The Ketchikan miner., 1907-04-20
APRIL 20, 1907
IS IT AN IDEAL PLAN?

to popular home government TOT Alaska. The Miner would be inclined to seriously doubt the accuracy oi the assertion imputed to Gov. Hog gait. by the Seattle Post-lntelligen- cer. that "Alaska is at the present time operated under the most nearly ideal plan available.h If he really made such an assertion, it indicates that the governor has never given much study, if any at all, to the science of government, at least not from the American standpoint. The sentiment involved in such state ment is one which prevailed In the dark and unenlightened ages, ana certainly does not in the least har- monize with the American principle and theory of government, which has had an unbroken existence, except in the case of Alaska alone, ever since the fathers of the republic throttled the British lion and found- ed here in America a government based upon the will and consent ot the governed It was that kind of sentiment that in the ages that have passed away sustained and perpetual ed the sway of tyrants and prolonged their rule over helpless peoples; but it is doubtful if it would now find favor even in despotic Russia, other than with the bureaucracy which still seeks to proong its despotic power. It is sentiment which has no right ful place in the American theory oi government by the people.
 But the governor assertion that Alaska is at present operated under the most nearly ideal plan available, is not truthful one, nor is 1t likely to be accepted as such by many oi those who profess a fear of territorial organization. Strange isn't 1t that plan of government so nearly Ideal should never have been adopted and applied to any other part or parcel ol American territory, or to any frag- ment of American people. Is that an ideal plan of government in which the people are allowed no voice. not even to the election of magistrates having any civil jurisdiction what ever? in which all the officials are appointed, either from abroad or by the self-same officials when installed: Tn which appeals from the lower courts are to those to whom the minor officials are indebted for their places? in which the governor is a mere fgurehead, without sufficient duties enjoined upon him to prevent his usurpation and misuse of the only authority the people are supposed to have the right to repose in another as their delegate in congress-is that an ideal plan of government. To the governor, with a liberal salary, ana practically no duties to perform, 1t probably appears so: but it Is one that does not commend itself to those chiefly concerned rank and file of the people.
 We receive much financial helI from the national government, says the governor. Yes. and every dollar of il comes out of our own pockets, in the way of license and occupation taxes imposed upon Us by that same government. Not one of the appro- priations to which he refers are, in view of the liberal treatment hereto fore accorded the organized territor- ies, justly chargeable against Alaska It has appropriated large amounts, in money and public lands, for the con- struction of roads and making inter- nal improvements in the several states and territories. compared with which the appropriations for Alaska referred to bv the governor are wholly insig- nificant. Therefore, The Miner feels justified in the assertion that every dollar the government expends on account of Alaska-aside from that il would expend just the same under a territorial form of government, and aside from appropriations for the general public benefit of the country at large, is contributed by the people and industries of Alaska.
 One of the chief objects in the minds of some of those who are cry ing for territorial government, says the governor, is to secure in this way a reduction of the liquor license. The Miner is not informed how the governor has possessed himself of a knowledge of what is in the mirds of some people, but it is hardly possible that the comparatively few liquor dealers in Alaska could succeed in such an effort, and it is certain none others deslre it. The suggestion is too utterly silly to warrant com ment other than by pointing to the liouor license law as further illus tration of his ideal plan" of govern ment. Is that an ideal plan, or law, which bases the amount of license on opulation-which assesses one person $500. another 5000 and another $500?
 An ideal government to be sure.
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