The Alaska daily empire., 1917-03-12

' laws be IUlrlN anu lNALIlAllA obHFl NtNs
 Laws of 1915 Scs5Ion
 The laws enacted by Che Second Leg islature have been fairly satisfactory, so far as their provisions have been applied The laws passed relating Co thc white schools In the Territory at inc session of 1915. did not become cf- fectlyc duo Co an opinion of the Sol- cltor for the Department of the ln- tcrlur that the control Of these schools. under the organic act. was vested m ! che Congress. | am pleased Co advise you. however that on March second. 1 Instant. Congress passed a bill cmpow- crIng thc Legislature of Alaska Co es- | tublish and maintain schools for white and colOrcd children and children or mixed blood, who lead civilized lie | In Che Territory, and Co make apprOp- riationa of Territorial funds for that purpose, and all laws In conflict with such act are, Co that extent, repeated | Tho passage of this law VIII, there | fore. in my Judgment, enable the leg | lsluture to enact school law suitable to the growing needs and requiremenlS | of the Territory as well as Co make ! Appropriations for the maintenance oI |tLt schools as may be found necessary. Schools a Cornerstone
 | need not point out Co you the nee cySity of good schools for the children who are growing up In the Territory and UDou whom will devoIvc it's govern | |mcnt in the years tl come. They must be educated in order Co be tuliy equipped | for thc battle of life and to develop the best citizenship; and, Furthermore. the state Co educate the children or the state.
 The passage cC a prohibItory law by | Congress Co become effective January II. 1918, in accordance with the terms of a referendum submitted Co the pcO- Iple at the general election of NOvcm- bcr 2, last will dcprivc the incorpor0t- | ed towns of the Territory Of an im- portaut gOurCc Uc revenue hitherto used l for school and municipal purposes, l ! believe it to be the duty of the Leg : iylaturc Co enact such legislation ns will enable gppTOprlnuonS To De hlauC from the Territorial treasury toward the maintenance of schools within in corporated towns. This legislation should be carefully thought out SO as to be as equitable as is possible IhG white schools outside ot incorporated towns may also need some aid from thc Territory and later in the session ] shall make this matter Che subject Oi another communication Co your honor able body should it be found ncccs-
 ' Election Laws insufficient
 Chapter 25 Session Laws ot Alaska. 1913. "An Act Co provide official bal lots for elections In the Territory oI Alaska" should either be amended In many important particulars or repeal p,55 cd. and a new law enacted in its stead. | am doubtful if the law. as it now stands. Is valid. and in any event a law better suited Co the needs and re- uuircmcnts Of u Territory such as Al- aska. Is an imperative necessity, in my opinion. I scarcely need point out Co you that the conditions obtaining m Alaska are much different from those existing in any of the states or terri tories, and a law governing elections should be at once sound and yet clas- lie enough Go suit the various and varying conditions of all sections or Che Territory. due regard being taNen for those conditions which surround and effect the rcmotpr precincts. The Ter ritOrial election law, as it now stands. is SO indefinite and uncertain tu im- pOrtaut particulars that complete re- vision along comprehensive lines or us repeal and the substitution Of new law, if carefully drawn, will not only aid the safeguarding Ot the ballot. but should remove those doubts and dili- culucs in the cauvasH of votes that will pcrpctually. arise unless aaeQu'lc relief ls given by the enactment of a law that is clear and specific In all
 The Prohlbitory Law
 At the election on November q, l9lb, th" people of Alaska. in an unmis tax able manner. endorsed the provisions of Chapter z, Session Laws Of Alaska, 1915. entitled "An Act Co provide for an expression by the people of the Ter, ritory of Alaska. as Co whether or not iquOr shall be manufactured or sold in the Territory after the first day Of January, l9lS.' and following this cN- precision, Congress promptly passed a prohibitOry law which will become el- provides that tho Territorial LCgisln- ture may make such further provisions for its enforcement as may be deemed cNpcdicnt and if. in the Judgment or the Legislature, this Will pe necessary action to this end would be advisable. The endorsement of a prohibtOry meas urc by the people was SO emphatic thnl their action cannot bc miscontrucd effect. should be strictly enforced.
 General Eight. Hour Law
 Chapter 5S, Session Laws Of Alaska l915 providing for an cNprcSsion' by the electors of the Territory of NlAska
 whether they arc in favor, or not in favor. of a general cight-hcur law for an wage and salary carncrs in the Territory of Alaska" was also endorsed by an overwhelming vote Of the pr"- pie, and it will be for the Legislature to give careful consideration to this important matter, and Co tDkc such nc- tiou as will carry out the expressed mandate of the people.
 Amendments To Laws
 Chapter 27. Session Laws or Alaska. 1915. entitled "An Act creating road districts In Alaska. and for other pur- poses" has caused difficulty in carry ing out some Of ltS provisions, ana consequently delay In payment of vouch- CTS for work done and in securing ncc- cssary repairs to roads. etc. Section of the net provides that all work per formed under it's provisions shall be by contract. and manitcgtly, tO enforce this section has been, at times, pr1c- tically impossible. as emergencies free uupDtlv mise where road repairs are Immediately needed and delay means tho impeding of travel and consequent loss Tho law should be SO amended as 10 permit the road commissioner to mako oral emergency contracts, With out notice or employ labor In such cas- es. under the immediate supervision or the road commissioner.
 It may also be found cXpcdicnt Co amend the laws relating Co the practice of medicine and surgery, and the laws relating to the practice of dentistry, rccommcndations to this effect having been made by these boards In their an nual reports
 by the First Legislature, contains a provision permitting the establishment of branch banks" and l have Co ad- vigc you that this provision. being vague and difficult of interpretation as to it's actual meaning and scope, should be repealed. Under existing conditions, the branch banking system is not sat igfactory. nor in my opinion, Is it nee essary. It would be much better for au concerned, if the go-called branch banks" were conducted under individ- ual charters This part of the Terri iy i'm the report of the Territorial Bank ing Board. which will be laid before Territorial Banking Board