The Alaska daily empire., 1918-10-16
THE EMPIRES INTEREST IN THE CAMPAIGN.

The Empire has absolutely no interest in the pres ent campaign that is equally the interest of the citizen of Alaska who has office and wants It has desire to medde in politics at all Election results possess chance for profit of any sort to The Empire except as they effect the gen eral welfare. The Empires business is gathering the news, assembling printable matter of interest educational entertaining value, and selling them to it's readers, selling space for legitimate advertising and printing. These it's sole sources of income It depends for it's support upon the general public, those of all shades of political opn- ion and all phases of Alaskan activity.
 Custom has decreed and public policy dictated that newspapers should participate in the discussion of public matters and work for the public interest This phase of newspapers work should not ba a of profit With the Empire it is not. Rather it frequently works the other for newspapers s those who in other lines of endeavor suffer when they take sides questions that mat ters of controversy where there is difference of opinion.
 While the editor and publisher of The Empire is by inheritance and conviction a Democrat member the file of the political party founded by Jefferson, and unqualified supporter of the prn- ciples and policies of President Wilson, he and The Empire absolutely independent of political organi zaons in positions with reference Alaska. The Empire supports those things which it believes to be for public good and those candidates for office whose election it believes would for Alaska and Alaskans It believes that all political and civic organizations should be representative progressive and
 
 of getting results work for the upbuilding of the country and the beterment of conditions. It has urged that both the Democratic and Republican po- litical organizations in Alaska should be active and should work for the advancement of this Territory As far the personnel of public service is concerned 1t does ota whether those in it Demo- crats or Republicans or Presbyterians Catholics of fair dark complexion long as they are pa triotic, clean and capable servants
 The Empire has urged, however, that it is par ticularly the duty of the Democratic party Alaska to be on guard and thoroughly representative of the best there is in Alaska because the Democratic party is in control of the Nation and, for that that organization in Alaska has peculiar opportunities for public service.
 The Empire believes the Democratic party of the Territory has risen its opportunities. It stands for selfgovernment and the widest possible parci- patton in that government. Participation in it's cils has been wider than in any political party Alaska has ever had. It made a grevous mistake in the lection of Governor, and it corrected it. And the differences among its members were submitted to a direct primary election under the law. More than 1000 voting women and men in all the precincts of Alaska took part in that Democratic primary and by overwhelming majorites they selected their candi- dates There nothing savoring of ring rule or hand picking in this procedure It democratic through and drought was government by the masses, control by the rank and file
 The Empire believes the Democratic party Alaska deserves success at the coming election. By exhibiting us commence Tn the people, by advocating Tn the open the peoples causes by its democratic and thor oughly American course it has earned the right to the peoples confidence.
 And, saying this, The Empire will say, further, and with equal good faith and frankness, that it hopes, and it believes the hope will be fulfilled that the Republican party of Alaska may render good ce to the people. It will do that if it will unload tself of the incubus of Wickersham and Wicker hamism. Judge wickersham stands for no princi-