The Alaska daily empire., 1921-03-10
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

It would be difficult to praise too Highly the message delivered to the Joint Session Of the lefrl toral Legislature by Coy. Riggs It is comprehensive covering the whole gamu Territorial activities and institutions revewing in understanding manner the record of work of the last two years and full o information to the bril. The recommendations are conservative and sound and, generally speaking, pro eressve and constructive The condition of the pub lie revenues and the problems of taxation dis cussed in businesske manner, and wise and timely suggestions with reference to them arc set forth. It is not the purpose of this article to review the message in full It printed in The Empire in full last night It should be read by all the citizens the Territory. It speaks very plainly for itself. The advocacy wider of self-govern- ment with local control of the fisheries, game and other matters, is worthy cf the commendation of all who make Alaska home. Directly in line witt that is the recommendation in favor of County government in Alaska. It is in the interest of control of the Territory by. the people of the Territory and of businesslike government. It is impossible for peoples living extensive Alaska properly govern themselves unless they have local organizations through which they may Imagine all the, Pacific Slope States, if you organized into combined County and Territorial State Governpent with combined State capital and countyf seat, and controlling body located San Francisco Salt Lake Of course it is absurd and the government Alaska as combined Terri tory and County with combination Territorial capi- tal and. County located Juneau an absurdy The recommendation for a continuation of the oseratiye road building. plan is wise, and in the interest of more and better roads.
 The recommendation that the Legislature prepare and pass and submit to Congress complete measure covering the fisheries and the game Alaska is prac teal and in the interest of the common good Others nave met and prepared such measures. We have had fisheries bills prepared by experts Bureau o Fisheries and in universities at conferences d, Seattle We have had New York societies of variour sorts working game laws for us Why should Tot the chosen representatives of the people sthhg Tn thelr representative capacity the Terri tcral capital, prepare bills covering these matter. With the welfare of their constituents solely in mind The Governors message is a very fitting addition to his exceptionally fine as the chief executive of this Territory The modest though confident per foha note ill the conclusion of the message was ap pfoprlate Among the most notable Gov. Riggs achlevements during his very energetic administra on have been the he has got for the Territor through his labors with the Departments an. Bureaus at Washington
 The. concluding remarks of the Governor will bear reading: again. He said
 1ft ftconcusions. and in reviewing my off
 cai career as Governor now drawing to
 close l can sincerely say that my every
 acton has been prompted by a desire for
 territorial welfare l may have made ms-
 takes-it is, not possible that have not
 put such mistakes were made hofestly and
 above board, and in spite of them I believe
 that my aetFotes during Aaskas most try
 ing perlod-I hope the trying period
 that ever will be experieneed-win leave
 balance on the credit side of the administra-
 uoh ledger. have been largely responsible
 Tor legislation and regulations which will
 open up forests and our oil fields, construct
 roads give practical aid to miners. Through
 the agitation of boards of which l am
 member for the first time the eyes of the
 uepaf aftments have been opened to our great
 Hequs Ill lhe matterfof transportation; to the
 Inadequate fisheries game laws In
 dolng these things l have created certain
 amount of irritation the part of rudely
 awakened bureaus and organizations but
 nave insisted that the voice of Alaska must
 De heard on matters affecting Alaska and in
 lhls nave been successful. l have enjoyed
 the honor such as has been mine for three
 years. and in the future such little weight
 as can throw into the scales will be in tho
 interest of Territorial development | shall
 not attempt to block progress for personal or
 partisan reasons, but l shall urge the econ
 omle, the broadly political and social wei
 fare Of Alaska, 10 the end that We may
 crate here in the Far North a unit of The
 United States which will reflect honor on
 the nation