The Alaska daily empire., 1916-08-09
WICKERsHAM's HERoICs

Delegate wickershom's telegraphic defy" of the Republican organization in Alaska Is as full of demo gogy. buncome and bluff as his open letter Of last Spring 70 the Republicans Of Alaska of oil, salve and sweets.
 The open letter to the Republicans Of Alaska was a clear cut bid for the Republican nomination. He plainly favored a union between Lewis p. Shackleford of whom he speaks with in his defy" and his former friends. and pledged himself work har- mOnOusE with former opponents and to treat them and his friends" alike.
 What has caused the changei Tho former Oppo- nents" with whom he willing to work in harmony the Seward convention are the same men whom he now scorns. They were known to be in control Of the situation when he was so anxious to secure harmony and when he willing md anxious to work with them. They have done nothing since March S0th that irregular in any way. The pri- mary elections Of which the former supporters of wickersham compaised so bitterly Lad been over for three weeks.
 Then what coused che change? Why tho sneers and the sccrn2 The Republican convention refused to nominate wickersham. That is their offense
 Former wickershamteS and some who were not always former Wickershamites. but who defeat ed the Republican primaries and this left out of the organization started campaign to kick over the combination. They wanted no combination that did not include them. They desired to he within reach of the pie counter in the of the election Of Hughes. They started flood oi telegrems to Wick ersham protesting against "a combination with Shack leiord." Wickershem thought he had toed the regu- lors along to the point where they had to nominate him anyhow. Then he entered into correspondence with former supporters in order tc hold their support He attempting to play both ends against the raiddie The Republican convention smeHcd rat. and refused nominate the Delegate. It nominated a can didate for AttoneyGenera perfected its organization for another twOyear period, selected nominating committee and adjourned And Delegate Wckersham's characterization of the selection nominating com mittee unauthorized" is pure 5uncome. The com mittee fully authorized and while is not usual procedure 1t is supported by many precedents in many parts Of the United States. Dozens Of men have been elected to high office as Republicans and Democrats who were selected for the nomination by nominating committees The present Governor of the State of Washington was selected by committee for the Democratic nomination after Supreme Court decision had disqualified the regular nominee. A Democratic convention in Alaska in 1910. unable to a satisfactory candidate selected nominating committee and aduorned
 The fact is that Delegate wickersham has been playing the game" for wickersham. He cares noth. ing for Alaska. He ceres nothing for the Republican party. He cares only for Wckersham. and is playing his cards ia that he believes will resnlt in victory for himself His sneers .nd his scorn and his heroics about the smallest right and power ot the people Of Alaska" and Unauthorized" committees hollow mockery.
 IT Delegate wickersham had any of that pretend. ed interest in the right and power of the people of Alaska" the people Of Alaska would now have the power" we'll the right to govern themselves. Delegate wickersham does not stand in the slightest for single right or power of the people of Alaska. His candidacy represents not a single prn. ciple. He stands for nothing in Alaska but personal politics. He hopes to win fifth term in Congress by flaming into flame personal animostes and ap- peaing to those whose only chance to get office is in him-and some Of those who are attaching their fortunes to the tail Of his kite admit that it very dubious chance. because. they frank to say. his only use for friends is to them for personal ends