The Alaska daily empire., 1915-04-27

-' t' ~ ' t '. s t't - t' ~
 fhe Governors messose Is an iu
 tercsting one IL outlines some yer,
 necessary labor legislation. but labor
 legislation seems somehow lo to get
 us very iiltle "forater The need
 for much more than Is mentioned in : Che excellent messase is teil by iJ..
 boc but doubtless we will have to
 watt upon better opportunity
 tn many respects one would have iittc difficulty in reconcilns the message with the blanks inserted In many of the platforms upon which Che Soions stood. but we have ail learned that between Che plank and the reali. zatiou of che plank there is mighty difference. often the false set is not improved any by the detective tim. berine that takes its place in actual , legislation but we can always lNo in hope that five die fasting
 The Governor struck an important note when he commented upor the de. ficiencies iu legislative enablement which IS Che most striking character- lsJic of Che Alaska Territorial govern men laws but call it what one will it is Home eule and Alaska has SO meeNy stood and waited for many things chat even the small measure of self government which Che country obtained looked biz enough.
 n There is nothing like caution in the minds of most of the Solous and the great fear now and then seems to be that too large a measure of political liberty be extended Co peoples sirrg. sling for the same
 lt is very peculiar phase of admin. istratiou that the inclination to go slow extending the principles Of politi- cal liberty to states and territories is sun rampant on the American cou- tiuent and although we like to hear Of lhe land ol the free and the home of the brave those in control take good care that the free people do not surieit with an extension of the prin- ciples of popular goverument Why this is admits Of but one explanation and deiies all others.
 In the country today there are great and various interests. lt is fair to think that having great and varied economic interests they have now great and varied political interests al- so. not the least of which is to pro tect themselves against the interests oi lhe people which might here or there affect them They in olher word have Co become creatures of privilege. because without privilege ! their position in Che world of industry would be no longer tolerable or possi- { b'e Naturally on the other hand the people want Co abolish these pririleg es. and between the people and priyi- iege there Is a constant struggle which takes on many varying casts Of thought bui under one form or anoth. ar is always iu evidence.
 To bring closer to the people es sentiully the powers Of government would therefore undermine in a dam gerous manner the power oi privilege and hence we observe the effort con stantiy made by conservative states- men as they call themselves. bnt poli- .icians Of privilege as they really are. not only 10 resent but to resist not oniy io resist but Go destroy all cl- !. forts Go extend popular government ! 10 .he hands directly of the people
 How enormously this was in evi- ' lence in the framing of the Alaska legislative enabling aci one has but 70 read Co be convinced. This or that ' ias been by the law protected as sac 'ed ground upon which inferior poll ical mortals Of ihe Alaska legisla- ure may not tread. Notably the rail- pads. the various taxation limitations transportation and other industries re protected to an astonishing de.