Seward daily gateway. [volume] (Seward, Alaska) 1923-1933, 1927-02-23
IMPERIALISM IN ALASKA

IMPERIALISM IN ALASKA
Shall political expediency Or shall the fundamental law
based upon fair construction of the Constitution Of the
United States govern the future development OF Federal
agencies in the Territory Of Alaska?
It is reported certain intelligent and patriotic resi-
dents of the Territory upon plan seeking economy in
the operation of various activities Of three executive de-
partnents, less interockng, propose radical
departures affecting inherent rights privileges and i'm
mnities contained in the bill Of rights of the Constitution
A trial of misdemeanors such as violations Of the
Volsead act game law regulations not by jury but by
sort of summary court such court to be composed OF one
or law enforcement officers such officers to act as
constabes police officers, justices of the peace game
wardens fish wardens prohibition agents. detectives or|
investigators Of crime and sort of combined jury and
Judge (including ba and clerk of cour and by court
thus constituted pass upon the guilt innocence Of
PENDANT brought before the bar of such tribunal
Is the arrest and subsequent prosecution OF person
Of such political expedency in the way Of saving the ex
penditure of money of the Federal government Alaska
so pressing to mitigate and excuse otherwise
stealthy encroachment of constitutional rights supposed
y existing Alaska since the Supreme court of the Unit
ed States in the Rasmussen case OF many years ago. un
equvocaly held far Alaska is concerned the Con-
stitution follows the flag"
Undoubtedly the burden upon Congress in respect of
legislation concerning the territories dependencies and
insuar possessions is extremely one; Con-
gress has been actuated by motives of the highest patriot
ism and we feel legislation will be adopted which will
again reopen the vextous question which resulted from
territorial cesons by the Treaty OF Paris at the close OF
the Spanish American
In case of recent years, Mr. Chief Justice Taft stat
ed the case, view it from Alaskan standpoint:
The jury system needs citizens trained to the RESPONSE
bity of jurors. In common-aw countries centuries Of
tradition have prepared conception Of the impartial at
titude jurors must The jury system postulates
conscious duty of participation in the machinery Of
justice which is hard for people not brought up fund
amentaly popular government at once to acquire. One
of it's greatest benefits the security it gives the peo
pie that they jurors actual possible being part of
the judiciary system of the country prevent it's ab
trary abuse"
We submit race of people fundamentally grounded
in the basic principles of American liberty by BIRTH by
tradition and by training loyal to the United States
proven by act and deed should not be subject to expert
mental legislation based upon theories Of political
pedency The people Of Alaska may properly resent and
condemn such steahy Entertainments upon constitutional
rights inherently theirs by right of BIRTH by tradition by
service and environment
Men, acknowledged leaders Of their respective coun-
tries not long ago. convened in London there to deter
mine the respective relations Of such countries with them
selves and with the British crown. plan said to be
largely worked out by General Smus Of Boer war and
British government This plan gave to Canada, New
Zealand Australia and other Domnions over the sea-
complete right Of sefgovernment, the right to selfre
spect and solemn and lasting perpetuaon Of the princ
Piles Of right and Of liberty which have been the heritage
Of the Anglo-Saxo race.
Is there no man in national public life who will
give consideration to these problems and seek to extend
to Alaska and to it's citizens this same heritage of liberty?
Who remembers when the fellow who made only
about $4,000 year was good for success" story?