Douglas Island news., 1912-09-04
Hon. James Wickersham,
Delegate

Delegate James Wickersham has completed his labors at the national capital and is on his way to his home at Fairbanks. On Monday night re- ception was rendered him at Juneau, and last night he spoke at Natatorium hall in Douglas.
 In his talk last night Mir. WiCkersham laid aside much of his usual vindictive ness and spoke earnestly about the home rule bill, although at times he would refer 10 one or the other Of his political enemies in tones of singing sarcasm. With the exception of these occasional slips, his talk was sober and interesting, and very painstaking, in that be was careful to explain the most simple details of the political condition of Alaska and the privileges of it's ciri- zeus under the home rule bill
 There was a tendency on the part of the delegate to make frequent use of the pronoun "I,' and a person unac ouainted with the facts in the case wouId have believed that he, and he alone, had done all the work. How ever, heye is TO doubt that Mr.Wicker- sham is entitled to much credit for his part in bringing about the passage of the bill, and no one desires more earnestly to give him that credit than the writer.
 Mir. Wickersham explained that Alas ka bas really been territory all the time, except that it has lacked the one branch of government--a legisla ure. ln this statement he is supported by the recent decision of the supreme court iu the Hum boldt case, in which a writ of maudamus was issued compell- ing the interstate commerce commis- sion to recoguizr Alaska as territory sDd to extend it's functions accordingly. Because of this decision, said Mir. Wick ersham, AIaskaus will escape from the burden of excessive freight rates.
 Mr.. Wickersham said that when he was hrsC elected delegate 10 congress he believed that he was the great law giver, and that all he had to do was to 20 down to Washington and lay his home rule bill on the desk of congress, where it would be received with thanks and passed at once. lie discovered his mistake ia about two years, and, iL passing, paid his respects to the mem bsrs ot congress by saying that they were the laziest lot os shrimps that be had ever met and were so engTossed iD the pork barrel and the prospects of their own reelection that they had no time for other duties. They are eD tirely ignorant of Alaska, have no knowledge of conditions here, and what Is more care nothing about it.
 Speaking of the attitude of President Taft, he said that ip all of his messages to congress the president had urged a legislature for Alaska, but had also eontended that he should appoint its members. The president also informed MT. w lChtISudLA lIlesJ HIS LAlEu "eS made up on the subject and he did not care to discuss it. Yet ou the 24th day of August, 19I2,-the 55th birthday of AIaska's champion-the president sign ed the bill giving Alaska an elective Legislature
 Alaska, said the delegate, now oc, cupies the unique position of 45-year- old infant. It now has the rights and privileges that should have been given it forty-6ve years ago when it first be. came territory of the United States, as in the case of other territories. For this reason greater care must be exer- cised by it's legislature in passing bills affecting it. Better that the first legis- lature should pass only two or three good bills and theuEgo home and think about it, than that they should pass a lot of bad bills.
 Mir. Wickersham defended the home rule bill. He said it was good bill, and that it gave as much power to the Alaska legislature as was ever given to a territory by it's organic act. He ex- plained the difference between state and g territory, spoke of the sovereign