The Alaska citizen., 1916-04-24
WICKERSHAM IN
 RE NOMINATION
 BY REPUBLICANS
DELEGATE TELLS WHERE HE sTANDS-WILL NOT LOSE
 HIS INDEPENDENCE.

On Friday evenings mail from the Outside The Citizen was in rc- celpt of communication from Dele gate from Alaska James Wicker sham, in regard to tLs publication of statement made by him to the Fot.a= r.hI.. n' tG. territory iu connection with lis probable nomi- nation for the Golrlateship by the Republican territorial convention new in session at Seward So that the people ot Alaska may not get the idea that | am giving mp any of my independence if am numi mated at the Republican convention at Seward" are the exact words Used in the letter 1t is therefore very evident that the accusa,to made that the delegate has agreed to let Louis P. Shackleford. of Ju- neau, Do his boss in the event that he is elected that is. 10 have con- trol of the patronage in the hands of the delegate by reason of lis po- atton In office is entirely false
 The statement issued by the doI.- gate to the general public is as follows:
 Washington, D. C. March 30. 1916 To the Dele-gtes to the Republican
 Territorial Convention Seward
 Alaska.
 "GnnfIemen:
 "The people of Alaska seem to have concluded that there ought to be an effective organization of the Republican as well as the Demo cratic 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 t0 present my name to your convention and because of many rumors tending to create mis- understanding and contention here- after I feel impelled 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
 "I have not and will not enter into any combination or agreement with or against any person or fac tion in or out of the Republican organization for the control of pat ronage, in whole or in part or at all or for the control of my ac- t1ons in any way whatever as tne representative of all the people of Alaska, or for any other purpose. 1 will not be bound by any pledge made for me without it is clearly stated in the platform or resolutions adopted by the Convention It seems to me there can be no sue co- fuI unity of action or reoraant- zation of the Republican party in Alaska without entire frankness with the men and women who do the voting and becaus" of thar I address this communication to you in this public manner I can bet ter dc without the nomination or the election to congress than be n'a cd in the attitude of having betrayed either my associates or thc people whom I have represented witt such freedom and confidence for eight years, and whom I mast continue to represent with freedom and confidence, or not at all.
 Tn the event of my election i pledge myself to harmony and faiI dealing toward friends and rasr op ponents alike, to the support of the bill which l have already intro duced granting more extended DOW CTS to the territorial government to
 uDuort of the Statehood bill, to the creation of better transporta- tion conditions and the control and reduction of burdensome freight rates. and generally to the upbpjd- ing of the industries natural to our territory and to the development of It's great natural resources free from monopoly and unjust restraint If you nominate me upon this under standing there will be but little chance for contention and disagree ment hereafter.
 Respectfully,
 JAMES WICKERSHAM
 Abe Levy formerly well known both here and at Ruby, was married