New-York tribune., 1906-12-16
iLASkANS AT ODDS.
Goveror and Delegate in Congress
disagree as to Needs of Territory.
TFrom The Tribuns Bureau.y

,r..h,urton Dec. u.-AIaska's entrance into tn.
,,rrsl LEGISLATURE this session has been already
E--has,zed by sharp exchange OF views in letters
:. tbe President by the Governor OF the territory
- ,he new Delegate regarding the needs OF the
--tury IN matters OF legislation and government
r. waskey. who comes 10 Congress as
l.sksis FIRST spokesman in the House OF Repra-
-,s.,ves recently submitted 20 the President
rr.n statement relative territorial necessttiss
= ,hirh he advocated a revision OF the mining
isus and especially urged home government de-
s-,ug that this was the main plank in the plat
,r-ns on which ali the candidates made the cam
.irn 81 the election held last August In This
istsr ne declared TO the President:
While the most urgent need OF Alaska is snaci.,
nsuing legislation, the most important matter poif-
lcsy y u1aI % holas s1t eIntneht Until Congress
Eorse OF Representatives had the spectacle oss
ss.T,s representation We have now The soveTn one,I
s0as proposition Of large and important posses
son geogrspfi ieaIy contiguous and populated bv
rSed states citizens and YET not integral part
Q. The Inllea states @ = hegarding territorial gov
ice Of such government for Alaska We are
81 Americans. and as such believe in the in allen
are rights and privileges OF self-government
The Governor Of Alaska then sent con,rnunica
ton 20 the President, questioning Mr waskev'~
statement 10 the issues in the campaign. He
writes
NJ. vaskeys statements regarding the Issues at
the delegate election are not accurate. The ISSUE
was not clearly drawn the question of territoaI
ssTaa he selection OF connss1on Tn recon-
ms and al other schemes for the betterment or
marfy Of a combination OF the men engaged in
placer mining IN two localities OF Alaska on the
niue-. and Ivy selecting canddate for the
the long term from another locality effected COM
btnaton. dsregarded all political lines traded on
0fa T5at e question q T tsTrteT4aI government
not seriously considered is clearly shown by the
twenty years has been advocating territorisl
government for Alaska, and is regarded by every
a -s~rrIa-
eminent. received the smallest number OF votes
A large portion OF the agitation for territorial
government comes from the saloon element in
Alaska. which Is desirous. OF decreasing the bur
dens imposed upon thar business and at the
sane tine obtain greater liberty than they now
have n ne conduct of their business. Another
large portion comes from the demagogic state
essential rights of citizenship with which I take
vote Tor county officers and 70 make some minor
TSese are not essential al present for the welfare
and welheing of the population
Regarding the changes in the United States
mining laws as they apply to Alaska. proposed hv
Delegate Waskev. Governor Hoggatt takes excep-
ton IN several particulars and SAYS that il is not
advisable 70 revise them for the benefit OF the
place. miners.
az -0rrespondence of Governor Hoggatt and
the Alaskan Delegate which has been made pub
Hc has caused some confusion in the minds Of the
members Of Congress interested in Alaska as 10
just what legislation would De best for the welfare
OF tie territory. and may compIicate matters If
efforts are made 20 lesislate for II this session
With great many Cougressrlen the proposal
which seems most PracUicable is that d commits
sion should be sent 20 Alaska TO study the needs
q ne various districts and 10 present a report 20
congress reoomneHclng such changes in the laws
seen advisable. This commission i main
tsined could present IN c1le bill nearly everything
that would be needful in the way OF legislation FOR
considerable period Of years. ard would decrease
ne demands upon Congress for piecemeal legisla-
r0n. President Roosevelt, IN transmitting the pa
Ie-s NJ Governor HOggatr and Delegate Waskey,
C0-Erl@ICS especially Governor HOggart's report.
anc, r-iS contains the recommendation for an
Alaskan commission, the President evidently favors
this Plan.