The Alaska daily empire., 1918-09-23
SOME POLITICAL HISTORY.

The local Wick organ again prints letter from the editor of The Empire, written shortly after the passage of the Alaska Organic Act, congratulating Judge Wickersham upon the passage of the b and saying that he entitled to the gratitude of the people of Alaska for securing its passage
 All the circumstances concerning the campaign which called forth this letter have been forth many times, and those familiar with them know that Judge Wickersham broke faith with those who aided him in securing the passage of his Territorial government bill.
 After the Congressional election in 1910, which resulted in Democratic Congress, Judge Wicker sham asked the write rtos aid in getting the Demo- crats of Aaska-the men swhog characterized by him ring" poticians-to help him to get the support of the National Democrats for his Ter ritorial government bill. So anxious he to this help that he said he would be candidate for office again in Alaska if the Democrats of Alaska and Seattle would aid him to crown his work in Congress by securing the first step toward self government for Alaskans.
 Let it be said to the everlasting credit of these Wick-hated Alaska Democrats that they passed his offer to quit oice-seekng. They did not at tempt to trade They refused to dicker. They took up Judge Wickershams bill and considered it without aEy regard to the promises he set forth They sidered it, section by section, solely with reference to it's merits constructive The suit was decision that the bill was impossible They found that it a self-government
 
 the bill that finally passed Among other things the bill, it then, provided that passed by the Territorial Legislature should be effective at all until Congress had considered it and afirmatively ratified it.
 However, the Democrats of Alaska who were working for results and willing let the credit go where it may, did not begin campaign against the bill. Instead they urged Judge Wickersham to change it and make it they could ask Democrats in Congress to support it. They wanted it to be at least reasonable first step" toward self-giv ernment. Judge Jennings Judge Wickersham long and diplomatic letter. setting forth objections to his measure, and showing how it would have to be amended before Alaska Democrats could ask the Democrats in Congress to pass it.
 This campaign took months. and Judge Wicker sham did not yield at all gracefully The writer delegated for that purpose the Rainier Grand hotel in Seattle, told Judge Wckegsham that his measure would have to be changed or, in his opinion, the Dtmocrats would not support it. Wickersham very impatient, but finally rising irtably he said Well I'll humilitate myself, I'll humble myself to Roth and the others. I'll change the bill, because have to have Democratic support
 At this conversation Wickersham again said if the Democrats of Alaska Seattle would only help him to pass the bill, he would not be candidate for office again. The writer replied that he knew the Democrats would support his bill, if the suggested changes made, on its merits
 Judge Wckersham changed his bill in many par ticulars, but by extensively he was asked change it. He eliminated the provision that laws passed by the Legislature would not be eff fectve until approved by the affirmative action of Congress His explanation for making all of the changes was that he wanted bill that would go through. He represented President Taft and the Republicans in Congress absolutely opposed passage of any sort of home rule This bill is offered only first step toward self-govern- ment." he urged repeatedly. Finally. after many