The Cordova daily times., 1918-10-15


 assured Delegate Charles A. Sulzer
 that the law passed by congress a
 year ago. eXempting holders of min
 ing claims from the performance of
 annual assessment work during the
 years 1917 and 1918. really does apply
 to Alaska, a fact which had not been
 seeking for a pretcXt to put his OppO-
 nent for the office of delegate in q
 bad light. asserted braZenly that as a
 lawyer he advised the holders of min
 ing claims in Alaska to do their an
 nual assessment work as usual, as
 the act did not apply to Alaska.
 During the year the law has been in
 effect there has been no question that
 the act applied to Alaska as well as
 in this belief the miners and pros pCCtOrS of the territory have done no
 such assessment work to hold them.
 merely filing their affidavts as pro
 vided by law. At this eleventh hour,
 when there ia no possibility of rem cGying the alleged defect of failing to do assessment work in 1917. and when the doing of such work in the short time remaining of 1918 would have worked untold hardship upon the hardy prospcctOrs and miners of the
 territory, Wickcrsham suddenly an ncunced that the law did not apply to Alaska,
 The former delegate. who claims h. wiIls be awarded salary and pcrquis- ties for the past two years as though he had been in fact acting as dele gate, sat silently by during a whole year and allowed (as he aays) the people of the territory to whom he claims 10 be "a friend" to be dcludcd into the bclief that the law protected their interests. And then, on the eve of the election he suddenly announces that the law does not apply to Alaska and advises them as q lawyer" to do their annual assessment work as though the act had never been passed
 What must the people think of such duplicity on the part of their friend" . Do they wish to be again misrepre- scented in the halls of congress by a man who would be guilty of such an act, merely to gain political adyan- taGe?
 One of the points being made by Nickersham in his political speeches is to the effect that Delegate Charles A. Sulzer is neglecting his duties at Washington in order to spend his time in Alaska seeking reelection. And he asks his auditors, Did you ever hear of me descrting my post during session of congress in order to make campaign speeches?"
 It is quite probable that during the eight years WiCkersham served as delegate for Alaska congress was never in session during the whole of a political campaign. Congress usu- ally adjourns early in the spring in the even-numbered years during which elections are held. and does not again rcconvene until De cember, which gives the members an opportunity to look after their politi- cal interests with a view to re-elec. ton if they so desire.
 No one doubts. in spite of the sheer | ing words of MT Wickersham that had the occasion ever required his | presence in Alaska for the purpose of repairing his political fences. he would have been on the spot session or no session. But Wickersham has always looked upon the delegateshi3 IS hlS personal prerogatiyc. and has been cohtemptuous of opposition. So much so, in fact, that two years ago l" mad" but pcrfunctOry canvass. thd could not be induced to suffer the iiscomforts of a trip to the Intnrior n th" interest of his candidacy. so sure was he that he would be re. 'lected. But does anyone doubt for 'ne moment that Wickersham would nave been at all backward in this natter had he been in Sulzer's place?
 The fact of the matter is that Dele. ate Sulzer, stayed at his post in Washington until all matters affect ng Alaska that would be dealt with t this session had been disposed of nd not until it was found that his presence was no longer needed did e leave Washington. He found as ho country knows we'll. that the re- lainder of the session would be de. oted entirely to war matters. and as e has no vote, he would have been ut silent and inactive spectator. s il was, in view of the limited teamship service, he was able to iSit only the coast section of his