The Wrangell sentinel. (Wrangell, Alaska) 1909-current, 1940-02-16

mlnuIUl LOT the moment lHal the
Craftsmanship OF the convention was
still being challenged. Mr. ". C.
Arnold. Ketehikan attorney, an ae-
tive and astute young man, and re
presenting the anti-White faction
saw what he believed TO be oppOr-
tunity knocking at the door in the
chair. the gavel in his hand and the
majority of the actual delegates
present On his side. control of the
convention would be a mere matter
of power politics.
So Mr. Arnold edged toward the
front of the hall and the ehairman's
seat. At virtually the same time, the
political veteran, Mr.. White sensed
danger. He shouted to one of his
young men. Henry Benson. now Sec
rotary of the Republican central
committee. to grab the gaYel and
the chair. Young Mr.. Benson dash
ed. Young Mr.. Arnold dashed both
toward the rostrum. The latter ap-
peared to have the edge in speed. It
was then that was recorded for pos
terity one of the most historical
flying tackles in the annals of Alas
ka politics Like a good field gener-
al when the big moment comes. Mr..
White saw that young Mr.. Arnold
was going for a touchdown and
probable victory With the agility
of a sophomore halfback the sea
soned political war horse threw his
six feet and better than 200 pounds
toward the dashing Arnold.
The play was never completed.
Young Mr.. Benson gained the ros-
trum and the gayel while Messrs.
White and Arnold disappeared be
hind a nearby piano in a mass of
flying fists and legs Peaeemakers
separated the tacklers. and the sub
sequent action has become Republic
can history in the north The anti
/ White faction rumped on the fol
lowing Monday, hired another hall,
formed an organization elected del
| egates to the national convention in
Cleveland who were not seated. The
White organization continued its
convention in the original hall.
elected delegates to Cleveland and
they were seated by the national
convention.
= y
That was four long years ago. The
breach apparently is as wide today
as it was at that time. Last Monday
in Juneau Republicans met to pay
their annual tribute to that great
American, Abraham Lincoln. The
White organization. under the ban
ner of the Juneau-Douglas Young
Republican Club. met in one ban
auet hall while the anti-Whites,
under the name of the Juneau Re-
publican Club met in another a
block away. The White organiza-
ton called the anti-Whites "black
Republicans. The anti-Whites cal
led the Whites a lot of things and
said they weren't satisfied with the
leadership of the party. Both groups
took a little time TO pay a passing
tribute to Abraham Lincoln.
National Chairman John D. NJ.
to the White Republicans. So did AL
aska Republican national committee
man A. E. Rasmussen of Skagway,
who is now in Seattle. The anti
Whites got their inspiration by pan
ming the Democrats and Mr. Harold
L. Ickes, Secretary OF the Interior,
in particular. Reports would indi-
cate that they are not in accord
with Mr.. Ickes, or Mr. White, but
could see considerable merit in the
record of Mr. Lincoln.
As reported by your periscOper
several weeks ago, it is probable
that there will be two Republican
conventions in Alaska again this
year. The White organization al
ready is making plans for a conyen-
ton at Sitka If the Lincoln day
festivities in juneau are criterion,
the anti-Whites will meet some
where else. Anchorage is being con-
sidered
=
While the Republicans up juneau
way were having themselves an eve
ming and dominating the political
spotlight for the week, your peris-
copper was in receipt of a letter from
Mr.. James A Farley expressing h s
appreciation of the compliment paid
him by the recent Territorial Demo-
cratic convention in endorsing him
as a candidate for the presidency if
Mr. Roosevelt does not choose to
run and Mr.. Farley does He writes:
Il have just returned from a trip
South and your wire advising me of
the action of the convention was
brought to my attention.
Il certainly appreciate the COM
pliment paid me. I wish you would
nYnrncc IL rnnssihIn for ,rn,, u Do GO