Valdez daily prospector., 1914-10-13
DELEGATE TALKS
 ID VALDEZ PEOPLE

Delegate WlckerSham talked last night at Eagle hall and paid his con- pliments to 8 few of those who op- pose him. He also told the people of the things which had been done for Alaska during the past four years under the Taft and Wilson admins trations, claiming for himself the en- tire credit for the good and finding some one to blame for the bad mis- takes in legislation.
 The Eagle hall was crowded to the doors. Many of the citizens have known the delegate for ten years and as he is a speaker of more than ordi- nary ability. he was honored by large crowd
 The delegate started out his speech by trying to show that he had done much for the dike bill. He failed, however. to comply with the Pros pector's suggestion that he show doc umentary proof that he raised his voice for the bill It is true that one year before the bill did pass the delegate wired to a political repre- sentative in Valdez stating the bill had passed. Wickersham did noth- ing for the dike bill. but secretly op posed it because of his dislike of Col onel Richardson.
 The delegate also denounced the fisheries, but failed to tell the peo- pie that in his home rule bill the Alas ka legislature is directly forbidden from passing any legislation regard ing the fisheries. Why the people of Alaska were not to be allowed to legislate against the fish robbers of the territory, the men who are steal ing millions of dollars worth of fish each year, destroying as much more and paying not one red cent in tax es, Is more than the average voter can understand.
 ~~ The delegate stated that he could not understand how an American with one drop of red blood in his veins could oppose self-government for Alaska. yet the delegate himself op. posed it before he was a candidate for election and then. realizing it's potency as a vote getter. he jumped into the band wagon.
 He also landed upon Colonel Rich ardson, but the big road builder needs no defense by his friends. He has done more constructive work in the territory, secured more appropri- ations from congress for road work and dike building. has made more friends and fewer enemies for the northland among Washington states. men than the politician who plays to the galleries for votes.
 The Socialists were passed up by the delegate. who claimed they were half vote for the Guggenheims, and were as so many white checks in the, game. He appealed to them for their votes. claiming to have had passed . miners lien bill, forgetting to tell tho audience that every labor organiation in the north has denounced his law because 1t favored the banker and the big merchant and did not protect the miner. . ..a...,., .
 "T am in favor of the Australian ballot for Alaska" said the delegate. Yet the Wickersham votes in the nrst Alaska legislature defeated the Mil lard-Ingram bill for that purpose.
 The Prospector compliments the delegate upon being the best bunco artist in the north, who has fed at the public crib for ten years, drawing down in that time over $100,000 of public money. always ready to sup port the interests that will best pay him. The Guggenheims were we'll satisfied with Jim Wickersham on the
 (Continusd on pare O.