The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-27
Strong Evidence

maliciOuSly SlanderouS cnardcter ol tle alleged postscript could not be had. Its only significance is the light it throws on the bitterness and venom of some of those who take active part in every discussion of Alaskan issues. The in l tensity of their desire to besmirch all 1 who invest in that district. and all who are officially connected with Its admin ] istration, operates upon the minds of weak or depraved human instruments and prompts the fabrication of such false testimony as this postscript. I dislike to dwell upon this feature of the case. but it is so full of a les son that ought to be taken to the heart of every patriotic citizen that can not pass it over in silence.
 "When I made this order was aware that the condition of public opinion in reference to investments in Alaska famed by charges of handsome well founded and others of an hysterical and unjust or false character-would lead to an attack upon 1t and to the ques- tioning of my motives in signing it. I remarked this when I made the order, and I was not mistaken. But a public officer when he conceives it his duty to take affirmative action in the pub lie interest, has no more right to allow fear of unjust criticism and attack to hinder him from taking that action than be would to allow personal and dishonest motives to affect him. It is easy in cases like this to take the course which timidity prompts, and to do nothing. but such a course does not lnure to the public veal.
 Believes in Care
 'I am in full sympathy with the con- cern of reasonable and patriotic men that | yha ,-al, II
 not be turned over to be exploited for
 the profit of greedy, absorbing, monopolis-
 tic corporations or syndicates Whatever
 the attempts which have been made no
 one, as a matter of fact, has secured in
 Alaska any undue privilege or franchise
 not completely under the control of Cons
 gress. and in all the scandal with which
 the public has been regaled very few
 specific instances of corrupt or improper
 attempts to acquire vested. interests in
 Alaska have been shown by evidence that
 would stand the test Of judicial exam
 nation. withstanding this, however
 I am in full agreement with the view tha
 every care, both in administration and in
 legislation, must be observed to prevent
 the corrupt or unfair acquisition of un-
 due privilege, franchise or right from
 the government in that district. But
 every one must know that the resources
 of Alaska can never become available
 either to the people of Alaska or 10 the
 public of the United States unless reason.
 able opportunity Is granted to those who
 would invest their money to secure a re- , turn proportionate to the risk run in the investment and reasonable under all tn, | circumstances.
 , "On the other hand, the acrimony o. , spirit and the intense malice that hay,
 been engendered in respect of the ad , minstration of the government ir , Alaska and In the consideration ol P measures proposed for her relief and tn,
 wanton recltlessness and eagerness witt !, which attempts have made to besmircf = the characters of high officials havins :. . to do with the Alaskan government, an( even of persons not in public life. ore. : sent condition that calls for con. demnation and requires that the public be warned of the demoralization tha- has been produced by the hysterca , suspicious of good people and the un. r 1 scrupulous and corrupt misrep resenta ( tions of the wicked. The helpless stat, 7. to which the credulity of some and tn,