The Seward gateway., 1916-04-12
VILLA GETS TO MOUNTAINS WITH A SMALL FORCE
WICK MAKES AN
 ANNOUNCEMENT
WILL ACCEPT NOMINATION BUT WILL NOT ENTER COMBI-
 NATIONS.

In the Watson mail came letter from Delegate Wickersham to the Gateway asking it to publish a state ment attached and signed by himself in which he tells clearly how he stands with regard to the proposed nomina- tion of himself as the Republican candidate at the Seward convention. He declares that he will enter into no combination for the control of patron age and this is apparently meant as a declaration that he will not combine with Shacheford for such a purpose. Following is the signed statement which the Delegate asks the Gateway to publish:
 Washington, D. C., March 30, 1916. "To the Delegates to the Republican
 Territorial Convention, Seward, AL
 aska.
 Gentlemen:
 "The people of Alaska seem to have concluded that there ought to be an effective organization of the RepubH- can as well as the Democratic party in the Territory and many of my most active friends and supporters have joined in the movement and are among your number. In view of their announced intention to present my name to your convention and because of many rumors tending to create misunderstanding and contention hereafter feel impeled in fairness to my friends and to those who have long been my political opponents to make this public statement in advance of any action on your part.
 q have not and will not enter into any combination or agreement with or against any person or faction in or out of the Republican organization for the control of patronage, in whole or in part, or at all, or for the con- trol of my actions in any way what ever as the representative of all the people of Alaska, or for any other purpose. will not be bound by any pledge made for me without it is clearly stated in the platform or resO- lutions adopted by the Convention. It seems to me there can be no success full unity of action or reorganization of the Republican party in Alaska without entire frankness with the men ana women who do the voting, and because of that I address this communication to you in this public manner. can better do without the nomination or the election to Congress than be placed in the attitude of hay ing betrayed either my associates or the people whom I have represented with such freedom and confidence for eight years, and whom I must con- tinue to represent with freedom and confidence, or not at all.
 "In the event of my election, I pledge myself to harmony and fair dealing toward friends and past op- pOnents alike, to the support of the bill which 1 have already introduced granting more extended powers to the territorial government, to the sup port of the Statehood bill, to the creation of better transportation con ditiOns and the control and reduction of burdensome freight rates, and gen. orally to the upbuilding of the in- dustries natural to our Territory and to the development of its great natur- al resources free from monopoly and unjust restraint. If you nominate me upon this understanding there will be but little chance for contention and disagreement hereafter.
 Respectfully
 "JAMES WICKERSHAM." ArAc,tyA NAV HAVE