The daily Alaskan., 1909-12-29
TAFT CHANGES FRONT.

According to press dispatches from Washington, D. C., Senator Beveridge will introduce in the Senate bill providing for a legislative council for Alaska, somewhat similar to the Yu- kon council, which so successfully co duets the affairs of the Yukon and has often been suggested to Washing ton as a pattern for a home rule gov erument for Alaska, the Yukon coun- eli now being wholly elective.
 The council will consist of the gov ernor. four members appointed by the Presiden' and four elected members, one to be chosen from each judicial division. The council will be empow- cred to enact all local legislation, subject of course, to the approval of Congress.
 President Taft is said to favor the Sm If this is the case the Presi- dent has undergone a remarkable change of front within comparative ly short time. for no later than Dec. z in his message to Congress, Taft treated the Alaskan situation as fol, lows:
 ALASKA
 With respect to the territory of Alaska, recommend legislation whic shall provide for the appointment by the President of Governor and al so of an executive council, the mem bers of which shall during their term of office reside in the territory, and which shall have legislative powers sufficient to enable it to give to the territory local laws adapted to its present growth. l strongly depricate legislation looking to the election of a territorial legislature in that vast district. The lack of permanence of residence of a large part Of the pres ent population and the small number of the people who either permanent ly or temporarily reside in the dis uict as compared with its vast ex- panse and the variety of the interests mat have to be subserved, make 1t altogether unrtting in my judgment to provide for a popular election of a legislative body. The present system is not adequate and does not furnish the character of local control that ought to be there. The only comprO- mise it seems to me which may give needed local legislation and secure conservative government is the one propose"
 What caused this change of front is a matter of speculation, It may be possible the President has thought the situation over and decided that Alaska is entitled to some slight rep resentatiou. even though the appoint ees win outuumber the elective mem bers of the council. But from what We know of Taft We are inclined to believe that this concession has been made from political exigeucy.
 Although Alaskas representative in Congress has no vote, Delegate Wick ersham announced that he intended to fight Tafts originally proposed commission form of government to the bitter end, and the measure itself was so manitestly unfair, allowing as 1t did, native born American citi- zens less voice in their own affairs than Filippinoes were granted several years ago, that it is extremely doubt tal if Congress could have been pre- vailed upon to pass the measure.
 The bill proposed by Beyeridge ma. have smoother sledding, It holds out a sop to public opinion by giving AL askans a vote-and little else. for the presidential appointeos will hold the reins in their hands, and while detection is common among elective legislators, political appOintees seldOr