The Alaska citizen., 1915-12-20
POLITICS HURTING TOWN.

It is too Lad that a controversy has been started between the two daily papers over Fairbanks becom- ing the interior terminal of the gov ernment railroad That matter was practically settled by themselves a couple of years ago when The Citi- zen suggested the advisability Of calling a mass meeting for the pur- pose of accomplishing the same re sult-Fairbanks at that time not having been mentioned Roth pa pers were very indignant at even the suggested thought that Fair banks was not already cared for and by force of their eloQuence, with the aid of Tom McGowan they succeeded in making 2 farce of the meeting which was called at the court room.
 If there was no danger at that time, what has happened to cause all this uneaGiness now!
 It is as plain az the nose on your face if you will only stop to think the matter over. It is case of too much politics.
 The Immortal Erwin went back to Washington to answer charges preferred against him. and while there could not resist the idea of putting in where he was not wantel and interfering in the work of the chosen representative of the people for the sole purpose of pushing him. self forward, and again for the pur- pose of discrediting the delegate His every thought was to injure the work of the delegate who rep resents more than 8 majority of all the people o' the territory. and l.. ultimately injury falls upon Fair banks, it would be working capital for Erwin at the next election. when he would lay all the blame upon the delegate. In that sense he Is g knocker. It is politics first with him. let the injury rest where 1t nay.
 And the two papers are scratch ing each others eyes out and calling each other liars for no other pur- pose than to support their own particular cnoice for political pre- ferment, and they thus stand in the same position of fighting against their home town just to play the game of politics.
 MT. Wickersham was elected by a majority of the people of the terri tory to represent them in Wash ington. The majority should rule. and the minority should be willing to assist in that ruling. Marshal Erwin was never chosen as represen- tative of the people. and when he goes back to Washington, whether it be from his own choice or the demands of his superiors. he should be notified to keep his mouth shut and not attempt to voice the senti- ments of the people. If he is desir- ous of acting in the capacity of dele gate to congress. let him accept the invitation" of The Citizen and be- come a candidate.
 We are not willing to acknowledge that the majority of the voters of the territory were right when they reelected Delegate Wickersham, but he was their choice then and he is our choice now and will be until there Is a better man chosen to run against him. But as long as he is the representative of the people he should have the undivided sup port of the whole people, and the political fight to the detriment of the community should be sQuelched in some manner. even though 1t be- came necessary to muzzle some or all of the participants.
 Marshal E.win can have his chance next fall If he has the courage. and the Times can fight their head off then If thev have not been "houRht"