Douglas Island news., 1906-01-17
PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY
A STAB IN THE BACK

The Ketchikan Mining Journal, on which rests the mantle of that hypo- critical gang of scoundrels, who were driven out of Southeastern Alaska, by the order of President Roosevelt, be- cause be had discovered their meanncss; this paper, edited by the sole remain ing member of that devilish combina' tion, has attempted to besmirch the reputation of the Hon. A. F. Swineford, who has gone to Washington to repre- sent the people of this district.
 The Journal says:
 1.-The Mining Journal has heretofore refrained from expressing an opinion as to the advisability of sending Elk Governor A. P. Swineford to Washing ton, as a lobbyist, has done so for vari- ous reasons, and would continue to remain silent on the question were it not that silence might place us in a wrong light.
 "In the first place we have consid- cred that those who desired to spend their money in this way had right to do so and on that ground held our peace. In the second place respect for old age moved us to refrain from com menting on the fitness of the person selected, though look at him from what light we may, the writer Is unable to see the first qualification that A. r. Swineford has to represent Alaska ln Washington. Alaska wants to attract attention; her lobbyist should be a bright, energetic, able and intelligent young man; man who reflects the spirit of Alaska in his greeting, a man with an attractive personality.
 "It is not necessary to describe Mir. Swineford. His habits, and his per sonality are known to the people ot Southeastern Alaska. He is man with a hobby and his first utterance on his arrival at Seattle indicates that he goes for the purpose of defeating any legislation giving Alaska delegate in Congress without giving territorial government. As the chances are very good for the passage of the delegate bill and the territorial question has scarcely heen raised, such action as he declares he will take cannot but be injurious to the best interests of the district What Alaska wants IS a delegate entitled to a seat in the halls of Congress and a voice in it's delibera- tions. In the present attitude of the President and of the Congress this Is bound to be the first step. He who attempts to block such legislation blocks progress.
 "There are many persons residing ln this district who did contribute to send MT. Swineford to Washington. Some few did SO because of a friendly feeling for him and perhaps with desire to render some return for fights he had made for them. There were others who contributed to sustain the repu, tation this town has for being the first to take hold of any proposition, and still others who gave because some one else had"
 It is not necessary that we should attempt defense of MT. Swineford. Il is enough to state that as writer ht stands head and shoulders above any quill pusher in this district. We be lieve that the people of Ketchikan will repudiate the insinuations of the Jour al as false. Swinetord has done more to bring Ketchikan before the people of this country than any man in it And now, when his back is turned when he is devoting a part of the las years of a noble life to the effort tc benefit the condition of his felloV citizens, to allow remnant of that de throned gang of carpet baggers t. islander him is simply damnable. 1 the people of Ketchikan permit thi thing without protest, they will forfei the esteem of every decent man in Al aska.