The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-04-16
THE FIRST STEP TOWARD GREATER
 HOME RULE.

Tn the repeal of Prohibition in Alaska, accom- pished last Friday when President Roosevelt signed the Dmond wping out the National Pro- hibition Act and the Alaska Bone Dry Law, great achievement was signalized Repeal in itself is notable accomplishment. More notable, however, IS the provision contained in the measure that em- powers Alaska through it's Legislature to control the liquor traffic in it's borders. For them both we have to thank primarily Delegate Dimond and in addition of course the Democratic Congress and the Democratic President who upheld the tradi- tions of their party in passing and approving the law.
 As Gov Troy remarked when informed the measure had become law through executive approval Tt is a remarkable coincidence that this new measure of home rule is given us on the birthday anniversary of Thomas Jefferson" It was Jefferson founder of the Democratic Party who lald the foundation for a government of the United States truly republican in form He had confidence Tn his fellow man and his ability to govern himself that few of his class entertained in the beginnings of the republic And the principles he expounded and exemplified came to be adopted as the corner stone of the Union of the States He wrote them into the Ordinance of 1787, which he reported TOT the committee to Congress; statute that served as the basis for the colonial policy of the United
 States from the formation of the first Territory until Alaska was created Territory and abandoned TOT the first time in the passage ol our o"h OlsoiO Act While theoretically, under it, the power oi Congress was absolute it was to be exertea III encouraging the development of thorough self-goV- ernment and granting it as fast as the settlers should become capable of exercising it. Copied Tn succeeding acts for the organization of Territories and controlling the spirit of all such statutes uhtu our own was passed, the Ordinance of l787 IS the foundation of almost everything that makes the modern American system distinctive
 It is but natural therefore, that the present Congress should enact a law giving Alaskans the absolute power to pass and enforce laws to ao- minister the louor traffic a right that every other Territory always had but which denied to us at the beginning It is as natural for us to want those other measures of home rule, also deneo us that other Territories had, power to administer local resources particularly fisheries game ana iu to form counties or other local governmental unS' to organize our Legislature according to popuatloh which is nothing less than the rlght to have representative government Many oi these things are now asked of the present Administration in measures introduced by Delegate Dlmond ohe of them the home rule fisheries bill IS the supect of debate in the lower House at this times IL IS being vigorously opposed in Congress and at nome there are some so timid, fearful Of what meht happen to vested interests, that they too decline to support it. ~
 No real Jeffersonian disciple will do that Like their great leader they are confident that eiie c1mmon people will live up to all the responsibilities of government entrusted to them. They are con vnced that the only intelligent administration oi local affairs is that applied by local authority Anu they look to the present Democratic regime to eahe that attitude The passage of the Dimono Fro hlbtion repeal bill strengthens that conVicuon'