The Wrangell sentinel., 1948-12-03
THROUGH THE SENTINEL PERISCOPE

Alaska in its October general election cast approximately 5000 more votes than ever before in it's history, official tally compiled by the Territorial Canvassing Board in Juneau reveals. The final fig ure showed 23.054 hallots as com pared with 16,979 in the 1946 el- ection. Tally shows the First Divi- sion cast S,536 this year as against COPS two years ago. The Third cast S,4S4. a jump from SITS in 1946 and the Fourth 4.195 as com pared with 3,2S7 two years ago. Second Division dropped from l. SS6 in 1946 to 1921 this year.
 Although the First still proved to be the largest from point of voters. the Third made the big gest gain. jumping it's total more than 2.700 over two years ago while the First made 2,5OO gain.
 If Alaska had registration of eli gible voters as do the States. it probably would reveal that the 23,000 figure is considerably more than 50 per cent of the eligible vote. probably closer to 75 per cent on the basis of an estimated 90,000 popuation, many of whom are under voting age and others workers who have not established residence.
 No doubt the controversial fish trap issue had much to do with bringing out the voters. In every Division there was a huge vote on this referendum Virtually every precinct expressed itself on the is sue, many in places where the fish trap was an unknown quantity. The vote against traps was ap- proximately seven and half to one. The tally shows 19,707 a. gainst traps as compared to 2,614 for continuing their use. The First Division cast 7.179 against traps and HIS for continuing them. The Third was 7,727 against, 552 for; the Fourth 3,650 a. gainst and 42S for traps; the Sec ond 1,151 against and 521 for traps.
 The big vote proves more than anything else that Alaska is on the way toward a greatly increased permanent population. A jump of 6,000 voters in two years can mean only that many have come to the Territory to make it. their home. and have established resi- dence of one year required for voting purposes. The figures should make interesting study for the Congressional committees who will consider Alaska statehood. Pre- vious committees who have been up here studying statehood pos abilities usually wind up their discussion with. ives. we know a. bout your estimated population, but how many voters have you got?" Voting strength shows po- tential taxpaying ability.
 &&
 Official canvas of the Second, Third and Fourth Divisions was completed this week. In. the Third for Delegate Bartlett, 6,543; Stock, 1,719; for Attorney Gener- al Williams. 5,108; Peterson, 2,734; for Auditor =. Boyle, B. 531; Goetz, 2,34S; for Highway Engineer = Metcalf, 4.520; Mac Donald. 3,506; for Senate = Steve McCutcheon, 5,1f1; Huntley, A. 521; Morris, 2.976; Olsen, 2,907 McCutcheon, Huntley elected; for House Stanley McCutcheon, B. 23S; Carlson. 4,572: Pollard, A. 49s; Egan, 4,3SO; Conright, A. 297; Heating. 4,231; Owen, A. O67; all elected. others trailing; against traps, 7,727; for traps. 552; total vote, s, ASA.
 In the Fourth for Delegate Bartlett. 3.4S1; Stock, 65S; for Attorney General = Williams, D. 275; Peterson, 1899; for Auditor = Boyle. 2.749; Goetz, 1.201; for Highway Engineer Macdonald. 2,410; Metcalf, 1,610; for Senate Barr, 2,567: Butroyich. 2,442; Lander, 1,64S; Woofter, 1,259: Barr and Butrovich elected; for House = Franklin, 2.435; Dale, 2,127; Angerman, 2,027; Taylor, 1864; Miscovich, 1,949; all elect ed. others trailing; against traps, 3,650; for traps, 42S; total vote, 4.195.
 Bartlett, 1,15S; Stock, 542; for Attorney General Peterson, STA; Williams, 739; for Auditor = Boyle, 952: Goetz. 6S1; for High way Engineer = Macdonald. S95;