Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-21

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geographical maps later adopted by the
geological survey.
xx
1t takes the Alaskan delegate nearly a
year to cover his district in a campaign
He reaches the coast cities by boat, goes
down the Yukon to the interior, and goes
in, as far as time and facilities permit, to
the interior camps. So closely is the
population packed in the settled districts,
however, that he is able to tell by mid
night of election day, from the Geographic
reports from the more important cities,
whether or not he has been elected.
Delegate Ralph H. Cameron of Arizona
moved out to Arizona in 1888. His APP
pearance hardly suggests the work he has
done in the southwest as sheriff, pioneer,
trail builder, stock raiser and miner.
Cameron was sheriff of Coconino county
for three terms. He located and built the
Bright Angel trail into the Grand Canyon
Of the Colorado, and he still maintains it.
The position Of the delegate in Congress
has always been q source of trouble
When the number of states was smaller
and the territories more numerous the
delegates were frequently in controversy
with members of the House as to what
powers they could exercise.
AS a. matter of fact, although the Con-
stitution of the United States provides
only for senators and representatives
from states, and does not mention dele
gates from territories, the delegate was
in 1887. two years before the Constitution
was adopted
In that year the Continental Congress
passed IAN ordinance for the govern
ment of the territory of the United States
northwest Of the River Ohio" and au-
delegate to Congress who should have
the right of debating. but not of vot-
ing" In 1917 that principle was put
into general law by Congress, so that
all territorial delegates are now author
lied to debate. but are prohibited from
voting.
In the earlier days. time and again the
delegates had to appeal to the House to
dete. mine their powers and standing.
Henry H Sibley, then a delegate from
Wisconsin, afterward governor of the
state Of Minnesota, secured memorable
ruling in 1S49, when he took charge on
the floor Of the House, Of the passage of
the bill to organize the territory of Min
nesota.
Sibley's right to make the necessary
motions was questioned. and he appealed
to Speaker Robert C. Winthrop of Massa-
chusetts After a careful study of the
authority under which delegates sit in
the House, and the presidents which had
governed their participation in its pro-
ceedings, Speaker Winthrop permitted
Delegate Sibley to make the necessary
motions.
1T is clear that the gentleman from
Wisconsin has no right to VOTE said
Speaker Winthrop. THE chair has had
some doubt whether the gentleman has
the right to mako a motion. 1t has,
however, been the uniform practice In
the House to allow delegates to make
motions.
The chair believes upon the whole.
that delegates from territories could not
subserye the purpose for which they are
sent here unless they have the right to
make motions. and as the law does not
deny them that right, the chair
Is disposed to accord to them the larg-
est liberty
Most of the questions concerning the
rights of delegates were settled long ago.
Practically all of the internal problems,
lands. homestead laws. set
tiers rights, mining and prospecting with
have gone into the hands of
state delegations Within another year
there will be a marked change in the
character OF the territorial delegation.
It will then be distinctly the representa-