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

but TOT ms well huOWH OPPo'ioi to popular home government for Alaska, The Miner would be inclined to seriously doubt the accuracy o1 the assertion imputed to Gov. Hog gait, by the Seattle Post-Intelligen- cer, that "Alaska is at the present time operated under the most nearly ideal plan available. 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, and 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 government based upon the will and consent oi the governed. It was that kind oi 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 prolong its despotic power. It is a sentiment which has no right full place in the American theory of government by the people.
 But the governors assertion that Alaska is at present operated under the most nearly ideal plan available, is not truthful one, nor is it likely to be accepted as such by many ot those who profess fear of territorial organization. Strange isn't it that plan of government so nearly ideal should never have been adopted and applied to any other part or parcel of 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 mere figurehead, 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 liberal salary, and
 practically no duties to perform, it probably appears so; but it is one that does not commend itself to those chiefly concerned-the rank and file of the people.
 We receive much financial help from the national government, says the governor. Yes, and every dollar of it 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 by 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 it 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 knowledge of what is in the minds of some people, but it is hardly possible that the comparatively few liquor dealers in A Alaska could succeed in such an effort, and it is certain none others desire it. The suggestion is too utterly silly to warrant com ment other than by pointing to the liquor 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 population-which assesses one person $500, another 5000 and another $l5OO?
 An ideal government to be sure!
 presiclent Roosevelt is inclined to