket" said Mr.. Waslzey to-
day I'm 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 thoroughgoing Americans out there, but
we are also essentially Alaskans, and are proud
of the great and splendid region at the north
west corner of this continent. which has at last
received representation in Congress There are
many things want for Alaska, so much
vital legislation needed. that we could not afford
to be divided party lines We shall seek TO
get from Congress laws that will benefit Alaska
as whole. That is the idea which inspired the
men who gave their votes for Delegate. as L
interpret it, and IL is the same platform on
which my successor, Thomas Cole. who Will
come TO the Goth Congress was elected.
II am astonished to find what amount or
misinformation about Alaska there is in the
East. Most people to have the impression
that Alaska is frozen up all the time. That is
great mistake. The fact is. we have a great
variety of climate. and the winters are not so
severe as some persons think. Our pastoral ana
mining resources I do not believe are half ap-
preciated. Some of these days capital will de-
velop these resources as they should be devel-
oped. The legislation 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 II
should be harder TO make location for a mine
by recurring a more definite discovery of gold
The present system is lax and causes confusion.
We want more local rule for Alaska. of course.
and will strive to attain II.
I'VE believe that are entitled to some form
of government whereby may select own
LEGISLATURE regulate the local taxation laws
and have the privilege of electing our own mar
shaIs. recorders, etc, and voice IN selecting
the judiciary. There should be fourth judicial
district established in the territory land office
established at Nome and another at Fairbanks
We want lighthouse headquarters established
there and the scope of the roads commission
localized. The Alaskan delegate enactment or
last winter is defective in some particulars. 1t
was found, for instance, that the time chosen
for the holding of the elections was tnopportune
The time of voting. instead of being in midSum-
mer should be in the spring, when the miners
are gathered in the various cities getting ready
for the seasons operations We would prefer
the Australian form of ballot to that now pro-
yided The people of the United States should
understand that Alaska is in every way a nor
NAL country; it is a country Of homes and
churches, not the abode of desperadoes and out
casts