The Wrangell sentinel., 1946-10-25
THROUGH THE SENTINEL PERTSCOPE

that the next Territorial House of Representatives would be split even - 12 Democrats and 12 Re publicans. Last week returns show ed a Republican majority in the House. but as additional precincts came in from the Third Division the Democrats gained strength. With all but one of the 59 pre- cincts in the Third reporting, the Democrats had captured five House seats and the Republicans two Sanak was still to come and the absentee vote was yet to ,be counted in that Division.
 It appeared in the Third that the COP had elected Berrit Snider. high man. and Oscar Gill while the Demos had scored with Will liam Egan, Steve McCutcheon, Glen Barnett, Walter Huntley and c. A. Pollard Mrs Evangeline At wood was trailing Pollard by 31 votes for seventh place. It seemed unlikely that there were enough votes outstanding in the missing precinct of Sanak and in the ab- sentees to alter greatly the re- turns
 In the other Divisions there was no change in results from last week with the exception of the size of the figures. With all pre- cincts in and the absentee ballots counted in the First, Joe Krause of Ketchikan was leading John Smith of Metlakatla for eighth place 2.541 to 2,531 and Frank Price of Sitka was trailing with 2,529. Krause apparently was ds- sured of reelection. The other seven House members elected from the First, as announced last week are. James Nolan of Wrangeu, high man; Anita Garniek of Ju- neau, Mrs. Elton Engstrom of Ju- neau, Steve VukoVieh of Juneau, Harry Newell of Ketchikan, And rev Hope of Sitka and G. E. Am quist of Juneau. L. P. Dawes of Juneau and Frank Peratrovich of Klawock were chosen Senator's Second and Fourth Division results were unchanged from those an bounced last week except that those elected increased their leads.
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 When the Legislature convenes next January 27, this is the way il will line up:
 SENATE
 Demo rats Frank Peratrovich, Norman R. Walker, Joe Green (1st Diyisionl: 0. D. Cochran, Tolbert Scott, C2nd); Victor C. Rivers, Don Carlos Brownell, Edward Coffey (3rd) and Leo Rogge (4th); Re publicans - l.. p. Dawes, (1s) William Munz. Charles Jones, (2nd); Gunnard Engebreth, (3rd) Andrew Nerland, E. B. Collins and John Butroyich (4th). Nine Demo- crats. seven Republicans.
 HOUSE
 Democrats - James Nolan, liar ry Newell, Andrew Hope. G. ,. Almquist, Joe Krause (1sD Divi- sion); Edward Anderson (2nd) William Egan, Steve McCutcheon, Glen Barnett, Walter Huntley, C. A. Pollard (3rdD; Robert Hoopes (4th); Republicans - Anita Gar nick, Mrs Elton Engstrom, Steve Vukovich (1st); Dewey Anderson, l.. E. Ost, w. w. Laws (2nd); Os- car Gill, Gerritt Snider (3rd); 4. F. Coble, L. F. Joy, Maurice John son, Lawrence Meath (4th(. Twelve Democrats, 12 Republicans.
 The vote was easily the largest in Alaska history. With but few remaining votes to come in total of 16,010 has been cast for De,e gate. of these Bob Bartlett had 11,244 and Amer Peterson 4,766.
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 As the returns mounted, the favorable vote for statehood was gaining appreciably, including a. bout 70 per cent of the voters in favor of statehood for Alaska. With but few remaining precincts to be heard from the figure for statehood stood at 9,204 and that against 6,5SS. The issue lost in the Fourth Division by about 100 votes and in the Second by about 200, but the First and Third vot- CTS were emphatic in their desire for statehood. This was almost equal to the vote percentage cast for statehood in the sister Terri tory of Hawaii In addition to eA- pressing the desire of Alaskans for equal standing with other citizens of the United States, the statehood vote was a nice compliment to Governor Ernest Gruening and the Interior Department. The Depart rient more than a year ago came cut with a policy statement favor ing statehood for the Territory. Secretary Krug has advocated it strongly. The Governor went right