The Ketchikan miner., 1908-06-20

peo pie, and would win them votes.
 This evidence of insineerity places them in the position of catering to sentiment for selfish interests; they are after the office and the prestige that goes with it. I submit that the party adopting these tactics is not a safe custodian of the public welfare.
 Home rule is principle that is dear to the American people, and the only objection that I have ever heard to it being applied to Alaska, by reasona- b le men, is that it would place bur- den upon the people. This might be the case under that certain system proposed by our Republican opponents but believe that all the rights and privileges of home rule can be obtain ed without additional taxation. My position on this question will be to fa- vor that system which will insure to the people the right to regulate Alas kan affairs through legislature elected by the people, but which will DC luGA DCDSlNC III OPOI ouiOh uht Pi dS- tical in its effect. I believe that Alaska's future depends upon mining, and that her development will arise from that industry.
 One of my first acts, if elected, will be to endeavor to have the mining laws so amended that they will meet the conditions that exist in Alaska.
 We must have system of mining laws which will protect the miner, prospector and investor and will pre- vent the large amount of litigation which has constantly menaced the in dustry.
 They should also encourage the de- velopment of Alaska mineral wealth and prevent the appropriation of mineral lands, unless such appropria- tion shall be made with the intention of bona fde development.
 The mineral and fishing industries are the basis of Alaska wealth, and while other industries have been un- dertaken and will arise in the future, they must and have come through the foundation which these industries have laid.
 Alaska needs campaign of educa- tion to properly bring her possibilities and resources before the people of the United States. This -.could be very properly and inexpensvely done by your delegate through the many agen- cies which his office will permit him to take advantage of. Instead of the land of ice and snow, which Alaska is credited with be ing among large part of the country's population, these people should be educated to the fact that Alaska is capable of pro- ducng many of the products of agri- culture which contribute to the wealth of our agricultural states. The erroneous idea which prevailed when Seward contracted the purchase of this territory prevails to certain ex- tent still, and there is reason to a | iol CheSiSe lOi pilO III oI CdU- ment accorded us by the National gov ernment. Alaska is the only territory that has been compelled to pay it's own maintenance, and it. has done so in way and under such circumstances as speak wonders for the country. Other territories in their struggling infancy were aided and assisted by the national government, but Alaska was left to paddle her own canoe. No course was laid and no beacon light other than which she herself estab- lished was ever shown to light the way on her march of progress. l believe it is the duty and province of the na- improvements in the terr. dory, and these improvements should not be confined to the income to be derived from them at the present time, but should be based upon the future bene- fits to the territory. Money spent in this respect will r dound in benefit uo Lou oHIy 1hiaoh't, 'uo oiio SOuH1iy d1 large.
 I believe that the government should render assistance toward the building of railroads and wagon roads for these are the great agencies in the march of progress. And when the means of communication which will be estab- lished by this method will take place, Alaska will forge ahead at pace which will be pleasant surprise to even her most persistent advocates. Ladies and Gentlemen, 1 want to say to you that those of us who live in Alaska are the pioneers of popula- ton which is to eolns after ns which will look upon us in conservative and deliberate manner and will meas ure our lives by the interest which we took in the honor and the welfare of our country. At large let us en- deavor to leaYe behind us the legacy that what we do was done for the up- building of our territory. My idea of the duty of the United States tow ard Alaska is that it should take the same interest in its welfare that father should in his children and that inter- oct of fatbop povor pon1oraI ,,pto