The Ketchikan mining news., 1907-01-25
PURE, FALLACH

Thos. s. Nowell, who is not un- known to the people of Alaska, contributes to the January number of the Alaska Magazine the following suggestions on the question of popular home government for the district.
 In considering the pros and cons relative to the advisahility of terri torial government, with a legislature. for the territory of Alaska, the first consideration should be as to the flnan- cial obligationswhich must be assumed under such a form of government. i.
 am authoritatively informed that the expenses now provided for by the United States government amount to over 1900, GOO annually.
 Beyond this, under territorial form of government a large increase in expenses would be incurred, amount ing to many thousands of dollars annually It would be within reason to estimate that it would be neces- ,ary to raise each year by taxation fully $400. GOO to meet the ordinary ter ritorial running expenses.
 Naturally, the people upon whom this burden would fall are interested to learn wherein are the benefits to tsas1rsrvedt sri'a...-.71effttto comp&sats for such large outlay. Those who arc clamoring for territorial government will tell you that we would have conferred upon us the great satisfac- tion of enjoying the blessing of full hedged citizens boon our fathers fought for. We fail to perceive wherin, under the present system of local government. we suffer any cur tailment of personal liberty, or that we are not blessed with as much free dom as could be honestly craved by any American citizen.
 The physical conditions in Alaska being so different from those pre- vailing in the territories of the United States are such. in my opinion, as to preclude the expectation of a successful result for Us under a terri torial form of government therefore the argument that these territories of the United States havo found advisable snch a form of government would seem untenable. Our important towns and mining districts are situated cally cut of from the outside world for months each year, coupled with the difficulties and expense of tray | el, even under the most favorable con- ditions, that our present system of municipal government would seem to be adequate to the needs of the times especially would it be the case, were there few notifications and im- provements provided for in this system.
 The taxes are nominal: limited to provide for the maintance of well reg nlated government Under territorial government legislation might reason- ably be expected which would perhaps hamper, if. not restrict the operation of our present and future large mining companies, such as, for instance, an eight hour labor law, under which it would be difficult if possible, to op- crate successfully many of our large, low grade ore bodies, to which we look for increased activity and pros perity in the mining future of this vast domain of Alaska. Capital in generous amounts is necessary in the development and operation of these mines, and Capital and Labor should move together, and our future prosper ity depends as much upon the protec- tion and encouragement of Capital as it does upon any feature of the situa- tion. The adoption of a territorial form of government, with the inevi- table attendant high taxation, would undoubtedly deter the investment of the capital, without which these val uable deposits would lie dormant for an indefinite period of time. Such legislation would introduce into Alas ka the walking delegate" and labor troubles, from which we have thus far been free, the bad results of which would be deplorable both to Labor and Capital.
 Could see any substantial benefits to be derived through the adoption of territorial form of government for Alaska I would gladly join in the effort to secure the favorable action. of A..A