The Alaska citizen., 1912-06-03

is, in round numbers s2O6ooO oOo or more than 2s times the paid Russia the territory
 MT Chairman, have spoken of Alaska's resources as reason for recognition Her of gold silver iron, coal tin and copper, are ady be great are considered by many practically nexhausble. She has the largest stamp mill in the world Treadwell and bids fair 10 become the grea.est goldproducng country on earth. The rapid development the gold ard silver mining industry Alaska during the past few years is shown by the fact that the production advanced firm about s3.o0oo00 in 1906 to about s17- 0O0O00 in 1910. This will increase rather than dim finish. Al the value the precious metals lies chiefly in the gold placers and ths interior regions. In the Nome region square miles are known carry auriferous graves while in the Yukon basin the of aurerous gravels probably several times as large But is all placer ing. Gov Clark tha, quartz mining the kind in which Alaska will preeminent in the near future and that even now it is afforiing the finest illustration in the world of profitable working of low grade ores
 In the regi-n of southeastern Alaska mining for gold, and silver has besn going num- Der of years. The development of this industry has been especially rapid since 1898 and it promises become one of the important mining districts of the country The discovery copper deposits in Alaska was made only few years Copper ing is now being done in several districts many tons cf copper ore are being shipped skly the smelters The investigations of the past years have shown, however, there are uuquestonabIy vast und- yeloped copper deposits in other dis ric of Alaska. The coal Alaska embraces lgnes h.jumnous. and ant. racite Coal has been iu rgary every part of Alaska, both the coast and in the in erior The coal widely distributed ina f mus be regarded the important re sources | is conservative ina to pace the occupied by the albearng al 30oo0 square miles. Accurate statements be 10 the figures of the fish mdusry he year 1911 but ii be said that been continually growing and is still E its infancy More varieties of food fish nhabt tas Alaskan waters. The put of salmon amounts than $15o0o,ooo year Alaska can feed the fish-eating people of the world.
 Considering the the vast possibilities of Aaska-and all of these statements be proved by records file various departments of the government-c nsidering, say. wha, is absolutely known and which can not be successfully conro- verted stand here a representative of the people on the floor of the American Congress and ask why Alaskans should have the right govern them selves? Why they should rule? Why they should not have territorial pause for reply in the negative.
 No true American deny Alaska home rule. No par tic citizen will object Alaskans having local legislature and ,he rgh make their laws. Under the this territorial bill each ii these four divisions indicated map have two. representatives in the elected by the people four representatives in the assembly elected by peo- pe and the est of this local self will be so Etinesimal in comparison the great wealth that Alaska is pouring into the treasury that we shall hereafter wonder why Alaska denied su long local sef-government
 Mr Chairman, have been to Alaska several times l know something cf that domain know some, thing about the sentiments of the people who there and stand here and declare people of Alaska want territorial government and, knowing the facts as d. l unhesitangly and I defy successful reutaon, that under all the circumstances Alaska is now and lng has been entitled territorial govern ment, and congress ought give the Alas kans without delay. Alaska an anamoly IF the history Of our territories. know that peo-
 
 capable of maintaining a form government such has always heret fore been territories of the United States, and l deprecae idea of fur tAer burdening the with purely local legs-