The Wrangell sentinel., 1923-03-08
GOVERNOR DELIVERS HIS
 MESSAGE TO LEGISLATURE
Forest J. Hunt Is President of the Sen
 ate and Cash Cole Speaker of The House


 the spirit of Alaska at it's very best. Well may that fine chapter be recall ed with pride'
 Slowly the world is regaining it's bearings. Quickest in recovery, the American Republic today is the strongest exponent of stable democ- racy and assured civilization. Its banner shines resplendently, and Alaska-soberly and patiently work ing out it's destiny-in due season will surely add a bright star to that banner.
 The Territory has met and over come obstacles incident to readjust- ment following the war with less difficulty than other sections of the national domain. It has been singu- larly blessed by Providence and Ma ture and has passed through the or deal strongly equipped for better years to come.
 Numerically the Territory has witnessed a decline since the first Legislature here assembled. The population is less today than then. Untoward, unforeseen events-pri- marily the European cataclysm' - explain the decrease in numbers. But Alaska has a more permanent citi- zenry than ten years ago. It has be- come country of homes. The Ter ritory, in spite of adverse conditions, has not stood still.
 Although many of the hopes and dreams of the first lawmakers are unrealized. the laws they enacted put into operation the imited form of To- cal government sanctioned by Con gress and it has functioned smoothly and efficiently. In framing the terri torial structurethe initial legislature builded we'll and it's successors have uniformly been guided by foresight and wisdom in completing and se- curing the structure. In the prudent handling of its affairs, the Territory has thus emphasized it's just appeals for an extension of its functions of self government.
 Foremost of Alaska's achieve ments since becoming a Territory is the establishment upon a firm foun- dation of a public school system, which inspires pride of citizenship and must ever command a fostering care. Year by year the enrolment has increased The progressive stand ards of Alaska schools are recogniZ growth has been met. No land can be developed without schools and no other domain in its early days ever made more distinct or signal prog ress in this respect than has Alaska. To the educational advantages of- fered by the Territory is clearly to be ascribed the multiplying number of homes and permanent residents. That the school system will be wise ly safeguarded and promoted hence forth is confidently assumed.
 Alaska officially is not over-organ- ized. The simplicity and inexpensive ness of it's local government are in striking contrast with the compli- cated bureaucratic system of federal control. Of necessity compelled to keep within its revenues, the Terri tory is not burdened with excessive overhead costs, but conducts it's af- fairs at minimum of expense, with scrupulous regard for the outlay of public monies. Prudence is still re- quired. Conditions do not yet war rant administrative expansion.
 A trend toward over-organization Fderal, State. and city, throughout the Union, has made for heavy pub lie indebtedness and high taxation, with the accompanying ills of ineffi cient government. and Alaska may further profit by this mistaken pol; cy by continuing studioue.y to avoid it. Not until the populaH fon is su) stantially incIeasel and revenues largely augmented will more elabo- rate official machinery be justified. A multiplicity of laws tends to re- tard rather than advance progress and development. Simplicity of leg islation and simplicity of adminis- tration are equally important and mutually conducive to good govern ment.
 l Continued on Next Page