The Nome nugget., 1928-10-06

with. But I submit to you if I am not right about what say.
 Up to 1924 and 1925 the Native [ Indians of Alaska had a right to vote as fast as they became civliz- ed and abandoned their tribal GUS toms and relations and they were not held in very strict account. In all the contests we had over Dele gate to Congress there has never 1 been d single native vote thrown out on the ground of illiteracy failure to abandon tribal relations. etc. That was the law when Sulzer ran against Wickersham the first time and they had contest about it and Wickersham tried to throw out all the votoes taken in from the natives, both on the ground that they had failed to abandon their tribal relations, and still lived in Indian reservations. In 1918 when Sulzer again ran against Wicker sham, Wickersham again tried to throw out the votes and failed to do so. because that was the same law that applied all over the United States. That was the law The Am erican Indian became entitled to q vote. by leaving the reservation and abandoning his tribal relations. He did not take out any papers. When Dan was down in Congress the re- mainder of the Indians throughout the country who had not been en- franchised was small There were not many of them because there was an omnibus bill introduced en- franchising all the Indians of the United States without regard to il- literacy or any other condition They do not except Alaska.
 That is what your delegate, T friend of William Paul's denies, and who controls what Indian votes there are. And he is willing that We be put on an equal basis with the tribes of Southeastern Alaska when he knows that when they vote they will vote for William Paul. All Dan had to do when the bill was introduced was to get up and say: Gentlemen. That may be all right for the rest of the United States. but it will not do for Alaska. The Indians of Alaska number 25,000. There are as many of them as there are white people, and most of them are uncivilized and it will net do to give them the right of suffrage equal to the rights of white people," That bill would have excepted Alaska at once. The civilized Indians and Eskimos al ready had the right to vote.
 Congress since then. having done [ he harm without being warned has attempted to cure it by Hitter acy tests. but the illiteracy law says that all Indians are subject to it.. i And William Paul sits there. I claim that Dams conduct in that in stance is reprehensible. In time this flock of Indians down in South eastern Alaska will start up pro- position to form parties, the same as the rest of you do. We will get over this sometime. Within a life time. I hope. They are intelligent. A good many of them are entitled to vote. but it presents grave problem at the present time.
 All the citizens of Alaska know what the natives are around here. Everyone of them is enfranchised by the terms of this bill. Now, what would you think of me or any other delegate that would sit there and let that outrage be put upon the Territory. l should not attempt to do it, but Dan can do it and you will vote for him because you work ed out on the creeks with him, or fished with him. He has fished with as many people as he worked with on the creeks.
 Ladies and Gentlemen, I have talked lot longer than I intended l talked longer because I had not had the opportunity to talk much with you. In the Nome speech of Dan Sutherland he compared my record with his in Congress. I have not been here since left