The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1944-04-13

IDEAS nave had anything ike an equal influence upon
the institutions OF this country But these institu-
lions. these free institutions degeneratng today,
not only in Alaska but all America.
Jefferson said
Il do then with fresh zeal wish inviolable
preservation of our present federal Constitution
and am opposed to the monarching of its features
by the forms of its administration hereditary ten
ure of these offices and am not for transferring
all of the powers of the States to the General Gov
eminent Federal, and all of those of that Govern
ment to the executive branch not for multi
plication of officers and salaries merely to make
partisans
These things have been gradually creeping into
our Government of late America is in great need of
able to live up to that requirement. But we are
fighting with every weapon have at hand the
further expansion of Federal control over our small
backyard of home rule.
We urge and plead to all Alaskans who feel
do, not to be misled by fattery and promises not
to be deprived of these measures of home rule for
which Aaskans fought for years to not to allow
wiful politicians who hold Federal offices kick
around at their will
We urge everyone who reads this to hold on to
their right to cast their ballots in the coming Terri
toria election of their own free willdo this and you
will defeat this thing
coercion and intimidation is something which Thomas
Jefferson, and men like him, have handed down to
you. Use it and you will not be defeated! Don't sell
it, Don't trade it above all for promise because most
promises not collectable when they come due.
1t will take strength to do this But the Juneau
fisherman, who refused to give his vote upon
request, who refused to put himself record as
willing to ask for the votes of his comrades,
when this might have helped in their problem had
that strength And in the long run, we believe he
will come to realize that this vote he might have
given away was far more important than the problem
of the moment
During the birth pangs of this country, the rights
which our forefathers set up for sharply
defined and the Constitution well drawn that
is still the supreme law of the land With the devel
opment of the country however, came men who every
now and then gained power by using powers which
the people in turn had given them to corner the
precious rights of the people to express themselves
freely at election time Votes in the big cities those
of citizens not yet of the power American
citizenship gave them, were not difficult to get with
money promises, jobs. We had Tammany Halls all
the country The press its freedom established
that even today it cannot be silenced through
with what was known as undertaking" The term
originally meant "scraping up mud or dung But it
was effective and many corrupt official was
scraped up
In the fury that followed Congress passed the
Hatch Act which for the purpose of further
ensurng the right of the people to cast their votes
of their free will We quote section in part
1T shall be unlawful for % any person employed
in any administrative position by the United States
or by any department, independent agency, other
agency of the United States or t2) any person
employed in any administrative position by any state
in finn wit anva Wit vph is
in whole or in part by loans grants made by the
United States . to his official authority for the
purpose of interfering with affecting the election
the nomination Of any candidate FOR the office Of
President Vice President, Presidential eector Mem
Der of the Senate, Member of the House of Repre-
sentative or Delegate Resident Commissioner from
any Territory insular possession"
This law further specifies that the term State :.
any State Territory possession Of the United
States
The United States District Attorney whom we
believe to be very capable man. well versed in the
law has this opportunity of determining whether
he who represents the people in the Courts of Law
is obliged by his duties and oath of office to follow
this matter through. Or perhaps it might be the
duty of the Attorney General of Alaska to do this
or both, We do not claim to be experts on law.
These men both are well aware Of their duties
and perfectly capable of carrying out these duties
without any help from u.s. or any other person.
We certainly do not intend to demand outright
that any charges be brought, to attempt to bring
pressure to bear And also hope that the officials
in question will have the same good Judgment
More important, the of these two officials is
not the only 1t is indeed fertile ground for
discussion We do not intend to stop with this turning
over Of one stone in mighty rocky field