The Alaska daily empire., 1918-04-20
SOME OBSERVATIONS ON STRONG EXPOSURE.

JUNEAU, Apfi lS.-lO the Eu- itor: Much discussion has result ed over the exposure of our late Governors career especially that feature of it, in which incorporating as an American citizen and son Of the Bluegrass State, he duped the people of Alaska and secured high honors and emoluments at the eX- pense of the Democratic party not of any material help to the erst- while Governor in his first campaign to secure the office, but who have since profited by his appointment, ire deeply shocked and grieved at the exposure. They contend that he has been a good Governor, and the mere fact that he is not a cit izen is not a good reason for his retirement, and further, that after forcing his retirement it was a shameful act to give the reason why it was necessary, to force a retire. ment.
 The unbiased mind, it seems to ne, would ask: First, is the fact that he is not citizen, sufficient reason for his retirement, and if 50, was it not sufficient reason why he position shottlt! not have been sought. Second, if Strong knew he was practicing a fraud upon the people of the Territory when he sought and obtained the place, would he not know the. penalty of exposure of that fraud would have to be paid some time, unless he could continue the cheat? He is a man arrived at the years of discre ton, is not uneducated, is of sound memory, and possesses some sort of l will of his own. Is it not reasOn- lble to suppose that he counted the cost and decided that the game was worth his while? So much for Strong.
 How about the people of Alaska? :? Those who were in Juneau at the lime will bear witness that no man ever receiver more wholehearted md sincere welcome in any com munity than was given J. F. A. Strong when he arrived to take the oath of office as Alaskas chief ex- ecutive. The demonstration on that day was but an expression of the entire Territory. The people be- lieved that they were paying de- served homage to worthy citi- zen. Leaders of the Democratic party believed that they had been instrumental in securing for the people of Alaska the services of an honorable citizen and progress sive leader. Other good and honor able citizens stepped aside that Strong might have his opportunity to make good, for himself, for the Democratic party and for the peo- pie of Alaska. Did he do it? As to himself, he is probably in the bet ter position to judge. As to the Democratic party, even his kindest apologists must answer in the neg ative. As to the people of the Ter ritory generally. they are forming their answer now.
 Having failed to measure up to the requirements of his party, why should he not be retired by that party? And having defied the party that made it possible for him to ob- tain power and prestige and having imputed unworthy motives to those who opposed his reappointment, pos ing before the people as the victim of unjust persecution, fighting to the last ditch every effort to dis lodge him and to destroy the organ ization that is bending it's every effort for the welfare of the people, why, reasonable mind will ask, was it not right for the party to justify itself before the people of Alaska, to expose the fraud that had been perpetrated upon itself and upon the people of the Terri tory?
 These are the days that citizen ship stand for much, if for any thing at all, then why should it be considered a trifling thing for men in high places to toy with it, make it the gamblers implement of the hour? Evidently those who decry the exposure of fraud in citizenship do not place high value on it,, especially on good citizenship.
 Some who have accepted posi-