Iditarod pioneer., 1911-11-04
WICKERSHAM AND THE NEWSPAPERS

That Alaska now furnishes an important issue in United States politics IS fact rather remarkable when harks back to the slight esteem in which the territory held few short years ago. Just seven years and four months ago to day in public address people of Alaska heard for the first time the doctrine of self self respect proclaimed before large and representative audience. At that time Alaska possession" held as pasture for political hacks. Then item of legislation affecting Alaska could get through congress before all Eastern senator had rafed it nsinuation that the territory would have recognition part of the United States Officials disdainfu that they would not speak of Alaska territory but designated dis rict as more accurately defining their feelings regarding it.
 On July 4 1904, in a speech at Fairbanks Judge James Wckersham alluded to Alaskas future and foretod with degree of accuracy the things that are taking place. The Pioneer has not copy of that address, but knows from memory that it contained much prophecy that has true. The situation it exists today predicted then and all the United States it is known that the time has come-as the speaker said it would come-when the Alaska question must be answered. It be settled what political and property rights will be accorded resi- dents of the Northern territory.
 As delegate to congress Judge Wickersham has been instrumental in bringing the matter head and gaining respectful hearing of Alaskas claims the read instmpn of the terrtorys relation the republic It is the dele gates persistent and consistent labors in congress and out that causing President Taft protest from coast coast that he wants to do right by Alaska he explains
 s attitude toward it. He knows at last that his arrogance toward Americans in Alaska has added to the general dis trust which makes another nomination for himself tain 4t aud the defeat of his party very probable
 1t was inevitable that the crisis in Alaskan affairs should come. The un-Amercan costly and intellectual manner of ruling the territory carried in the seeds us own deStruCuOn which were bound to sprOut or later But it is largely due to the presence in Washing ton of Wckesham delegate from Alaska that the case his constituents commands universal respect and that the questions of right and wrong, we'll expediency have entered into the consideration.
 It IS significant that Governor Clark who is nOtl- ing more less than agent of the administration resi- dent in Alaska has embodied in his annual report mendation for the adoption of several important formerly introduced by Delegate Wckersham but defeated by the administration opposition Among these provision for the ndigen the exact lines laid down by the delegate and legislation for the purpose of keeping down the wholesale bankeng of the placer grounds by speculators.
 It is a strange circumstance which shall not now attempt to eXplain that while this prestige and these sautay measures were being advanced by the delegate majority of Alaska newspapers have opposed him and tried by every means of which they capable destroy his influence They have not succeeded neither will they Keep Delegate Wickersham from being reelected next year. even as he was last year when representatives of the onal administration touring the territory in futile effort to his defeat The efforts of the newspapers to discredlt Wickersham discre themselves before the people of their respective communities. In Fairbanks, especially We believe the newspapers harning their section of the territory.
 This intended mild statement of important facts. There no desire on the part of the Pioneer dictate other newspapers But it does want say to the people