The Daily Alaska empire., 1936-08-07
IS TT FISH?

The rupture at Douglas which split the Republican party in Alaska from Point Barrow to Dixon Entrance apparently fails to heal The two factions which emerged from that historic dual session still two very different and divided factions, judging from the rumble which continues to emanate from time to time, particularly from the anh-whites Numerous voters have offered opinions; the so- called anti-White faction have viewed with alarm and expressed every degree of surprise at the of the Douglas Convention but the issue or goal back of the hot contest for control of the Re- publican party in Alaska has never been plainly stated by the stalwarts that boed the Douglas Con- vention and later not seated by the Republican National Convention at Cleveland
 Why is it they so strongly desire control and domination of the Alaskan Republican Party? Many voters have noted that the phalanx formerly the spearhead against the Albert White group at the convention those who have long been local representatives of the outside cannery interests So perturbed is the Kechikan Chronicle over the Doug las crackup of party lines that it is going record against the convention system and urging return to direct election of convention delegates
 Indicating that it is not at all satisfied with the results of the Republican split and limiting that it represents quite a faction of the Republicans the Chronicle comments follows in recent issue:
 The recent territorial political conven- tions, particularly the republican fiasco in Douglas, demonstrated the fallacy of the leg islatiVe action which took from the people the right to name their own choices for delegates to the national political conventions to make their own recommendations for national com mltteemen. It is apparent that in changing the law the legislature stepped not ahead but backward The next legislature should go back again to the old system or at least make such changes as will take power from the bosses of future territorial political conven- tions.
 Of course both systems have serious ob- jections. The national Democratic conven- tion it is estimated, boasted delegates of whom two-thirds officeholders Were the records known, two-thirds of the Republican delegates to Cleveland may have been job seekers. Thus the system of national conven- tons is bad one. But at least we know that the duly elected delegates all go to these con- yentions. If the wool is pulled their eyes, they know it. If they object strenuousy enough if they rally enough others to their support, they accomplish something
 But in Alaska, convention will not be at- tended by 100 per cent of its delegates or any where near that percentage Ketchikan entitled to p delegates, was represented at the Republican convention in Douglas by four persons. The entire Fourth division with all its votes, represented by one person The entire Second division was represented only by proxy.
 So it was easy for one man. knowing that properly constituted convention would upset
 
 ure which gave no voice to anyone except him and those who did his bidding The result is that the national Republican party recog- nzes in effect Al White as the leader and voice of RepublcanSm in Alaska
 The majority of votes at the Douglas con- vention were unalteraby opposed to Al White They would not have made Mrs. White the national committeewoman. They would not have sent White-controled delegates to the convention. They would not have seen MT Rasmuson, who walked out of the Douglas convention, become committeeman again Yet the majority was ham-strung as it could not have been if all duly elected delegates were able to attend.
 The old system was at least a degree bet ter. Under it. the Republican voters of the Territory would have had the opportunity to vote for delegates to the national convention and for committee posts Had they endorsed White ticket, then there could be less com paint.
 When the strongly Republican Ketchikan Chroni- e, acknowledged representative of one of the fac ions, continues to grieve the results of the famed Douglas Convention nearly four months after its adjournng the issue involved that makes contro so desirable must be very important
 Is it Fish?