The Mining News
Published by
The Ketchikan Printing Co.
A. P. SWINEFORD. Editor.
RICHARD BUSHEEL Mgr.
SUBSCRIPTION KATES:
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JANUARY . 1007.
ARGUMENT SHOULD BE DIRECT
ED TO CONOR ESS
The question of popular home gov
ernment is one which needs no longer
he argued to ‘lie people of Alaska.
They settled that question, so far as
they are concerned, beyond the con
tingency of 1 single honest doubt, by
an overwhelming msAriti at the lirst
election which afforded them an op
portunity to register their will and
wishes in the premises, and in which
that question was made the foremost
and paramount issue. The argument,
therefore should now ice chiefly aimed
in the direction of Congress, and an
effort made to enlist the aid and influ
ence'of tile press and people of the
States in securing to them a realiza
tion of their e arnest desire for popu
lar home government, as expressed at
the' [Kills by a practically unanimous
vote.
Xeverth-*^
re, :ee, : e t
not lie |.ree iuetixl
than tie y may tend'
'av orah ■ action of that boiFfl
serve to reclaim from the errors of
their way the comparatively few lama
tide residents of Alaska who are ani
mated by honest, though mistaken,
v ews in their opposition to home
rule, and thus ai.d to the very large
majority alre ady recorded in its favor,
in order to make the argument to
congress and the press and people of
tli>- state s effective, it ought not, and
but for the presence in Washington of
parties who are supposedly possessed
of a "pull" and who to say the least,
are inimical to the expressed will of
her people, would not lie necessary to
say or do more than to point out and
make clear the fact that, authorized
thereunto by that body itself, the peo
ple tif Alaska have sent to the House
of Representatives a delegate, and
that lie alone is authorized to speak
and act for them in nil matters per
taining to the general public welfare
of the District, particularly on Re
quest ion of the form of local govern
ment they desire. It need scarcely lie
considered necessary to refer to and
explode the altogether specious argu
ments advanced ov the opponents of a
ropositioqsp 1111(1111- in wccord with
formj^^H|dent. and wi^^^very
shcT'.d be*- sufficient, to all p-a^tical
put poses to show conclusively that
this people, whose intelligence 4 and
capacity for self-government will ' be
the gainer rather than the loser lby
' comparison with any community j/>f
equal numbers anywhere, have (de
clared by a practically unanitsfous
vote their desire, which imjil.es a
perfect belief in their ability, finan
cially and otherwise to maintain it, for
a territorial form of government, to
insure the favorable attention of
Congress -if indeed, all old things in
the way of ponnl.-ir government inaug
urated by the fathers of the republic
have not passed away, and all things
in that regard been made wholly new.
Be this as it may, the people of Alas
ka may not he expected to yield one
jot or tittle in their demand for a rec
ognition of the privileges of local self
government which is their inherent
right, hut which is now unjustly, and
w ithout precedent in the history of
the republic, denied them.
THE POLITICAL PENDULUM
The Woman's National Daily says:
"The political pendulum is a deli
cate instrument, and no one knows it
better titan the man who lias made
polities a life-long- profession. It is
swung by every breeze, no matter how
light or seemingly insignificant that
breeze may blow. The politician
watches that pendulum as closely as a
iiawk watches a fat rooster upon
which it hopes to make a midday
meal. Incidents of national lift* that
would ordinarily pass by unnoticed by
the average person are'taken hv tin
professional politieian and warped find
distorted into "issues" of supreme
importance to the country. The men
wlio have "aspirations" in the [m>1 iti
cal line never let an opportunity pass
to make political capital.
That such a condition is unfortu
nate, or that we are burdened with
too many politicians of the pinhead
class, is a fact that is [latent to any
body who takes a lively interest in
national affairs. We have aiiout
readied that stage in our national life
where one Representative or one Sen
ator can block important legislation
for weeks and months by raising or
making an "issue" that at best really
interests only a hundred or so of the
voters whom lie hopes to influence
with his harangue, Everything that
one of this class of politicians does is
done with an eye singular to the effect
that it will have upon the voters of
the country in the event that he is
‘‘called" to lead his party in a na
tional campaign and election, rather
than the good or bad effect that it
will have upon the country generally.
Bills that are introduced in Congress
are judged not from the standpoint of
merit or publie good, but from the
spandpoint of partisan, vote-getting
politics. Indeed, the making of pol
itical capital and campaign thunder
has lieeome such an active industry in
the halls of Congress that its manu
facture is not coalined exclusively to
the material that is offered in the
various hills presented for Congres
sional consideration and action. Inci
dents and events with which Congress
lias little or nothing to do are dragged
into the limelight through long
winded debates in the upper branch,
turned into the hopper of the political
mill and ground into pieces tine and
small enough to furnish every voter in
tlie country a crumb of political com
fort. The people may get tired of
politics, tint the politicians never do.
The people had reason to expect
something of this session of Congress,
tmt as the days and weeks pass with
practically nothing done in the upper
house, it begins to he apparent that
certain members of that body intend
to do nothing hut manufacture politi
cal buncombe for the campaign two
vears hence. It's an off year in poli
tics everywhere except in Washing
ton. Then1 we have jxilitics always,
or rather we have politicians who
seemingly don't know when the coun
try is surfeited with the article and
who believe that their own political
fortunes are of greater moment to the
country than the most important leg
islat ion ever offered.
They won't let the ]»olitical pendu
I lcm remain stationary long enough for
[those Congressmen who have the
interests of their const it utents really
at heart to do anything worth while.
Hy and by- maybe the jiolitical pend
ulum is going' to swing hack and
kEuck some of thcse small-ixire jKili
'In- oblivion with which
foi i ep bi' enveloped."
IT UK FALLACY
Thos. is. Nowell, who is not un
known to the people of Alaska,
contributes to the .January numlx*r
of the Alaska Magazine the following
suggestions on the question of popular
home government for the district.
In considering the pros and cons
relative to the advisability of terri
torial government, with a legislature,
for the territory of Alaska, the llrst
consideration should he as to the finan
cial ohlignt iimswhieh must he assumed
under such a form of government. 1
I am authoritatively informed that
the expenses now provided for hy the
United States government amount
to over $300,000 annually.
Beyond this, under a territorial form
of government , a large increase in
expenses would he incurred, amount
ing to many thousands of dollars
annually. It would lx1 within reason
to estimate that it would he neces
sary to raise each year by taxation
fully $400,000 to meet the ordinary ter
ritorial running expenses.
Naturally, the people upon whom
this burden would fall are interested
to learn wherein are t he, bene tits to
j'.NWi’m-ivfffj mifer.ew* to eoni^jj^itVToi
such a large outlay. •, Those- who arc
clamoring for territorial government
will toll you that we wvmjd have
conferred ujxin us the great ^satisfac
tion of enjoying the blessing of full
lledged citizens, a boon our fathers
fought for. We fail to perceive
wlierin. under the present system of
local government, we suffer any cur
tailment of personal liberty, or that
we are not Messed with as much free
dom as could be honestly craved by
any American citizen.
Hie physical conditions in Alaska
being so different from those pre
vailing in the territories of the
United States are such, in my opinion,
as to preclude the expectation of a
successful result for us under a terri
torial form of government; therefore,
the argument that these territories
of the United States have found
advisable sncli a form of government
would seem untenable. Out* important
towns and mining districts are situated
so widely apart, some of them practi
cally cut off from the outside world for
months each year, coupled with the
difficulties and expense of trav
el, even under the most favorable con
ditions, that our present system of
municipal government would seem to
be adequate to the needs of the times
especially would it he the case, were
there a few modifications and im
provements provided for in this
system.
The taxes are nominal: limited to
provide for the maintance of well reg
ulated government Under territorial
government legislation might reason
ably be expected which would perhaps
hamper, if not restrict the operation
nf our present and future large mining
companies, such as, for instance, an
eight hour lalxir law, under which it
would he difficult ,if possible, to op
erate successfully many of our large,
low grade ore bodies, to which we
look for increased activity and pros
perity in the mining future of this
vast domain of Alaska. Capital in
generous amounts is necessary in the
development and operation of these
mines, and ( apital and Lalxir should
move together.and our future prosper*
ity depends as much u|Xin the protec
tion and encouragement of Capital as
it does upon any feature of the situa
tion. The adoption of a territorial
form of government, with the inevi
table attendant high taxation, would
undoubtedly deter the investment of
the capital, without which these val
uable dejxisits would lie dormant for
an indefinite period of time. Such
legislation would introduce into Alas
ka the “walking delegate” anil lalxir
troubles, from which we have thus
far lx-en free, the had results of which
would lie deplorable Ixitli to Lalxir
and Capital.
• • • •
Could 1 see any substantial benefits
to he derived through the adoption
of a territorial form of government
for Alaska ,1 would gladly join in the
effort to secure the favorable action of
t'opgre#* to that end, but I contend^
that such a change would at this time
be premature and disastrous.
Governor Hoggatt may well be
commended hv all well wishers of Al
askafor the businesslike administrati , i
he is according the affairs of his office
and to the interests of the territory.
Congress is safe to follow the recom
mendations the Governor has made re
garding territorial government and
the revision of the mining laws for
Alaskia.
The Mining News has prescribed to
itself the rigid rule to accord to those
who differ with it in the discussion
of public questions of grave concern,
the most respectful consideration. It.
finds it difficult, however, to follow
that rule in handling a dissertation
which, like the aliove. can scarcely lie
taken seriously, in view of the fact
that the presumed argument set forth
is based entirely on mere assertion,
on the one hand, and a fear of evils to
come on the other.
Mr. Nowell is authoritatively in
formed that the expenses of the dist
rict now provided for by the United
States government amount to over
$.'100,000 annually, and asserts that
under a territorial form govern
ment a large increase in exjienses
would be incurred, and that it would
probably lie necessary each year to
raise fully $400,000 to meet the ordi
nary territorial running exjienses.
Ordinarily it might deemed amply
sufficient to meet this assertion by an
other. the truth of which could lie
much more easily and substantially
demonstrated—that the running ex
penses of a territorial administration
could be provided for without a single
dollar of direct taxation. Assuming,
for the sake of argument, that the
exjienses of the jiresent hybrid district
government is as much as stated liy
Mr Nowell, it is jiertinent to inquire
a I Mint what jirojxirtion of the whole
amount is raked into the federal treas
ury from the bustne- . and industry of
Alaska itself! Mr. Nowell knows full
well, or ought to know, that the larger
half of the $:ion,000—if indeed thr
annual exjienses of the distritfi gov
ernment amounts to so much—goes to
the payment of salaries of officials, all
of which would lie paid just the asme
under a territorial organization, by
the general government, which would
also jiay the exjienses of the territor
ial legislature. Where then would
lie the necessity for raising bv taxa
tion, the large amount he thinks
would lie the ordinary territorial run
ning exjienses? The fact is, and it is
easy of demonstration, that viewed
from a purely financial stnndjioint, we
would lie the gainer instead of loser
from the institution of a territorial
form of government, even though it
brought with it a burden of taxation
equal to the ratio now allowed to in
coppgriftcd rowns.N. If Mr Nowell is
I unable to demonstrate that fact to his
own jierfect satisfaction, and will con
fess as much, The Mining News will
cheerfully undertake to enlighten him.
Mr. Nowell fails to perceive where
in under the jiresent system of local
government, “we suffer any curtail
ment of jiersonal liberty, or that we
are not blessed with as much freedom
as could honestly lie craved by any
American citizen.” Hut for the rule
which requires at least a semblance oi
resjiectful consideration in this case,
the jiertinent suggestion anont such a
lamentable strabismal defect would lie
that none are so blind as those who
w ill not see. Hut without going into
details it might lie jiertinent to in
quire of Mr. Nowell if. indeed, in
sjiite of his strabismal affliction, he
can see no curtailment of jiersonal lib
erty in being subjected to laws in the
making of which he has no voice, and
which are administered by officials in
the selection of which lie must lie
content, without let or hindrance 1
Our important towns and Mining
districts are situated so widely ajiart,
says Mr. Nowell, some of them prac
tically cut off from the outside world
each year, etc., that our jiresent sys
tem of municijial government would
seem to lie adequate to the needs of
the times. And yet does it occur to
Mr. Nowell, that there would be very
few, if any, municipal governments in
Alaska were they not a necessity to
getting back, to the use and benefit of
their own people, the license and oc
cujintion taxes assessed ujion them by
the general government? However,
the municijial governments are doing
fairly well, and demonstrating to a
certainty the cajiacity of the jieojile
for an intelligent exercise of the priv
ilege of self-government. But Mr.
Nowell fails to take notice of the fact
that all these towns and mining dist
ricts, unlike those of any other terri
tory at the time of its organization,
are in telegrajihic touch with the out
side world, while the means of travel
and communication, even in the win
ter season, are equal to those of not a
few of such new territories, and even
of some of the states for years sulise
quent to their admission to the Union.
“Legislation might reasonably lie
expected which would hamjier, if not
retrict, the ojieration of our jiresent
and future large mining comjianies,
etc.” Does it not occur to Mr. Now
ell, that his fear thus exjiressed can
lie construed as nothing more nor less
than a serious reflection on the intel
ligence of the jieojile of Alaska, as a
whole? And by what prescrijitive
right does he assume to esteem a ma
jority of the jieojile of Alaska less
intelligent than himself! The fear of
evils to come is groundless and unten
able. So far as his story goes, there
is no record of capital being excluded
from any of the territories by exces
sive taxation or other restrictive leg
islation, nnd it is safe to say that Mr.
Nowell himself is not more earnestly
desirous of enlisting cajiital in the
develojiment of Alaska’s resources
prt tbe bwatypt usoof ui all,^
he assumes too much when he assumes
that the business men, miners, pros
l>ectors, or indeed any element of the
Alaskan population, once given the
power of legislation, would immedi
ately proceed t# kill the goose from
which the golden eggs are expected.
He knows, or should know, that capi
tal, to be employed in mining develop
ment, has maintained a larger and
steadier flow during the last decade
into Arizona than into Alaska—and
Arizona is by common repute the
worst governedjof the organized terri
tories.
* Another fear Of Sir. Nowell's is the
“walking delegate" as a concomitant
of home rule. Waiving the question
as to the desirability or undesirability
of the walking delegate, it may be
liertinent to iTnjrftre how he is to be
kept out, home government or no home
government!
LADY BURDKTT-COUTTS
Noting the death of Lady Burdett
Coutts, who recently died in London,
The Outlook says she was proltably
the best known Englishwoman of the
day, outside ti-e-rwnVs of the writers.
For many years her name has been n
synonym for great wealth administered
for the most generous ends, and, as a
rule, in the most practical ways. Her
association with the banking house
which was regarded as second only in
importance and resources to the
bank of EnglandT^Vnade her, on the
death of her mother, one of the
richest, women in the world. No
sooner had the vast fortune come
into her possession than she made a
careful study of many of the most
successful charities of the day, which
resulted not only in making her a
generous patroness of some of them,
but in suggesting a large numlter of
original projects to her fertile mind.
These projects she worked out along
her own lines with uncommon sagacity
and energy. She was devoted to the
Church of England, and one form of
her activities was the building of
churches and schools in poor districts
Tn various parts of the country. The
I Church of St. Stephen's , at West
minster, with 'its schools and rectory,
was one of the fruits of her generosity.
The three colonial bishoprics of Adel
aide, Cape Town, and British Col
umbia were endowed by her. She pro
foundly sympathised with unfortunate
women, and her contributions toward
helping fallen members of her own sex
were conspicuously large. She estale
lished a sewing-school and a home in
the slums of London, which liecame
a most efficient means in rescuing
young girls from the streets of that
city. The English weavers, Scotch
farmers, and unfortunate Irish Ashing
folk, who are sometimes the victims of
severe winters, found in her a con
stant and ready helper, as did hun
dreds of boys whom she put into the
"Hritisfc tfavy. S&i'Hcilt model tene
mets London, endow-ed a model farm,
and assisted many unfortunate people
to emigrate. Her good deeds were,
in fact, so many that she must herself
have forgotten most of them. Twenty
five years ago she married William
Lehman Ashmead Bartlett, a Phil
adelphian by birth, who had long
been associated with her in her chari
table work. Her husband adopted
the name of Burdette-Coutts, and has
represented the District of Westmin
ster in the house of Commons for
more than twenty years. Lady Bur
dette-Coutts had attained great age
as well as great honors, for she was
ninety two at the time of her death.
Many forms of recognition had come
to her from different parts of the
world. Ho long ago as 1871 Queen
Victoria made her a baroness, and
the following year the freedom of the
city of London was presented to her.
In an age when the making of colossal
fortunes has l>een the chief concern
it was the special distinction of this
woman that she distributed a vast
fortune for the benefit of the her
kind.
NOT LIKELY.
The Skagway Alaskan says “it is
rejjorted from Washington that Sena
tor l’latt will resign at the close of
the present session of congress and
that Gov. Hughes will appoint Secre
tary Hoot to succeed him. This is
reported to l*e particularly desired by
President Roosevelt, who scents a
stronger ojijjosition to him and his
policies within the ranks of his own
party in the senate than he has yet
had to face. He desires better sup
l>ort in the senate than he now has.
It is also said that the president's sen
atorial plans include his own selection
to succeed Senator Depew at the end
of his presidential term. Should these
rumors be well founded and President
Roosevelt’s plans fructify, New York
will cense to be a blank in the “great
est" legislative body. A change from
Platt and Depew to Roosevelt and
Root, would have a marked effect on
the United States senate.
Another paper wants to known if
Grover Cleveland will be the one to
answer when the “Junior senator from
New Jersey" is called after next
March? It is said to be not unlikely.
Yesterday's mnll brings report that
the recalcitrant members of the re
publican majority in the New Jersey
legislature have offered to vote with
the democrats for the former presi
dent and present "Sage of Princeton”
to be United States senator unless the
republican majority will drop Senator
Dryden, the insurance man who has
been financing New Jersey campaigns
of late, and assist them to elect a re
publican of their choice. It is not
said whether Mr. Cleveland has been
consulted or not.
It is hardly likely that either of the
three suggested events will happen.
It would be a departure from the
usual course of action on the part of
to legislatures pfcthcw itatM to
for men of such character and caliber
to the kind they have been making U.
S. Senators of. Root, Roosevelt and
Cleveland in place of Platt, Depew
and Dryden would be too much of a
departure from the usual order of
things to lie expected or even dreamed
of.
'_
Alaska Is fully meeting the ex
pectations of those most sanguine of
its rapid developement. The pre
diction that its trade during the pres
ent calendar year would reach Mo, OqO
(XX) is being verified. In the first ten
months of 1906, the figures for which
have just been issued, this com
merce amounted to more than MB,
(XX),(XI, including merchandise.
There has been a steady growth
in Alaska's Vmsiness during the past
several years. Every succeeding
twelve month has shown a substantial
increase. There has lieen nothing
spasmodic aliout the territory’s pro
gress. After the first gold excitement
had abated, its trade settled into a
natural and healthy condition, which
has continued.
There is no doubt as to Alaska's fu
ture. Its known resources are im
mense. and there is much natural
wealth that has not yet been dis
covered. Its climate has proved to
lie not so unfriendly as was formerly
believed. Men with brains and money
have gone there and they are using
both itli good effect. —Cleveland,
Ohio, Leader.
—An anti-territorial paper up the
inland channel, in attempting to ex
cuse or defend Gov. Hoggatt’s course
on the question of territorial govern
ment, among others propounds the
following question: "Is it not a fact
that the newspaper established at
Ketchikan and soon to lie published
by Ex-Governor Swineford, the leader
of the territorial hosts, is owned
almost entirely by saloon men, and
the saloon men started the celebrated
territorialist up in business because
the other paper there would not advo
cate ‘their’ cause?'’ To which the
answer is a most emphatic NO. In
the list of subscribers to the capital
stock of The Ketchikan Printing Com
pany there are just two jiersons who
are engaged in the liquor traffic, and
they represent exactly five percent, of
the whole amount.
—The Juneau Record-Miner which
opposes home government for Alaska,
in noting the receipt of a Nome paper
two months after the date of its pub
lication, suggests that “if it took a
Nome legislator as long to reach the
1 territorial capital as it did the paper
of his home town, the territorial gov
ernment advocate had better get
ready to advocate sessions of the ter
ritorial, legislature once in two years.’’
fan the Record-Miner designate one
territorial organic act which provides
for other than biennial legislative
sessions?
STORY ON JUSTICE HARLAN
Some of his friends were telling
stories alwul Justice Harlan, of the
United States supreme court, and one
of them told this:
The Justice was coming into Wash
ington on a sleeping-car from Louis
ville. Before retiring he went into
the smoking compartment to get a
drink of water. There were half a
dozen men in the place and a flask had
been passed round and the glass used
for the liquor.
Justice Harlan took up the glass,
smelled of it and turned on the smok
ers. “Who,’’ he roared in his deep
bass voice, “has had the temerity to
drink whiskey out of this glass?”
"I did,” pi|<ed up the owner of the
flask, somewhat awed by the great
bulk of the justice.
“Then, sir,” said the judge, stern
ly, “where are you hiding the bottle?”
THINKS HE GOT OFF EASY
Clark Howell, of Atlanta, tells oi
the sad case of an elderly darkey in
Georgia, charged with the theft oi
some chickens. The negro had the
misfortune to be defended by a young
and inexperienced attorney, although
it is doubtful whether any one could
have secured his acquittal, the com
mission of the crime having been
proved beyond all doubt.
The darky received a pretty severe
sentence. “Thank you, sah,” said
he, cheerfully, addressing the judge
when the sentence had been announc
ed. “Dat’s mighty hard, sah, but it
ain’t anywhere near what I 'spected.
I thought, sah, dat between my char
acter and dat speech of mah lawyer
dat you'd hang me shore!”—Roch
ester Herald.
IN THE UNITED STATES COMMIS
SIONERS’ COURT, for the District
of Alaska, Division No. 1, Ketchi
kan Precinct, In Probate.
Int he matter of the estate of Johnny
Kitkoon, Deceased.
Notice to Creditors.
The undersigned, Mark Williams,
hereby gives notice that he has been
duly appointed administrator of the
estate of Johnny Kitkoon, deceased;
and all parties having claims against
the said estate are notified to present
the same with proper vouchers within
six (tl) months from date of this not
ice, at the office of (’has. H. Cosgrove
in the town of Ketchikan Alaska.
MARK WILLIAMS.
Administrator.
Dated at Ketchikan, Alaska, this
9th day of January, A. D., 1907.
U. S. COMMISSIONER’S C’OURx
for the District of Alaska, Division
No. 1, Precinct of Ketchikan, Sit
ting in Prolmte.
In re Estate of Johnny Kitkoon, de
ceased.
Citation.
A petition having l>een presented to
this Court this 7th day of January,
1907 by Mark Williams, administrator,
for an order for the sale of the real
property of said estate, consisting of a
house and lot situated in Ketchikan,
Alaaka, all heir*, devisees and other
person* iat«re»t«d in mM tint* »r*
Hunt, Lathrop Co.
Watch this Space
and
Be Money in Pocket
By Trading With Us
Hunt, Lathrop Co.
The Alaska S. S. CO.
Operatlnt the Fast Steamship*
Jefferson and Dolphin
Carrrint U. S. Mails Between
Seattle, Ketchikan, Juneau, Douglas, Haines, Skafway
Dolphin northbound, Jan. 14 and 29, southbound 18 and Feb 1st.
Steamers and sailing dates subject to change without notice.
Through tickets and bills of lading issued.
For further information apply too
H. S. REYNOLDS. Atcnt Ketchikan. Alaska
S. A. LOVE. Preicht Afent. Seattle. CHAS. E. PEABODY. Manacer, Seattle
■ ■ - ' i * ■ ' ■ .. ' J T
r-\',Tk fr
^<
HENRY GOEMAERE
Prop.
The Seattle Bar
First Class Liquors, Cigars
and Tobaccos
NEWTOWN
KETCHIKAN .... ALASKA |
W. H. GILMOUR TOM JOHNSON
Proprietor Manager
ADMIRAL SALOON
The place where the good
fellows hang out and where
you get what you call for.
Ketchikan - - Alaska
The Budweiser Theater ii
HIGH CLASS VAUDEVILLE
¥ ' II
; ; You are invited to bring your friends and ] [
;; spend a jolly evening at the only theater in ! I
I I Ketechikan. The fine moving pictures will be II
II II
11 exhibited again as soon as the lighting system ; |
is repaired. I I
! KETCHIKAN - . . ALASKA 11
' 1__-__ ( i
11 MOUNTAINEER SALOON
! I Newtown ; [
:: sam go wan :;
< • Proprietor ] !
THE MIDWAY SALOON i:
i ! Opposite Frye Bruhn's J [
;; A tidy first class place.
11 Nothing but the best of goods.
FURNISHED ROOMS
hereby notified that Mondav
14th. 1«07, at 2 o’clock,
as the time for hei