The Wrangell sentinel., 1956-06-29
THROUGH THE SENTINEL PERISCOPE
What Constitution?

of 1856, Congressman Leo W. O- Brien of New York introduced in the House of Representatives bill ito enable the people of Alaska to form a constitution and state gov ernment and to be admitted into the Union on an equal footing with the original states
 Last year Rep. OBrien visited Alaska as chairman of sub-com- mittee of the Interior and lnsular Affairs committee and doubtless heard that the last Legislature had arranged to hold a constitutional convention. Since, he likely has been informed that such trump convention was held at Fairbanks last winter and that now there are even candidates running for U. s. Senators and Representative under terms of a proposed constitution drawn up at that remarkable con vention. As an influential member of the Interior and Insular Affairs and one who particularly keeps up on Alaska affairs, Rep. OBrien is no doubt aware of all that has transpired, including the eXpendi- ture of taxpayers money to hold an unauthorized convention.
 So, obviously as an advocate of statehood for Alaska. the Congress- man from New York, introduced the aforementioned bill as re- gently as June ', 1856.
 It provides for holding an auth orized constitutional convention in the capital of the Territory, the membership to be made up of 27 delegates, elected by the qualified voters of the Territory of Alaska as follows: First Division. six; Sec ond Division, three: Third Divis- ion, ten; Fourth Division, five, and three to be chosen at large from the entire Territory. It has many other provisions, most of them sim liar to the countless other state hood bills that have been intro duced in Congress over the years Significantly, the measure is pre- sented to CongI ess at this time. after all the whoopla of the Fair banks convention and it's Tennes- see plan. indicating that some members of Congress recognize the Territorial legislature authorized convention for the outlaw that it was.
 Meanwhile. the political music goes around and around. Last week end. the Democrats in convention in Anchorage joined the Republi cans in the Tennessee plan. They named former governor Ernest Gruening and William Egan of Valdez as the senatorial candidates under the Tennessee plan and for mer attorney general Ralph Rivers of Fairbanks as representative can didate. The way it appears to line up, Gruening will compete with Republican John Butrovich Of Fairbanks for the sixyear term. Egan will oppose Robert Atwood, Anchorage publisher, and Rivers will be opposed by Charles c. Bur dick. former Forest Service official
 Alaska Road Money
 The federal highway aid bill has passed Congress and under its a. mended provisions Alaska will share in federal aid money for the first time Heretofore, road money for the Territory has come in dir ect appropriations by Congress. Un- der the new act, beginning July 1 of next year, the Territory can re eeive $11.546,000 in federal money on 50-50 matching basis. On popu- lation increase estimates the a. mount can reach S15,637.OOO by 1869.
 HaIbut Pay Off
 Pink salmon season opened in some area of S. E. this week with a reported rather dismal showing But the halibut season, now ended, paid off as one of the best in years. Prices ranged up to 20 cents pound and fishermen reported excellent catches. Shares of S2.00O DOT man for the short six weeks season were not uncommon here. The lay-over plan between trips, a. 6opted by the fishermen themselves was generally reported as success full
 Independence Day
 Wednesday is the Fourth of July, Independence Day. the day the IS original colonies declared their in- dependence of the British crown aas set up these United States.
 Joining with the nation. Wran- sell will have a big celebration The Fourth of July committee has done another excellent job and ar engagements are complete for a full day of celebration activity. See the esMplete program elsewhere in to- days paper for list of everts.
 l.. W.