The Wrangell sentinel., 1948-10-15
THROUGH THE SENTINEL PERISCOPE

Alaskan Democrats were making the welkin ring following Tues days election with the slogan "As Alaska goes. so goes the Nation" and could support their cause by pointing to a sweeping Democratic victory in the Territory. Eyes of the nation, too, were looking to- ward Alaska. After all, the Terri tory hadn't been wrong in 36 years. When Alaska was Demo- cratic the nation voted Democrat tc. When it was Republican the national voting followed suit Radio commentators and politica writers were repeating the phrase, some with lifted eyebrow As one Stateside broadcaster put it last night: Maybe they've got some thing" It might be that Pollster Elmo Roper, who had Dewey cleo ted three months ago. had better take another look in the crystal ball.
 Some Republicans meanwhile, were blaming 1t all on boss Albert White. general counselor of the Republican party in Alaska. They Named Albert for the Republican party split and they blamed the split for the Democratic victory. Our book gives the Demo victory to Alaska's- unprecedented number of ballots cast. To beat the fish trap, the little man. and all of his family turned out to vote. The Democratic party is the little mans" party.
 Boss White was in the States eleetioneering for the national Dewey-Warren ticket while Repub lican organization secretary Henry, Benson was pointing with pride to the election of Doris Barnes of Wrangell. We'll he might. Wran- gell's Mrs. Barnes had given her party some solace. In face of the pronounced Democratic trend shsl had run up the largest vote ever given a candidate for the legisla-l ture in the First Division and was leading the field around 400 votes. Up Juneau they were saying: What it takes is to have your 1 picture on page one of The Sem l tinel." The pictures in The Sen tinel were Bartlett, Nolan andl Barnes = all winners.
 *#s*
 As Wrangell could do a little pointing with pride to having not only one, as in past years, but | two members in the House of Re- presentatives, Nolan and Barnes. there was indication in the face of incomplete returns that the Demo- ] crats would control both houses of the 18th legislature. Demos were assured of Is seats in the House | and appeared certain of gaining atl least an 8-8 tie in the Senate. It | promised to be one of the most i progressive legislatures the Terri tory has ever had. The old guard | of reaction has fallen by the way side. Those elected on both tickets in this election are progressive minded - looking forward to real Alaska development and not back ward to the status quo. The out come of this election was proof that the people of Alaska are de- termined to go forward to a more prosperous Territory and before too long. to a prosperous state.
 h&#
 Fish traps took a terrific thump- ing. The trap referendum brought out what undoubtedly will be re- cord vote, and it revealed that AL askans by somewhere around 15 to one majority want traps elimin- ated. There should be no question now in the minds of the experts in the Fish and Wildlife Service how the people of Alaska stand on traps, although that department has nurtured them along through the years. It is our theory that Secretary Cap Krug of Interior, a No. 1 Alaska booster, will see that something is done to follow out the mandate of Aiaskans and in the interests of conservation for