The Alaska daily empire., 1914-10-03
WICKERSHAM
 AND INFLUENCE

In his speeches in SOutheaStern Al asza. Delegate Jas. Wickersham had a great deal to say about the wonder full influence that he has at Washing ton and the manner in which Demo cratic leaders have worked with him. lie particularly devoted a great deal of the time to the success which at- tended his efforts to secure the pas sage of the act creating Legislative assembly for Alaska. He said ht- tie about the manner in which the in- terest of the Democratic House of Representatives in his measure was secured. The fact is, a united effort on the part of Alaska and Seattle Dem ocrats had a great deal to do with the passage of the home rule bill, after it had been amended so as to make 1t acceptable to them as first step to- ward home rule for the Territory.
 Shortly before the beginning of the long session of the Democratic House of Representatives. which had been elected in 1910, Delegate Wickersham appealed to Alaska and Seattle Demo crats to aid him in securing the sup port of the Democratic leaders for home rule for Alaska. He even went so far as to say that if the Democrats would pass this bill that he was ready to retire from Congress and give his support in the election of 1912 to a Democrat. He was not asked to make this pledge, however.
 The writer was among those to whom the Delegate appealed to assist in getting the support of Alaska and Seattle Democrats, and Seattle com mercial organizations for his bill. The question was taken up by Judge Robert W. Jennings. of Juneau, the late Alfred Daly. of Nome. c. c. Heif- near and William Pigott, of Seattle, John w. Troy and other Democrats. Two prominent Alaskans who are Democrats. one of whom has never been active in politics and the other of whom was a supporter of the bolt ing faction in the campaign of 1912, the remnant of which at a sort of con ycntiou held at Valdez attempted to nominate Delegate Wickersham as the Progressive Democratic" candidate for Delegate to Congress, advised very strongly against the Democrats help ing the delegate. Both of them pro- tested that if the Democrats assisted the Delegate. and he got his bill through Congress that he would crown himself Emperor of Alaska" and would wear the crown for years to come.
 It was agreed at the conferences, by those whose names are mentioned, that duty to Alaska required the pas. sage of a bill recognizing the right of Alaska to make her own laws, regard less of the results on the personal pol itical fortunes of any man.
 However. before they would consent to urge the passage of the measure that had been introduced in the House by Delegate Wickersham and in the Senate by Senator Wesley L. Jones, of Washington, it was insisted that it be amended. The bill, as it stood even at that late date, provided for the merest shadow of home rule. In eff feet. it made the Legislature simply body to recommend laws to Con- 1 gress. for it contained a clause that would require the approval of Con- gress before any existing law should be changed. It also provided for con rerring full citizenship, which included the privilege of voting. serving on jur- ies. etc. upon the natives of Alaska