The Alaska daily empire., 1916-04-08

The first serious suggestion of self government for Alaska. as far as we have been able to discover, was in the first annual report of Gov. Swine ford in 1885. who urged that a Terri- torial form Of government be estab- lished here. The suggestion was re- newed in Gov Swineiord's subsequent reports.
 In the early '9Os. the people of Alaska again declared for Territorial government. and had a voluntary cleo tion of Delegate to Congress. choos. ing Capt. James Carroll. long with the Pacific Coast Steamship Com pany. Capt. Carroll went to Wash ington but was denied seat in Congress. He urged self-govern- ment for Alaska, and when 1t was suggested that the Territory already was only a source of expense to the United States. he offered to pay 2O.000.OO0 for the Territory to the Federal government stating that this would repay the government for all the costs that Alaska had caused. He promised to give the people of Alaska a Republican form of govern ment if the proposed purchase should be consummated.
 cudael Taken Up
 In the fall of 1899 the Skagway Alaskan. under the same editorial management as that which now con trols The Empire. took up the cud- gels in behalf of Territorial govern ment for Alaska. It was tte pioneer among Alaskan papers in the battle. In october of that year convention convened at Juneau to formulate laws for Alaska that it was desired that Congress should adopt The convention was in session for nine days. Among other statutes pre- pared by 1t was the municipal incor- porauo7 act which Congress adopt ed early in the next year. Col. Sol Ripinsly of Haines introduced a resolution in that convention declar ing for Territorial form of govern ment for Alaska. 1t was supported by Gov. Swineford. (who had but recently returned to Alaska), chair man of the convention, Judge A. K. Delaney Of Juneau Judge Robert W. Jennings. then Of skagway, the late Gen. Charles W. Turner. of Skagway, and others but was defeated. This convention selected John G. Price of Skagway as Delegate to Congress- and he went back to Washington to urge Congressional ratification of the recommendations of the Juneau con- yention. and in most instances he was successful
 swlneford Enters Contest
 Gov. Swinsford about that time es- tablished the Ketchikan Journal, and at once entered the contest In be- hAf Of self-government. Shortly af- terward Major J. F. A. Strong, Mow Governor Strong), established the Nugget at Nome. and he, too, be- came an advocate of Territorial gov ernment.
 Soon tho whole Territory was lin- Ing I'D on the question In 1900 both the Republican and Democratic conventions at Juneau contained blanks in their platforms favorable to Territorial government.
 In 1903 a Non-Partisan Territorial convention. called by the various commercial bodies. convened at Ju- neau and declared for Territorial government for Alaska Judge De- fancy was chairman of the conven- tion and Robert W. Jennings was one of the influential members. In the summer of that year the Transmits sissippi Congress convened at Seat tie and a resolution. prepared by the present editor of the Empire. who was there as Q delegate from Skag- way, was presented by the Alaska delegation, and adopted, Gov Brady alone among the Alaska delegates voting against 1t. Among those who were delegates in that convention was Gov. Strong, then editor of the Nugget of Nome.
 In 1904 both political parties con- 'tained Territorial government blanks in their platform.
 1905 Convention
 In 1905 a Non-Partisan convention was held at the Butler Hotel In