The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-10-03

deeply interested in the success OF the
Alaska. Yukon Pacific exposition, feel
that they have been sighted by the
exposition management, according to
Thomas Gale, Alasca's delegate to Con
gress, The people from the North feel
that the fair officials have not consulted
bona fide Alaskan residents, as much as
they should.
"rhere are competent men in Alaska
who could hll positions with the expo
sition" said Mr.. Gale. "The overlook
ing OF this body of Alaskan residents
has been through carelessness, doubtless.
ly, but it has aroused feeling that
should not exist The primary object
of the exposition, as ! understand 1t,
is the exploitation OF Alaska and its
resources. What men are more com
petent to do this than actual residents
of that country? / sincerely hope that
efforts will be made to offset this feel
ing in the North for it viii be detriment-
al to the fair IL II Ia not done away
with at once,
Delegate Gale arrived in Seattle yes.
terday morning on the Northwestern.
coming here rom Nome. where he spent
a week. He visited st. Michaels and
other Alaskan cities after leaving his
home at Fairbanks. When informed OF
the recent railroad troubles at Valdez,
he said:
"The people OF Alaska" he said, "re-
gard the conduct of these foreign cor
porations who are acquiring interests
in Alaska, as very little better than
that of highwaymen. Tor the reason
that they have brought in a very un-
desirable class of people. These are the
laborers who are brought in and organ
lied into camps OF bandits. They have
taken the law into their own hands,
and We feel n. ii our intelligence was
insulted by their conduct. 1t. is the
duty Of the federal government to put
a stop to these outrages, and to prose.
cute those who are guilty OF causing
them, If we had a government of our
own, it is certain that these people
would be prosecuted
people censure hboring men for or
ganizing into labor unions for their mu-
tual benefit but applaud when they are
organized and fight for corporation
These imported laborers are not the typ
ical American worgingman or Ahskans.
The majority Of them are nothing more
than an irresponsible lot OF hirelings.
Alaska needs home rule. We need a
legislature OF from twenty to twenty
five members to meet as one body.
DO not believe the country Is ready as
yet for county or township rule. We
do need territorial secretary, treas
uIer, attorney general and supcrintend-
ent Of public instruction. These, with
the legislature, for the present, would
meet all requirements.
II do not believe the Need of home gov
eminent admits OF argument. The peo-
pie are intelligent enough to govern
themselves. | maintain, as do all Amer,
leans, that whenever a territory or conn
munity asks for local legislature that
they are entitled to it for the reason
that they are willing to assume all re-
sponsibilities, financial or otherwise.
alaska is not confronted with as ma
nv difficulties as have Been most terri
tories when organized and which Later
become prosperous states. Take my
home state Of Wisconsin, for instance
1t then included the present states o
Wisconsin, Minnesota Iowa, the Dako
tas and parts OF other states, and ha'
but small fraction of the population
Alaska now has, and her ability t
maintain home government did not com
pare with that of Alaska.
| "Alaska's resources are far create
than those of any territory that wa
ever organized, with the exception o
Oklahoma. Alaska is the only terri
tory that was at the time Of its organ
ization self-supporting, with the sam
exception. This territory has pal
back into the treasury of the Unite
price, which was $7200O00, and ha
also paid $2,S0O,00O additional. N
other territory has such a balance o
Il its side of the sheet.
"a territory and a people that ca
produce revenue to that extent,
such a short time, requires no furtht
argument in its support.
"Another reason for asking for terr
torial government is that there are ma
ny things Of vast Importance to us whic
look very insignificant at and to Wasl
ngton. Besides it is asking too muc
of congress to devote its time and al
tentiOn to the details of Alaskan legii
lation. We simply ask that we be pc
mitted to govern ourselves, and we wi
relieve congress of that annoyance ar
trouble.
Ilnk