The Alaska daily empire., 1915-05-12

KetchilSan newspaper accuses The Empire of being rank Democrat" in its treatment of the late Legislature. If 1t means that The Empire supported democratic legislation. legislation that would bring gov crnment closer to the people, the charge is true If it means that The Empire attempted to embarrass Re publican members ol the Legislature and to manufacture partisan capital for Democrats it is not true If it means tha, The Empire interested in the Democratic party of the Nation and Alaska because they have the opportunity to serve Che Nation and Alaska and is pleased because they doing it so well that they deserve the good will and the oo-operdation of every Alaskan it is true It means that The Empire is no, interested and pleased whenever and wherever 1t finds those of other political parties serving the Nation and Alaska well u is not
 or the measures that came before the Legislature. The Empire took greater interest in the memorials asking for ~iau Territorial form of government than anything else because they designed to inform Congress- and Aaskas representative in Congress that
 the people Of Alaska desire more governmental author ,y These memorials were presented by Senator anl- lard and Representative Shoup bob Republicans Both memorials were supported it is true. by most of the Democrats in the Legislature but that had no other partisan significance than that the Democrats support ed democracy wherever they found it. Both also had Che support of Republican members.
 The Empire took great interest in the worlmans compensation act-and that also was presented in the House by Representative shoup The Empire supported the indian bills for which Representative Shoup was sponsor in the House and Senator Suzer in the Senate
 The Empire opposed the abolition of fish traps as Che remedy for regulating the fisheries question and Representative HecSman another Republican, was the chief opponent of that policy while the proposal for made, tto+ vafaran md very worthy Democrat. Senator Tanner. for whom The En- pire has great admiration.
 The fact is and Empire readers know h in spite Of anything that partisans might The Empire sup ported and opposed measures without regard persons or political parties involved It supported Senator su zer efforts to secure an uncheatabe election law and regulated primaries. not for any particular political party but for the purpose of giving the average voter chance. But those efforts were supported by Repuo licans as well as by Democrats but defeated by Wick ershamites
 If Democratic members gave more general support to democratic measures than other members it was due to the fac, that they were not only Democrats but democrats
 The Empire has no apology to offer for being in- tensely democratic in its convictions and 1t makes no apologies for supporting the Democratic administration in both che Nation and in Alaska because they are giv ing the people democratic administrations However it has nor hesated to oppose the position of Democrats when it has differed with them. and to say why It is
 matter for qualification chat it has not had occasion to differ with them on matters that involve the prnc pies of democracy It opposed the position of the Dem ocratic Governor of Alaska on two important matters of legislation that came before the Legislature though in neither instance tho principle of democracy in- volyed It is not strange that those who believe in the principles of democratic government do not differ with Gov. Strong in matters involving those principles Tor none is more thoroughly grounded in them than he That too is for qualification no, only for Democrats but for all the people of Alaska