The Cordova daily times., 1919-01-09
tBy Charles A. DerryD

Now that the national house of rep rescntatiyes has finally disposed oi the Wickersham- SulZer election con test by seating James Wickersham as delegate from Alaska, it may not be amiSS at this time for Alaskans to consider the effect of this decision upon future legislation and policies of the territory.
 It may be said at the outset that the action of the house will be aC- ccptcd by all good citizens as the final word in this now locally famous case We may not follow the reason ing by which the decision was arrived at, but it must he acknowledged that the case has been settled by Consti- tutional methods, and there will be no hue and cry of thief and "rObber"
 no blaCkening of the characters of the men responsible for the determin- ing of the contest which at least is one thing to be thankful for. In the absence of knowledge as to what the report of the committee was on the main questions in dispute. it would be idle. also. to take issue with the findings of either the committee or the house.
 Leaving out the question of parti- sanship the decision is of great mo ment because of the questions that have been disposed of in this con test. and there are of interest at this time particularly because their dis cussion may be of benefit to the mem bers Of the incoming territorial legis- laturc in defining the status of that body to some extent as law.making institution
 Three main questions were at issue in this contest. as follows
 First The validity of the terri torial election law. which provided for what is known as the Australian bal lot"
 Second The right of Alaska na- tiycs to exercise the franchise; and
 Third The question of whether soldiers in the service of the United States government. located at points distant from the places of their en- listment can acquire a local residence and a vote.
 Apparently the effect of the deci- sion of the house of representatives i" 'N;t thr territorial election law is nuliiied; that Alaska natives are en- dowed with the franchise; and that United States soldiers can not vote. or at least that they can not acquire a legal residence at army posts for purposes of participating in local cleo tiOns.
 Territorial Election Law
 Prior to the passage by the terri torial legislature of the Australian bal lot law it was possible for a voter. un- der certain circumstances, to make known his preference at the polls in aInoat any manner that would make his intention clear to the election of ticials. Wickcrsham contended that th" Alaska legislature was not author iIcd to legislate on the subject of the election Tor delegate. because that matter was covered by the act of con gress creating the office of delegate for Alaska
 In its enabling act the territory is prohibited from legislating on a mum Der of subjects. including the liquor question. the primary disposal of the soil' and the fisheries. It will be sin Cerely regretted that these restric- uons have. been added to, and that among the many acts of the terri torial legislature that have been in validated is to be placed one of the most vital acts of that body. the one whose aim is to safeguard the purity of elections.
 Delegate WiCkersham often has ar gued that the agitation in favor of a full territorial form of government" was uncalled for, because Alaska has practically the same powers as were extended by congress to other terri torial governments. Yet apparently 1t has been necessary for him to contra diet his own reasoning by invoking an act which further restricts these linn. ited powers.
 It is needless to say that one eff feet of the outcome of the delegate. ship contest will be to arouse renewed