Douglas Island news., 1912-01-17
TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT
The Great Question that will
 not down handled in a mas terIy manner by Governor
 Walter E. Clark, of Alaska.

Through the kindness of Governor Clark, Alaska papers were furnished with an abstract of his annual report in advance of it's publication, which abstract was released on the 18th inst.
 Believing that the most important question to the people of the North is that of government, we publish in full what the Governor has to say on the subject:
 Since the enactment of the civil code in 1900 Alaska has enjoyed form of government much superior to that which was afforded under the organic act of 1884. The recent general rule of appointing residents of the territory to the local federal offices has brought good results and, generally speaking, the character and efficiency of officers especially among those connected with the district courts-are much higher than was the case ten years ago. The chief faults in the present govern ment are not found in the mere form or government or in the iRstrumentalities provided for administering it; they arise. rather, from the lack of certain laws especially suited to local needs. Indeed, several laws which are recog- uized as necessary everywhere and which have been enacted for the oene- fit of every other territory or posses sions of the United States have been withheld from Alaska. The people be lieve this is due simply to neglect.
 It is generally admitted that If these things were provided by the Congress, fewer persons would favor at this stage any radical change in the mere form of government. Conditions being as they are, however, and not as they should be, there exists considerable demand for local territorial organization with a legislature elected by the people. This sentiment is made manifest both within and without the territory. l think the outside advocates may be disregarded, as they are generally not informed and, moreoyer, are nen-resf- dents, who would not assume any of the responsibilities of the new govern ment. Among the residents of Alaska there are many sincere advocates of the policy of forming local territorial government with an elective leglsla- ture. and turning over to the local governments all those affairs of local legislation and administration which are usually assumed by territories fully organized as such. There are others who oppose it strongly; and since these opponents are usually to be found among the larger property own CTS, sometimes the representatives, of large corporations, they have encoun- tered the charge, just in some instances no doubt, that self interest and not the public interest is responsible for their attitude. So the question has been de- bated with much bitterness-so much in fact, that the discussion has not generally been enlightening or valua- ble; and the subject has been so in yolyed with selfish political ambitions that much of the discussion has not even been sincere. dn short, sane and sober consideration of the issue, cal culated to determine it on sheer merit, has been coaspicuously wanting.
 The principal considerations urged in favor of a territorial legislature are (l) that the people have constitu- tional right to govern themselves-at least within the limitations which have been placed upon other territorltles prior to statehood; t2l that the mem bers of a local legislature would under