The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1912-04-27
HOME RULE FOR ALASKA A
NON-PARTISAN PATRIOTIC BILL

every dollar 1t cost, ana be one of
the best and quickest agencies to
help the people on the Pacific coast
of which | am able to conceive.
These are the things which Alaska
wants and that | shall continue to
fight for in congress and out of con-
gress until they are finally granted:
First, home rule for Alaska; second,
better safeguards for navigation. and
third, better transportation facilities.
We ought to do something for Alas
ka. 1t is shame the way congress
treats Alaska. 1t is un-American, un.
democratic and unrepublican. II is
disgrace to the fundamental princi.
pies of American citizenship. | cry
out against governing Alaska like
conquered province. l have done ali
could for Alaska since | have been
member of congress, but have not
been able to make much progress, but
| shall keep up the fight for the right
| Until llt ptOllt vi FNitlshd SNN WHAT
they want, what they demand IS
American citizens-namely, territorial
government, better transportation ia
cilities and more safeguards to navi.
cation.
say it is an outrage on the citi-
zens of Alaska from every state in
the union, who have made 1t their
home, who intend to live and die
there. and who are developing her
vast mineral resources, and the other
important resources of that vast EN-.
pire in our great northwest say it
is an outrage and a shame that the
congress of the United States does
not give those good and worthy citl.
zens the legislation they demand.
1t is a fundamental principle of
American patriotism-a saying in this
country since revolutionary days-"No
taxation without representation" The
fathers of the republic fought for that
principle, but, strange as it may seem,
more than century afterwards the
congress Of the United States denies
the citizens Of the district of Alaska
territorial government and taxes
them every year, without their con-
sent, several hundred thousand dol
lars, which is turned into the treasury
of the limited States
Mr.. chairman, every newspaper in
Alaska, ] believe is in favor Of this
bill for territorial government. The
Democrats and the Republicans In the
Alaska conventions recently held have
unanimously passed resolutions in
favor of territorial government. There
is not man in Alaska today, in my
judgment, who is a bona fide resi-
dent of Alaska and intends to stay
there and live there, who is not IN
favor Of territorial government. II
anyone here doubts what l say, let
him go to Alaska and find out for
himself.
| am in favor of the pending bill
1t is a meritorious measure. 1t will
soon be>a law. want to congratu-
late the chairman and the committee
on the territories for bringing in this
bill. have gone over it very care
first man in congress that ever in
troduced bill to give Alaska ter
ritorial government I introduced
that bill years ago at the request Of
nonpartisan convention held by the
people of Alaska. The presiding Off
Ger of that convention was Hon. A.
p. Swineford, formerly governor of
Alaska-a great man He has gone
to his reward, and he has gone into
history as Alaskas grand old man."
He helped me draw the first bill for
territorial government for Alaska. /
am sorry that the dear old Governor
Swineford is not living today to wit.
ness what we are doing. II would
gladden. his heart more than anything
I that ever happened in his long and
illustrious career
want to congratulate the delegate
from Alaska, Judge Wickersham, for
all he has done to bring about this
great legislative reform. know
whereof / speak when | say that he
voices the sentiment of every true
Alaskan when he speaks for his bill
for home rule for Alaska.
want to congratulate the people
OF Alaska upon getting finally what
they have prayed for these many
| years, the simple right TO meet In
legislative assembly through their