Douglas Island news., 1915-05-05
The Order of the Court


 court, called all the saloon keepers of Douglas and Juneau before him and announced Co them his latest iuterpre- tation of the Alaska liquor law. He announced that he would appoint enumerators, four for Juneau and three for Douglas These enumerators were to take a complete census of the male and female residents, other than Indians, over the age of 2l years, living within two miles of the saloons. He also stated that in each town au elec- tion would be held ou May 2ith, at which all those whose names had been registered by the enumerat0rs would be entitled Go vote for or against sa- loops. He further stated that all those registered, who failed Co vote would be counted as opposed to sa. loons
 Ever since the Alaska liquor law was passed by the United States congress, each succeeding judge has interpreted it's provisions in a different way and after the dictates of his own con- science. First a general vote was taken in each towu-this resulted wet. Next petitions were circulated Co which sig natures were secured until The court was thoroughly convinced that a ma- ioritv of all those entitled had given their consent as evidenced by their sig. nature. Last year Judge Jennings decided that be would appoint euum- orators, who would register the names of all those qualified and at the same time note their choice of wet or dry. All these experiments brought the same result-a decidedly wet vote.
 Now comes the ruling that alt whose names are registered by the euumera tors shall be counted on the dry side unless they appear at the voting place at a certain hour on a certain day and vote wet.
 The News readily agrees that all of the foregoing plans. method, or inter pretations of the law may have been technically aud legally correct. We will even coucede that both the recent interpretations by Judge Jennings may be in accordance with the letter of the law, but we do honestly believe that no more ingenious method could have been devised Co deprive the people of their rights, and make the towns of Alaska dry whether her citizens want ed it that way or not.
 Alaska had Der experiment with prohibition aud it was a most decided failure. All the power of the federal government was engaged iu the effort Go keep liquor out of the district. Smugglers fourisbed and deputies and collectors were bought and sold. Sa looms or joints multiplied. Some were bad and others worse. Finally in supreme disgust, Alaskans cried for relief and congress passed the liquor law, placing it's administration in the hands of the then only recognized authority, the federal court.
 In more recent years towns have been allowed to incorporate, and the District of Alaska has become the Territory of Alaska with a law making body of it's own. Suu, because of the general confidence in the integrity and fairness of the District Judges tho granting of licenses has been left in their hands
 There is absolutely DO doubt that the majority of citizens, or residen,s,- either way you take it-iu the towns of Douglas aud Juneau have no desire to return to the smuggling. boot-leggiDg methods. One striking reason for this is that the present method of licensed bars tends toward morality and tenn perance. Another reason is the largest definite source of revenue is from the licenses of saloons. The question: of revenue is a serious one in all Alaska towns. Schools, streets, sewers, lights, ali add to the municipal expense. Only a limited amount can be raised by direct taxation, because by act of congress the tax levy is limited Co 2 per cent, and furthermore, the amount of taxable property is naturally limited because of the newuess of everything. Alaskaus are an ambitious people, aud want everything that is modern. Not content with graded schools, each town must have a high school. To return to .ha old drv plan would mean going