The Ketchikan miner., 1907-05-11
WHY THIS PROFOUND SILENCE?

WHY THIS PROFOUND SILENCEf
 Sometime ago. The Miner tempor- arily laid aside a discussion of the question of popular home government. in so far as the real merits were con- cerned. and took up the one and only objection presented hy the opponents of the proposed measure-the probable expense of adninistration-an0 proceeded 10 discussion of the issue from that standpoint alone. It did this because that objection had been urged not only by the puny, iii-in- formed brace of anti-home govern ment editors at the so-called 'capi tal. . of the so-called territory, but by the man with the ''big stick who assumes the right to dictate what shall and shall not be done by the congress in all matters relating 10 the district. as an insuperahle obstacle to the successful administration Of 8 territorial. or other form of popular home government in Alaska. Not withstanding the utter stiffness of the objection thus urged. The Miner. lay ing aside all other points involved, undertook 10 show. and substantiate by facts and figures gleaned from official repotrts of territorial gover- nors. that the expense of maintaining territorial organization in Alask !, need not necessarily exceed the aggregate amount part of our people only are now actually contrib uting to the federal treasury under the operation Of the federal license and occupation tax law. At the same time. il pointed out other sources of revenue which could readily be utilized 10 an extent sufficient 10 ai least double the amount now being drawn from our people. and that 100 withou. hardship. injustice or injury 10 any person or interest, and al the same time challenged success ful contradiction of either it's argu- ment. facts. figures or conclusions.
 It has waited patiently for an acceptance of that challenge. but none has come from any quarter. Even Governor Hoggatt, who has asserted that the administration of 8 terri torial form of government would cost a million dollars annually. is silent. and evidently does not feel it incum- bent on him 10 produce the facts and figures nee =ssary to justify. even in part, such an extraordinary assertion. The brace of anti-territorial organs are likewise silent for reasons that are wholly obvious.
 The Miner having taken up and discussed the question from their own stand poin. of expense. why, ii indeed. they are honest and have TO. been intent upon deceiving the people. why this silence: II The Miner has been wrong in it's statement Of facts and conclusions. it should be very easy 10 prove il 10 have been so. and people who have been 50 positive in their statements should not be willing to rest content under the imputation of gross perversion of the trulh-tor under such imputation they must necessarily rest until they shall have made good their assertion by 8 sub stantial array of facts and figures.
 Again, why this silence: Is il pro- longed for the purpose of lulling the people into forgetfulness Of question the friends and. advocat es of special interests are desirous Of relegating to the rear? IL looks that way: but the question will not down at the bidding Of those whose every move betrays the fact that il is the welfare of special and selfish interests they are intent upon serving, rather than those of the people.