Iditarod pioneer., 1915-08-28
ALASKA LEGISLATOR
 WANTS TO DIVIDE TERRITORY

The VerstOvian, the publication issued by the Sheldon Jackson school at Sltka has published a speech delivered by Repre- sentative Arthur G. Shoup of the First dlvl sion, in which he advocates the separation of Southeastern Alaska from the remainder of the territory, and favors the full terri torial form of government" for the new territory thus formed Mir. Shoup said in part
 We have local problems here in Alaska in which is vtally involved the future of this great virgin empire; problems which very soon will demand the attention and deci sion of every citizen of Southeastern Alaska
 Notwithstanding everything that has been said to dispute 1t, the limitations against self government in Alaska are more numerous than have ever been found in the organic act of any other American territory.
 Southeastern Alaska is composed of some fifty thousand square miles of wonderfully favored country To the stranger who en- ters this scenic wonder of the world for the first time the beauties of nature unfold in a panorama of unrivaled splendor. Fascina- ton for the country grows upon people who live here
 ''When enc pauses to consider the mar vicious bounties which nature has heaped upon this region he naturally feels that he is especially favored by the privilege of living here He sees no poverty in mass; he sees TO congestion and greedy strlfe-but every where a rich land, occupied by a high minded, big hearted and democratic people j; g land supplied with natural arteries of com merce such as can be found nowhere else on ob al sources are so abundant that no mind can fully realize their magnitude. He under stands vaguely that our present mineral in dustries, which challenge the attention of the world, are but an incomplete index to those which are yet uncovered. In fancy he secs our untouched water powers converting the great forests into paper and lumber and other products, working the many vegetable and mineral resources of the sea into the useful commodities which science tells us they are subject to. and reducing to state of usefulness our iron and copper and other riches of the earth. The resident of this country knows that if the many varieties of splendid fishes in these waters have proper protection they will furnish great measures Cf food to many generations yet unborn. He knows that this country is vast renoSl- tcrv and storehouse of untold wealth, waiting to pour forth its treasures to free and independent peorlo.
 'What IS the situation in this division today? The interests of sll of Southeastern Alaska gre identical and we are perma- nentlv settled An astonishinqlv large per centace of the taxable nr0nertv of the terri tory is found within it's borders ADnroxi- ratelv 50 ner cent of all public funds col lpcted in A1aska during the year 1914 came from this division.
 "It is almost entirely foreign to the rest of Alaska in climate, resources and needs. It is isolated by vast natural barriers It has none of the characteristics which are usually associated with Alaska. It and its reorIe are regarded by the other parts of Alaska with jealousy and suspicion. Ii is precluded by its very virtues from any hope of ever obtaining direct representation in conoress so long as present conditions exist
 "Ladies and gentlemen, if Southeastern Alaska is granted the separate autonomy to which it is rightfully entitled we will be able to raintain an American territory with all the rights and privileges to which we neonIe of this nation are accustomed We will be able to do this chearer than we can nav our pro rata of operating the present unwieldv territory, under an imperfect and unsatisfactory law We will be able to de veop a sovereignty that will soon be wei comed to the American sisterhood ot states.