The weekly Alaska citizen., 1918-09-30

" VxH II kxAl xDxAvO HAS BEEN MADE
 Through the mail yesterday there was received the following contribu- tion, which. in view of past events. is herewith published. caption and all:
 WHY WE ARE FOR HIM MT. Wickersham's able and elo- quent lecture at the Auditorium has earned for him our ardent support. We are for him!
 Why?
 Because he invented Alaska.
 Every man possessing grain of common sense or decency. after hear ing him lecture, must acknowledge the righteousness of his claim.
 Only the jealousy and envy of Democratic federal officials, their crass stupidity and partisanship, has prevented him from obtaining a pat ent to the whole territory from Bar row to Ketchikan. Of this we have been convinced by the facts ad- duced by him in his lecture. Only a very small part of what is due him for his unselfish devotion to the interests" of Alaska has reached his pockets (via federal treasury.
 sacrifice in withdrawing from the practice of law in Tacoma to ad minister justice in Alaska. that he should have had only Is years sal ary out of the U. s. treasury?
 Think of it, Only Is years sometimes drawing down less than $4.O0O a year--sometimes $500. with but small opportunities for quids pro quo and perks"
 By every rule of gratitude and right he ought to have patent to Alaska.
 He also should have conferred upon him title of Nobility.
 Such Heroism Such Devotion. Such Selflessness.
 Great Gods. Alaskans. how can you be so obdurate? Cant you see what he has done for you? Let us then be up and Doing. un. less we would be done. Let us secure for him a patent-a patent of Nobility-a patent as Lord of St. Michael-Duke de Nome and Koyukuk. Count of Chichagoff. Pribi. loff and the further Seal Islands. Are these honors not his due? Who shall say him. Nay? In order to test the patriotism of our readers we append a petition to the Commissioner of Patents asking for our fellow patriot the honors due him and his plain and legal (we had almost written "regal') rights. We ask all Fairbanksans to sign sign at once and return to this of. flee copies of this petition. Petition for Patent
 To the Honorable. the U. s. Com. missioner of Patents: NOW come your petitioners, many and various. humbly but honorably representing and petitioning. seeking justice, to-wit:
 WHEREAS, One, James Wicker sham, humble servitor of the people, did, on or about December, 1899, in. vent, devise, discover and disclose certain new and useful region. where of since and thereafter the name and fame thereof has become univer. sal and widespread: to-wit: ALASKA.
 NOW, THEREFORE. We. the afore- said undersigned. your petitioners, do humbly but fervently beseech, pray. petition, exhort and beg that, under the powers conferred upon you by the Constitution and Bylaws, you do now
 CONVEY, by Letters Patent to. upon and in the said James Wicker. sham, his heirs, assigns. devisees, ct al, ct cet, ad lib, all our Right. Title and Interest in and to
 ALASKA, including tundra, nigger- head, placer. swamp. quartz. farm and fireside, cabin, bungalow. tent and OVERWHELMING ELSE.
 TO HAVE AND TO HOLD (like grim death) until death do us part. forever and Aye-AMEN.
 P. s. (meaning please subscribe) And while you are about it why not confer upon him these titles:
 JAMES I; Baron Barrenoff. Duke of Iditarod. Prince of Pribiloff, Count of Ketchikan. Emperor of Eagle, Sul. tan of Susitna. Gazabo O! Gibbon, Ikoond of Kuskokwim and FIBBER. TIE OF FAIRBANKS.