THE IDSTAROB PIONEER
Published Evary Saturday Mornlnc at Idilarod, Alaska
Vol. 7 CHARLES A. DERRV, Editor and Publishar No. 7
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LINCOLN’S BIRTHDAY
Many biographies of Lincoln have been published,
end the more that is written and printed about this
remarkable figure in American history, the more is
the tendency to respect and reverence the memory
of the Great Emancipator. Few men have been sub
jected to such ridicule, vituperation and venomous
attacks as was Lincoln. No man ever emerged
bom such an ordeal less embittered and with more
enhanced reputation than he. The more one reads
of the life and work of the homely-visaged martyr
President, the more one wonders at the immense
obstacles that this man, self-taught and unaided, met
and overcame, in preparation for the great destiny
in store for him. Born of humble parentage in the
backwoods of Kentucky, and reared to a life of toil
in that state and the adjacent commonwealths of
Indiana and Illinois, he grew up practically without
education. In a modest and brief autobiography
he says: ‘‘There was absolutely nothing to excite
ambition for education. Of course, when I came of
age, I did not know much. Still, somehow, I could
read, write and cipher to the rule of three, but that
was all. I have not been to school since. The little
advance I now have upon this store of education I
Lave picked up from time to time under the pres
sure of necessity.”
From such humble origin and surroundings sprang
the man whom Robert Ingersoll, himself pre-eminent
at the bar and on the forum, poetically designated
ar, “the greatest of our mighty dead, whose memory
is as gentle as the summer air, when reapers sing
’mid gathered sheaves. ’ As long as the American
nation shall endure, the life of this great man will be
an inspiration to its youth, as it has been during the
past half century, in him is represented the con
summation of that dream of the founders of the
nation—a land of equal opportunity and equal
rights; a land where manhood is accepted at its true
worth.
Lincoln was a many-sided man. The casual
reader is apt to associate his life work entirely with
the emancipation of the negro. But liberty with
Lincoln meant more than striking the shackles from
the limbs of bondmen—it meant also freedom of
mind, of soul. Today there will be reprinted in hun
dreds of publications throughout the land that loves
to do him honor the wonderful speech delivered at
Gettysburg in 1863. Who can listen unmoved to
the recital of those solemn words wherein the resolve
is made “that these dead shall not have died in vain;
that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth
of freedom, and that the government of the people,
by the people, and for the people, shall not perish
from the earth”? But other phases of liberty as
understood by him were given prominence in his
speeches and writings. He was the champion of the
poor against oppression, the sympathetic adviser of
labor in its fight for better conditions. His attitude
on the question of temperance was typical. It was
not the economic side that most appealed to him.
ft was the suffering and privation visited upon inno
cent women and children because of the liquor evil
that wrung his great heart. His speeches upon the
evils of the liquor traffic have almost the solemn note
of prophec3r which marks the books of the Old Testa
ment. At this time, when the prohibition question is
uppermost in the minds of a large portion of the peo
ple, a notable speech delivered by Lincoln at Spring
field on Washington’s birthday, 1842, will not be in
appropriate. Throughout that speech the enslave
ment of the mind by the vice of intemperance seems
tc have been the point at which most of his shafts
were aimed. He said:
Of our political revolution of 1776 we are all justly proud. It
has given us a degree of political freedom far exceeding that of
any other nation of the earth. In it the world has found a solu
tion of the long-mooted problem as to the capability of man to
govern himself. In it was the germ that has vegetated, and still
is to grow and expand in the universal liberty of mankind.
But with all these glorious results, past, present and to come,
it has its evils. It breathed forth famine, swam in blood, and
rode in fire; and long, and long after, the orphan’s cry and the
widow’s wail continued to break the sad silence that ensued.
These were the price, the inevitable price, paid for the blessing it
bought.
Turn now to the temnerance revolution. In it we shall find
a stronger bondage broken, a viler slavery manumitted, a greater
tyrant deposed—m it more of want supplied, more disease healed,
more sorrow assuaged. By it, no orphans starving, no widows
weeping; bv it, none wounded in feeling, none injured in interest.
Even the dram-maker and seller will have glided into other occu
pations so gradually as never to have felt the change, and will
stand ready to join all others in the universal song of gladness.
And what a noble ally this to the cause of political feeling; with
such an aid, its march cannot fail to be on and on, till every son
of earth shall drink in rich fruition the sorrow-quenching draughts
of perfect liberty! Happy day, when, all appetite controlled, all
passion subdued, all matter subjugated, mind, all-conquering mind,
shall live and move, the monarch of the world. Glorious con
summation! Hail, fall of fury! Reign of reason, all hail!
And when the victory shall be complete—when there shall be
neither a slave nor a drunkard on the earth—how proud the title
of that land which may truly claim to be the birthplace and the
cradle of both those revolutions that shall have ended in that vic
tory! How nobly distinguished that people who shall have planted
and nurtured to maturity both the political and moral freedom
of their species!
-V
CHILD LABOR
7h passage by the national house of representa
tives last week of the bill prohibiting the carrying of [
products of child labor in interstate commerce is one j
p{ the hopeful signs of the times, and is a great step |
forward in the campaign for moral and material up
lift. For years this bill has slumbered in the pigeon
holes of a congressional committee room, until at
last a man has been found courageous enough to
brave the powerful manufacturing interests of the
Southern and New England states sufficiently to re
port it to the house, where the people’s representa
tives could have a chance to vote on it. The result
is most gratifying; and if only the good work can
be kept up until this measure has passed the gantlet
of the senate and received the signature of the Presi
dent, unborn generations shall rise up and cal! the
Sixty-fourth congress blessed.
Laws regulating and prohibiting the employment
of children have been enacted by many of the states*"
but always there has been serious opposition to such
legislation on the part of the manufacturers, and es
pecially those engaged in the production of cotton
fabrics, in which industry many thousands of chil
dren are employed. The evils of child labor have
been dwelt upon so often by social workers, trades
unionists and women’s organizations as to require
no further elucidation. The bugaboo of states’
rights has interfered with the passage by congress
cf a national enactment on the question; but the ac
knowledged jurisdiction of congress m matters per
taining to interstate commerce provides the means
whereby the same end may be attained as though the
prohibition of the employment of children were pos
sible by congressional action.
The time is at hand when every child born or
dwelling under the Stars and Stripes will be entitled
to claim his heritage—an education and equipment
for life’s battles that will give him equal participation
in the great opportunities provided for him in this
country as in none other on earth. If suffering be
threatened by the prohibition of the use of baby
hands in the matter of earning daily bread, the state
must step in and provide the necessaries of life.
American commerce and American capital will in
time be ashamed to acknowledge that the preserva
tion of their wealth and its accretions was dependent
on the toil of children who should be acquiring edu
! cation and living the healthful lives which nature
demands for the young and immature.
-^
THE EDITOR AND THE POSTAI. SERVICE
Editor Steel of the Cordova Times, who recently
resigned as postmaster of the coast city because of
the reduction in his clerical force, relieves his feelings
through the columns of his paper in a particularly bit
ter denunciation of certain officials. Without knowl
edge of the details of the controversy, it s not possble
to indorse the remarks of the Cordova editor; but
from what knowledge is current as to Alaska’s postal
service, there is a presumption in favor of the belief
that his strictures are justified. That there is some
thing wrong with the mail service somewhere is ap
parent. This may be righted by a change of officials,
but surely the service we are receiving cannot be im
proved by a policy of parsimony. The Times says:
Through the machinations of a horde of special agents, in
spectors, gumshoe men and what nots, a blight has been cast upon
Alaska, from the effects of which it is just about recovering when
another menace threatens us. In the first instance these govern
ment men were representatives of the land department and clothed
with a little authority. 175 a month job and $4 per diem expense
account, were largely responsible for the tieing up of Alaska's re
sources. And they were not particular as to the methods adopted to
accomplish this end. Honored men and men of integrity were
branded as law-breakers, and in many instances were forced to pro
tect their good name in the courts; but there is not a single in
stance of record in which they did not secure a complete vindica
tion. The country finally having gotten rid of most of these miser
able wretches, another branch of Uncle Sam's business throughout
this section of Alaska is now feeling the effects of a receDt visit to
the territory of one of the aforesaid “gumshoe” artists.
As a result of a junketing trip through AJaska this summer of
Inspector Neil, the excellent postal service given in most of the
j towns is to be all shot to smithereens. This doughty champion of
administration economy—always w’ith a large “E”—jumped into his
buckler to declare himself the watchdog of the United States treas
ury, and upon his recommendation the postoffice department at
Washington, having taken this inflated creature seriously, has cut
the allowances for clerk hire to such a minimum that it may be
necessary to give these federal jobs to the bohunks at Anchorage,
who are working at a lower rate of wages than will sustain a white
man. In the Cordova office, which is the distributing station for all
the Interior mail for eight months out of the year, the allowance
for clerk hire has been cut in two. Of course the necessity of hav
ing a janitor in a building that handles nearly 300 sacks of dirty
mail from each steamer is the grossest kind of extravagance, and
the position having been abolished, possibly it is the intention to
have this man Neil do the work—and he’s certainly more fitted for
it than he is to revolutionize the postal service. ^
i-♦
WTien it was announced recently in the news dispatches that
nearly a score of Americans had been taken from a train in Mex
ico and murdered by bandits there were the usual number of de
mands that the United States immediately invade Mexico. A reso
lution having this object in view was introduced in congress, and,
as was to be expected, the “terrible Teddy” was on deck with a
similar suggestion. It was noticeable that the administration, also
as usual, refused to be stampeded. The reason for its calmness
under the trying circumstances is gleaned from a press dispatch of
January 14, which was as follows: “Secretary of State Lansing
today reiterated his statement to the effect that the slain mining
men entered Mexico in the face of repeated warnings issued by
the state department^which published far and wide the informa
tion that a state of guerrilla warfare existed in Mexico and that
Americans should not enter that country until complete order
should be restored. Mr. Lansing insists that the assassins shall
be brought to justice, and declares that the state department will
see that this result is achieved without delay.”
--—V
Elsewhere we published an article written by an old-timer of
the North which displays a rather unusual point of view on the
game question—unusual, that is, as coming from a prospector.
As a rule too much indifference is shown with reference to this
subject by the men who are most interested, the prospectors and
the miners themselves. The article is well worthy the considera
tion of those who have the interest of the country at heart, and
who are desirous that the splendid game resources of Alaska shall
not be wasted.
-«
An exchange refers to the residents of Anchorage as “Anchor
ites.” The dictionary says that an “anchorite” is “one who retires
from society into a desert or solitary place to avoid the tempta
tions of the world, and devotes himself to religious duties.” Well,
part, at least, of the description fits.
-♦
The question now will be, What “neutral” port was utilized
to equip and man the German commerce raider which captured
the Appam and herself was captured by a British war vessel? Is
there likely to be a repetition of the Alabama incident, with the
principals’ positions reversed?
MORE ABOUT THE CHARGES
AGAINST GOVERNOR STRONG
While the charges filed with the interior
department against Governor Strong by a
former employe of the executive office ap
pear to be trivial and the result of a politi
cal row of greater or lesser degree, yet state
ments are being publicly made in connection
with the matter which probably will call
forth explanations. If it be true, as appears
from the following from the Portland Ore
gonian, and reproduced in the Ketchikan j
Progressive-Miner, that Senator Lane will
take the matter up, it is probable that more
will be heard from them. Without any de
sire to make a mountain out of a molehill,
the Oregonian article is here given, as of
interest to those who desire to know what
the controversy is all about:
“Charges brought by Alaska Democrats
against Governor J. F. A. Strong, and mailed
to Bo Sweeney, assistant secretary of the
interior, who has referred them to Secretary
Lane, were explained yesterday by Edward
I. Wade of Juneau, who came to Portland
to ask United States Senator Lane, who
formerly was a resident of Alaska, to take
up the charges with the secretary. Senator
Lane has promised to present them.
“Mr. Wade, who formerly was a clerk in
the governor’s office, prepared the charges
himself and sent them to Assistant Secre
tary Sweeney at Washington several days
ago.
“ ‘My personality cuts no figure in the
matter, however,’ he declared. “I am only
acting for the majority of Alaska Demo- j
crats, who want the governor removed. The
governor was appointed April 13, 1913, by j
President W'ilson, on the supposition that he j
was a Democrat. His office, however, has j
been under the thumb of his secretary, j
William W. Shortfall, who is a Republican, j
and who has been retained in office against j
the wishes of the Democratic population of,
Alaska. _ I
“ ‘Under his influence our “Democratic” j
governor has filled every important appoint- j
ive office with Republicans. Among thej
Republicans he has appointed are W. G. i
Smith, territorial treasurer, formerly presi- j
dent of the Katalla Taft Club, at $4,000 a
year, and Arthur G. Shoup, superintendent j
of the Alaska Pioneers’ Home, at $2,000 a !
| year.
“ ‘As secretary to the governor, Mr. ;
Shorthitl himself, who is a hold-over from ,
the administrations of Governor Hoggatt |
and Governor Clark, draws $2,150 a year;
from the interior department. He also gets |
$720 a year from the territorial govern- j
ment and $1 from every hunting license j
sold in Alaska, which is a good, fat sum in |
itself. In addition to this he is said to get ;
approximately $900 a year as special dis
bursing agent.’
“According to Mr. Wade, the charges
against Governor Strong are as f'Pov/s:
“That he has violated President Wilson’s
neut-alui order in writing anti Teutonic
editorials in the Juneau Daily Mail. Among
the editorials cited in which bitter anti
German sentiments are said to bo expressed
are : ‘The European Apocalypse,’ September
28; ‘European Activity in the United States.
September; ‘An Eye to Trade amt Barter,’
October 2; ‘Still the Unspeakable Turk,’
October 7, and an editorial paragraph re
ipiting on the Gera ;.:i governmeti’ in
October 4.
“That though he asserts he was born in
Franklin county, Kentucky, no record of
j him is obtainable there, and that in reality
j he is a native of New Brunswick.
“That his Republican secretary, William
W. Shorthili, is permitted to draw three sal
aries, in alleged violation oi the federal
statutes. In this connection an opinion by
Attorney General Cobb of Alaska holds that
all the salaries except that as secretary to
I the governor are illegal.
“That W. G. Mills of Sitka, a Republican,
j has practically a monopoly on furnishing
supplies, and audits his own accounts.”
_A
A WARNING TO OTHERS
Levi Vaughn Fogler trumped the ace of
spades in a solo game in the Moose Club at
Dawson recently, leaned back in his chair
to laugh at the discomfiture of his friend,
Jerry Doody, and then quietly died in his
chair.
It was Levi’s only trump, and in capturing
the ace of spades, which among the more
superstitious card players is known as the
death card, he defeated Jerry’s solo.
A general laugh from players and spec
tators followed. When another player re
minded Levi that it was his turn to lead,
his spirit had fled from his body.
-<
Fresh Olympia and Eastern Oysters, SI.50
per can. Iditarod Meat Co.
CLEANING AND PRESSING
ALL KINDS OF FUR WORK
Suits Cleaned and Pressed, Fur Coats and
Robes Lined, and All Kinds of
Fur Work Done
MRS. CHAS. LAFfSOIM
Orders may be left with Mrs. Thornton
LARSON BROS.’
WOOD SAW
Any Length Handled
Any Part of City
Telephone
Mutch lor Bros.
GENERAL
FREIGHTERS
DAILY STAGE SERVICE
OPEN DAY AND NIGHT
FLAT CITY HQHBACK <£. DURAND
Bet. the Grand and Bagoy's Barj
THE BEST ALL THE TIME
WE ARE HERE TO STAY
Best of Everything
ALL THE TIME AT THE
Arcade Cafe
FLAT CITY
Open Day and Ni&ht
P r o fessional
Michigan, 1881 Alaska, KMO
Kentucky, 1891
George Woodruff Albrecht
COUNSELOR AND LAWYER
iDlTAROD, ALASKA
The Pioneer Attorney of Ihllarort
- - ■ - -- - - - - ■ ■ ■ ■
E. M. STANTON
Attorney at Law
Office: Corner Willow and Second 6te.
Iditnrod Pioneer Building
CHAS. E. TAYLOR
Attorney at Law
BANK BLOCK
First Avenue Iditartxl
Fred Harrison
ATTORNEY AT LAW
Room 1 Over Merchants Cafe
! ^___________________________ _
DR. MOORE
PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON
DR. H. E. AURKiGSR
Physician and Surgeon
Office: Flat City Hospital, Flat City
j Consultation Uour3 in Forenoons and by
Appointment
DR. H. BEK LA
j DENTIST
Appointments by Telephone
FLAT CITY
se:ondstJQlTAROO Iff EAT CO. ph°n913
Gold St., Flit City
Mrs. Geo. Mutchler, Pro?.
Nicely Furnished Rooms Barn for Horses and Dogs Baths in Connoction
| Deolor In
HARRY DONNELLEY
GENERAL MERCHANDISE j
DISCOVERY, OTTER j
THE BEST OF EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME
MERCHANTS’ CAFE
FIRST AVE.
GOOD MEALS
SHORT ORDERS
OPEN DAY AND NIGHT
ROBT. 60UTAR
Prop.
We Pay the Highest Market Price for
RAW FURS
AND WILL BUY ANYTHING FROM A MUSKRAT SKIN TO THAT HASHISH DREAM OF
THE TRAPPER, A PURE BLACK FOX
Wre Cairy a Well-Selected Stock of
Class A Fresh Groceries
In Workingmen’s Clothing
we can supply you with Logger Shirts, Woolen Overshirts, Mackinaws, Woolen Pants, Stan
field and Medlicott Underwear, Leather and Woolen Gloves and Mittens, Rubber Pacs and
Felt Shoes
Mr. Woodchopper, if you are up against a knotty problem, we invite you to call and see us,
We have the solution—Axes, Mauls and W'edges.
Mg MAHON
GENERAL MERCHANDISE FLAT CITY