Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-11

than republicans and democrats began to
organize and talk Of their respective tick
cts. Political machines" with frost on
them made their appearance everywhere
and ward heelers began making stump
speeches from the tops of convenient ice
bergs. The woes of the Alaskan. residents
were arrayed for remedial legislation In the
democratic. and republican aforns, and
ex-judges tand ex-lawyers land, ex-every-
thing else swere Grating abnat; what great
good they would do in the national halls
Of legislation.
Every One an Ex-something.
Nearly every one in Alaska is an ex-
something, except the miners There isn't
lawyer in the territory who has not serv-
ed his term in the legislature of his home
state, and one or two even claim to have
sat In the big lawmaking body here. All
to work That is, they let the industrious
miner discover the ''claim" and uncover
the gold, and then when the inevitable
'litigation" comes to pass the lawyers
make a little stake on their own account.
However. such is it is In all countries,
so it matters not.
But the Industrious miners did not take
kindly to the politicians who were en-
deavoring to sweep the territory with con-
versation about being the miners friends"
Recollections of the aforementioned litiga-
ton were fresh in the minds of many, and
all the talk of the spellbinders was waited
the polar bears dwell in peace and har-
nony' with the Esquimo.
Now. to get at the story right, 1t must be
remembered also that Alaska Is just about
as large as that portion of the United States
east of the Mississippi river, and it Is
rather difficult to make thousand-mile
jumps for stump speeches, especially when
the only method of transportation is cross
country walking. The population of Alaska
Is centered about two prosperous camps,
Nome and Fairbanks, which, by the way.
are two thousand miles apart. Mr.. Waskey
resided in Nome and was attending to his
business, caring little concerning the wall
of the politicians. One day. so the story
goes, he was in town talking with some
friends when politics was mentioned
II don't think much of either of the two
tickets that are in the field Waskey de-
clared. when 1t comes to politics every
body is miners friend. Why don't you
folks elect a real miner?"
Miners Ticket Launched.
That was the start. The miners ticket
was launched in Nome to run in opposition
to the republicans, the democrats and every
other old political party that might put in
its appearance prior to the election. Was
key was heralded as the candidate. Then
there came the organization, and Waskey's
friends realized that to win they must have
the cooperation Of the other camp, Fair
banks The telegraph wires were resorted
to, and plans were discussed at about four
dollars word. Every time the miners
wanted to send another telegram they went
out to their respective claims and Shoveled
up coal scuttle full of gold dust, and the
rest was easy.
But they found in Fairbanks determined
campaign for another real miner. Tom Gale.
Fairbanks wanted Nome to join in the fight
for Gale, and Nome wanted Fairbanks to
help elect Waskey. The question was fur
Their discussed by wire, and finally the tick
ct was made up, with Waskey as the
ha Shn tor md
Gaze for the long term That was all there
was to It, The miners friends disappear
ed toward. the tall pines that abound in that
teTritory-the republicans and the demo-
Gratis were lost sight of In the last days of
the campaign, and when the returns were
counted Messrs. Waskey and Gale ex-
pressed their thanks to the people.
Didn't Know Where to Begin.
Having been elected Mr.. Waskey didn't
know just where to begin. Alaska needs SO
many things, from merchant marine to
good roads law, that the new delegate was
swamped. But he talked the matter over
with the boys, made copious notes, and now
ne Is here on the ground to see the wheels
go round Some one else has appropriated
MS pick and shovel. and the old sluice
boxes Will continue to sing the joyous song
OF gold dust, but Mr.. Waskey will bask in
the sunshine of Uncle Joseph's countenance
discuss a greater navy with Mr.. Burton
" mo-eAehanSe repartee with Mr.. Adam
bede OF Minnesota, and pass demurely be-
meath the outstretched arm of the mighty
Cy subway from somewhere down SOUTH
1t is possible that he may encounter that
thorn OF congressional plebes-the FROST
but then he comes with his furs and his
parks and his nukliiks, and If there is any
thing in appearances he will get for Alaska
all that Is hers. He knows his country
and he has the courage of his convictions.
He will not be pestered with Constituents"
who want a soft berth under the govern
ment. because only those with real money