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larly as regards names and dales.
THE GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE
The text of the message of Governor Strong to the territorial legis
lature, delivered in the house of representatives at Juneau on March 2,
has just been received here. The document is a lengthy one, and
space limitations forbid its reproduction in these columns, even if the
governor’s views on public questions were sufficiently pronounced to
warrant it. which they are not. Summed up, the document contains the
following suggestions:
A recommendation for safety, sanity, economy and carefulness in
legislation; action looking toward securing a “full territorial form of
government”; an expressed belief that the time has not come when
we can look for speedy statehood; urges adequate revenue and taxa
tion law, with (a) special attention to the ability to pay of those taxed,
(b) repeal of the poll tax, and (c) a tax on the canneries and other
fishing interests; faovrs new laws for the protection of the purity of
elections; favors the extension of the eight-hour law; favors work
men’s compensation act “if the legislature shall find that the industries
of the territory have developed to a point to make it practicable ;
favors optional commission form of government for municipalities; op
poses creation of office of attorney general because the development
board bill pending in congress provides for appointment of such by
the President, with payment of expenses by federal government.
The Juneau Empire, which it has been more than hinted is still the
personal organ of the governor, effectually disposes of this insinuation
by its fulsome praise of the document, a course which, naturally, it
would not be guilty of were that newspaper the mouthpiece of the
governor. To further accentuate this impression, the Empire dissents
from the governor’s opinions in the matter of creating the office of at
torney general—which, however, the Empire says, “is a small matter.”
The most impartial review of the document (which this article does
not profess to be) must recognize two features as overwhelmingly ap
parent—the surprising verbosity of the territory’s chief executive and
his ability to avoid taking a pronounced stand either for or against the
chief questions discussed. In all fairness, however, it must be ac
knowledged that he approves the extension of the application of the
eight-hour law, even though his reasoning in arriving at this decision is
grotesque in the extreme, and also he favors repeal of the obnoxious
poll tax law.
Starting out with the assertion that the organic act does not require
that the governor shall address the legislature, the executive says that
“in conformity with established custom I have the honor to present
for your consideration a brief resume of the condition of the territory,
coupled with an expression of such views as to legislation and other
matters as may prove of interest or value.” Probably wnth a feeling
of inconsistency in a federal appointee thrusting his views upon an
elected legislative body, the governor devotes a large part of the mes
sage to a homily on the duties of the legislators, which reads as though
it were prepared especially for the perusal of high school students, and
it may well be that such was the case, as the Juneau papers announce
that the students were invited to hear the message read.
As was anticipated, the “full territorial government” humbug oc
cupies a prominent place in the message. In spite of the fact that
many requests for the governor and his supporting newspaper to be
more specific on this subject have been made, the message gives no
hint as to what extra powers should be conferred or what limitations
removed. He says: “Your honorable body should take such steps as
may in your judgment be required to secure from congress an enlarge
ment of powers.” And the question naturally arises, An enlargement
of powers in what direction? We fancy that enlargement of powers
would carry with it enlargement of obligations. Is the territory in posi
tion to accept new obligations at the present time? American citizens
wherever located desire as much self-government as is possible, and
the people of Alaska are no exception to the rule. But Alaskans are
not children. If there are any rights or privileges which are wrong
fully being withheld from us, why does not the governor name them?
If the "enlargement of powers” means merely the opportunity of a
governor who is a federal appointee to fill newly-created offices with
his appointees, it is probable there will not be much enthusiasm dis
1 11 .1 _1_ T_ _C_U _1J _11 _ j:
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ciously the liberal powers already conferred for self-government upon
a population as small and as widely scattered as is that of Alaska. The
citizens of Alaska have other business than that of government, and
to unnecessarily encumber themselves with an elaborate and expensive
“full territorial government” would be the height of folly. The gov
ernor very sagely remarks that he is “not one of those who look for
ward to the speedy admission of Alaska as a state of the Union,”
though the reason he gives is not the one generally entertained.
Almost the sole redeeming feature of the message is the discussion
of revenue and taxation, but the effect of this is marred by the use of
platitudes such as the following: “The tax which each individual is
bound to pay ought to be certain and not arbitrary. The time of pay
ment, the manner of payment, the quantity to be paid, ought all to be
clear and plain to the contributor and every other person.” Referring
to the failure of the territorial tax law to secure enforcement, the gov
ernor says: “It is gratifying to be able to state that no material ne
cessity of the territory has suffered by reason of a paucity of revenue to
pay running expenses.” The report of the territorial treasurer shows
that the receipts from all sources from the inception of the office on
July 29, 1913, to December 31, 1914, were $1 15,398.59. The dis
bursements during the same period were $42,312.82, leaving a bal
ance to the credit of the territory of $73,035.77. Of the total receipts,
the sum of $59,1 14.50 was received from the United States treasury
on account of the Alaska forest reserves.
The governor asserts that the fishing industry is not paying its share
of the taxes, and urges the legislature to give the matter earnest atten
tion. This sentiment will be generally indorsed. The canneries are
yearly taking out millions of dollars’ worth of food products, and in
spite of the efforts of the federal authorities, the source is not being
properly conserved. As stated by the governor, practically all of the
fisheries industry is owned and controlled by non-residents of the ter
ritory, "and they should pay a fair tax for the privileges they enjoy.”
This industry, which takes all and gives practically nothing, should be
the principal source of revenue to the territory. The fisheries are the
heritage of the whole people, and not of a few wealthy investors.
Of the poll tax law the governor says; “A poll tax was a feature of
the revenue law enacted by the 1913 legislature; but I am doubtful of
the expediency of levying a tax of this kind, inasmuch as it is a burden
which weighs most heavily upon those who are least able to bear it.”
The poll tax, no matter under what clever sophistry it has been dis
guised, has never been anything but a “head tax,” and no government
regulation has ever been the subject of more abuse. The original idea
of the poll tax, that every man uses the roads, therefore should pay to
maintain them, irrespective of property qualifications, is as unjust as
though the tax were placed under its proper designation. Taxes should
be placed upon property, and not upon mankind. Furthermore, the
method of collecting poll tax provided by the legislature is unquestion
ably unconstitutional.
Discussing the territorial mining law, known as the Roden law, the
governor displays w’onderful acumen. He has discovered that the law
has been the subject of much discussion for and against. “You come
direct from the people,” says the governor, “and your course should
be guided by what you believe will confer the greatest good upon the
greatest number.” It would be too much to hope that the governor
would express an opinion upon a question which has been the subject
of such diversity of expression. And yet, as he says, “mining is the
leading industry of the territory, and every legitimate encouragement
should be afforded it.”
With regard to a workmen’s compensation law the governor is also
non-committal as to the course to pursue. "Of its advantages there can
be no doubt,” he says, but whether the time has come when this terri
tory should provide such legislation he is not prepared to say. “The
subject should be approached in a spirit of fairness, with broad view's
of the dignity and importance of the laborer, aside from the labor he
performs, and also with a true conception of the rights of capital.”
Doubtless.
Of the eight-hour law passed by the last legislature the governor
says that it has generally been observed and has proven generally satis
factory, in hard-rock and coal mines. “Under its operation placer
mines are excepted,” he continues, “but there would be no legitimate
reason why the eight-hour day should not be extended to all kinds of
underground and other mining.” There can be no complaint that the
governor does not come out squarely in favor of the eight-hour day.
But observe the reasoning he employs: “Speaking by and large, ex
perience has demonstrated that a man who works eight hours a day
will do as much work as he who works ten hours, and he will probably
do it better.” Seeing that the eight-hour day is sure to be universally
adopted, this will be pleasant news to the employer of labor. Both
employer and employe will be satisfied—the workman gets his eight
hour day and the employer gets as much and probably better work than
under previous conditions. Which probably accounts for the ease with
which the governor formed an opinion in this matter. But why not
carry out the idea to its logical conclusion? If a man can do as much
work in eight hours as in ten, it necessarily follows that he can do as
much in six hours as in eight, and so on, probably under the theory
that he will have more time to recuperate from his exertions. But it
will be more difficult to convince the workingman of the logic of this
He does not want to sell ten hours’ labor for eight. He desires to make
eight hours the unit of a day’s work, and he does not want to do it/'
under false pretenses. He will admit that his work wail be more effi
cient under the shorter work day, and to that extent only will he go
in urging its passage.
Nowhere is the shallowness of the governor’s public utterances more
apparent than in the discussion of the proposed creation of the office
of territorial attorney general by the legislature. Apparently forfetfu!
of his continued prating on the beauties of self-government, he urges
the probability of the federal government providing such an official for
the territory in opposition to the proposition of a territorial officer
elected by the people.
Among other questions more or less exhaustively discussed by the
governor are election laws, schools and appropriations, commission
form of government for incorporated towns, regulation of public
service corporations, most of which are “submitted for your consid
eration” without definite recommendation.
Taken all in all, the message will be of little service to the legislature
in arriving at a decision upon any important question, and will be
viewed in the light of a perfunctory duty pompously performed.
THE RAILROAD
Next to the announcement of the enactment of the law authorizing the President
to construct a system of railroads in Alaska, the most important item of news flashed
tc Alaska in years was that of last Saturday, when the word came that the route for
the new line had been definitely decided upon. That a wise choice was made no im
partial observer will doubt. In fact, so well known were the advantages of the chosen
route over all others proposed that its selection caused little surprise. That there will be
keen disappointment in some sections which had hoped until the last that the choice
would fall upon them goes without saying, but that disappointment will not be tinged
with the bitterness engendered by a belief that the choice was an unwise one or that
j other motives than the best interests of the territory dictated it.
Now that the route is definitely settled, it remains for the people of Alaska to adapt
themselves to the new conditions, and this they will proceed to do with the true pioneer
spirit. Those cities and sections which have^been passed by for the time being by the
railroad will so shape their affairs as to take the fullest advantage possible of the benefits
which will accrue to the entire territory by the introduction of transportation facilities.
Already an indication of the developments that may be expected is furnished by the
announcement that the Copper River railroad is to be extended through to the Tanana
valley. A new era must be looked for, and new conditions met.
Naturally, the people of this section will be anxious to learn in what way railroad
construction will affect them. From present indications the Iditarod region will be the
least affected of any portion of the territory by the working out of present plans. No
mention is made in the dispatches of the Kuskokwim-Iditarod project, just as none was
expected at this time. That will come later. But in the meantime this region cannot
fail to benefit to some extent by the influx of new blood and new capital into the terri
tory which will follow in the wake of railroad construction. There are immense fields
open to the prospector and miner in this section of Alaska, and the approach of cheaper
transportation must necessarily have its effect upon the gradual opening up and develop
ment of these resources. Iditarod, with the balance of the territory, will share in the
benefits conferred by railroad transportation; and by the time that work is commenced
upon the branch road that is to open up the great Kuskokwim, Innoko and Iditarod
regions there will be a substantial foundation ufrion which to base an era of lasting pros
perity.
The outlook for Alaska, and especially this portion of it, was never brighter.
In reprinting from The Pioneer the story of the output of this district for last season,
an exchange made an error in the figurse. This item has been extensively copied, error
and all, and Iditarod is credited with a gold output of $42,058,390.40. The addition of
the first figure in the total constitutes the only variance from the correct sum.
Using the United States mail service for the forwarding of threatening letters is a
dangerous as well as a reprehensible practice. While Uncle Sam is regarded as a humor
ous old gentleman, his sense of humor has not been developed to the point where he
can distinguish the joke in a Black Hand epistle.
The report that an attempt is to be made to revive the g. o. p. in Alaska through the
organization of Republican clubs finds but little response in this section. Even that con
firmed stand-patter, Mayor Stanton, refuses to enthuse.
Gold St., Flat City
Mrs. Geo. Mutchler, Prop.
. Nitely Furnished Rooms Bam for Horses and Dogs Baths in Connection
SOME LEGAL DECISIONS
OF UNCOMMON INTEREST
(West’s Bulletin and Book News)
Biting by Wife Justifies Self-Defense
Security from physical injury and pain
are now the right of a husband. That a
man may defend himself against the attacks
of his wife has been recognized as a right
by a court. Whether the doctrine may ever
be so far extended as to relieve from mentul
suffering and anguish, by affording injunc
tive relief against the wife’s “callings” and
admonitions as to late hours and the hus
band's closest associates can be settled by
time only. But some of his rights were
laid down by the court of criminal appeals
of Texas in Kelton vs. State, 160 S. W. Rep.
342. This case arose out of a prosecution
for assault. The only evidence for the
Mate was that the wife of accused had asked
him for money to visit relatives, and was
told that he did not have it, but would have
it for her a little later; that she became
angry, striking him on the head with a
bucket, and then biting his shoulder, when
he reached down and got a rock and struck
(jack over his shoulder, making a small cut
on her head. In reversing a verdict for
erroneous instruction the court held that
“While the assault upon a woman usually
is aggravated assault, this does not deprive
a party of his right of self-defense against
an assault. His right to defend himself
against the attack of a woman, or against
his wife, under these circumstances, would
be the same as her right of self-defense
against him or against any other person.”
Love Note Causes Injuries
A lover who chants an occasional billet
doux should be careful of how he chants
it, and take heed from the case of Johnson
vs. Chicago, R I. & P. Ry. Co., 141 N. W.
Rep. 430. The plaintiff was a lady friend
of one of defendant’s brakemen, and lived
near the railroad tracks. This brakeman
had often waved at her, and had by his
acts and conduct indicated friendliness to
ward her, and had thrown off to her maga
zines and other articles. At the particular
time in question, while upon a passing train,
he undertook to deliver to the object of at
traction a personal note from himself. For
the purpose of weight he attached the note
to a torpedo, and threw the little missive
forth, landing it near the lady’s home. In
pursuance of the intent of the brakeman,
the young lady obtained possession of the
note and torpedo, both being brought to her
by her sister. Being unaware of the dan
gerous character of the torpedo, she was
later injured by its explosion. For such
injuries is -‘he railroad company liable? The
supreme court of Iowa holds that the act
pf the brakeman was not one which he
was required to do for any purpose or under
any circumstances in the line of his em
ployment, but was apparently purely per
sonal between the brakeman and the
plaintiff, so the company was not liable for
plaintiff’s injuries.
Admissibility of Utterances While Asleep
Is evidence of what one said in his sleep
competent against him? In Martinez vs.
People. 132 Pacific Reporter, 64, defendant
was charged with the murder of a woman.
One of the people’s witnesses testified that a
few days after the kil.ing he slept in a
bunk house with defendant, and that about
1 :30 in the morning he heard him exclaim:
“I shot her! I shot her! I shot her! I
had to do it to save myself from the pen” ;
and that he thought defendant was asleep,
but did not know. The supreme court of
Colorado holds that it is only the voluntary
Statements of a party that may be used
against him, and one is not responsible for
what he says in his sleep, because he is un
conscious and it is not voluntary, and that
where there is a question as to whether de
fendant was asleep* or awake when he made
the utterances it should be left to the jury
under proper instructions.
Fingers in Wrong Place
At certain times in our lives we would
like to lose cur hands and feet. When we
go calling the first time, or have the pho
tographer attempt to make us look graceful
and happy and other things we are not,
or attend our first banquet with about
fourteen separate knives, forks and spoons
in close proximity to our plate, whereas
we were accustomed to eating by Nature’s
own method, our pedal and manual ex
tremities are the largest-appearing, most
cumbersome and awkward things ever cre
- ]o R'»rn to do
with their hands and fingers. They usu
ally otfe.ii ua.mg Mem oiappeu, and end
by having them burnt. Others are simply
unfortunate, as was the plaintiff in Pen
dergrast vs. Durham Traction Co. .supreme
court of North Carolina), 79 S. E. Rep. 984.
Plaintiff, in alighting from a moving street
car, took hold of a grab-handle, when a
ring which he wore on his little finger be
came caught in a screw head which pro
jected above the surface hardly a sixteenth
of an inch, with the result that his finger
was torn off. The lower court’s dismissal
of the action for damages was affirmed by
the supreme court. “Giving due considera
tion to the circumstance of the obscure
placing of the screw, * * * that the
plaintiff was caught in a very thin finger
ring on his left hand, and that the wrench
as given by the forward movement of the
car, which had never stopped, and from
which he was in the act of alighting, we
are of opinion that the case comes clearly
within the category of inevitable accident,
and for which the defendant should not be
held responsible.”
Does a Burglar Wound Intentionally?
If a burglar, in seeking to make his
escape, shoots and fatally wounds the in
sured, is the injury intentional? This was
one of the questions in Allen vs. Travelers’
Protective Association of America (supreme
court of Iowa), 143 N. W. Rep. 574.
Thomas Carmody died from injuries from
a gunshot wound received at the hands of
a burglar. From the evidence it appears
that quite a scuffle took place between
Carmody and the escaping burglar. The
beneficiary brings action for accident in
surance against defendant held by Car
mody. The defendant relied upon many by
laws and rules indorsed on the back of the
certificate of membership, chief among
which was the following: “That the asso
ciation shall not be liable in case of in
juries, fatal or otherwise, or by intentional
injuries causing death or disability, inflicted
by the member or any other person upon
him.” The court said: “It is urged by ap
pellant that a verdict should have been di
rected in its favor on the evidence as a
whole, on the ground that it conclusively
appeared that the injury from which Car
mody died was intentionally inflicted by
the burglar. On first impression it would
seem uncandid to say that the victim of a
burglary, shot by the burglar in an en
counter, w-as not intentionally injured; and
yet we think it must be said, upon this
whole record, (hat circumstances are made
to appear which fairly tend to show an
intent to avoid personal injury on the part
of the burglar. The theory of the plaintiff
is that he shot only to frighten Carmody,
and to make his escape. The evidence would
warrant a finding that, after the shot which
took effect, he shot twice over the head of
Carmody when he was within a few feet of
him, backing downstairs, and when he could
not have failed to inflict further injury upon
him if he had tried to do so. ' * '
The defendant’s defense rested at this point
wholly upon the question of the intent of
the burglar. Such intent could be ascer
tained only by inference from the circum
stances shown. The question of intent is
usually and peculiarly a jury question.
We think the intent was not proved so con
clusively as to entitle the defendant to a
directed verdict upon the affirmative propo
sition.” _
ALASKANS AND THE LAW
(Alaska Dispatch)
N. A. Peary, district attorney at Nome,
is quoted as saying in the Seattle papers:
“Alaska is toning down. I notice that
as time goes on there is less litigation
throughout the country, and that people are
gaining a greater respect for the law.”
In behalf of Alaskans generally the Dis
patch desires to say that there never was a
time when Alaskans did not show a whole
some respect for the law. Even when the
law was administered by carpet-baggers
and these grafting officials denied Alaskans
their rights and took fortunes from them.
Northlanders still remained obedient to fed
eral authority. Before any court officials
appeared in Alaska miners made their own
laws. There was no appeal from their de
cisions. When undesirables were told to
mush they mushed, and didn’t stop to argue
the question.
TVrnr, /<oma (Via I'niirte \finora nr\t nnl V
respected but showed almost a reverential
regard for the agents of Uncle Sam. Many
a Northlander had treasured among his few
possessions a small American flag to be
brought out on special occasions, and the
court officials were hailed as the true rep
resentatives of all which that flag repre
sented.
There is no use in going into details of
the burning wrongs and crimes committed
in the name of that flag. Rex Beach and
other writers have merely given flashlight
pictures of some of the more glaring ones.
Those becoming acquainted with the facts
have often wondered at the patience of the
Alaskans and the great respect for the gov
ernment in the face of the smarting abuses
heaped upon them in the name of the law.
It still makes us hot under the collar to even
think of them. No such czar-like, auto
cratic, despotic rule was ever before visited
upon freemen.
That litigation is becoming less is not
due to the fact that Alaskans are showing
“greater and greater respect for the law,”
but is because of the fact that the judiciary
itself has improved and been reformed in
Alaska. We now have mostly Alaskan
judges and court officials, who are admin
istering the law as they honestly understand
it, with a comprehensive understanding of
the needs and rights of the people. M'r.
Peary of Nome either spoke thoughtlessly,
without considering what his words meant,
or else he is woefully ignorant of the his
tory of the judiciary in Alaska.
THIS SERBIAN COMMANDER
USED UNIQUE TACTICS
NISH. Serbia. March 13.—Captain Wu
kiaovitch of the artillery has just been given
the cross of a knight of the Order of Kara
georgevitch for his brilliant exploits during
the recent hasty retreat of the Austrian
army from Serbian territory. Unable to
I proceed with his artillery on account of the
j impossible condition of the roads, the cap
| tain ordered the horses unhooked and the
guns abandoned. Mounting the gunners on
l the horses, they pursued the fleeing Aus
i trians and took from them their artillery,
which they at once turned against them.
When again the Austrians were too far away
be reached by their own artillery, and
it was equally impossible to proceed over
e muddy roads, the Austrian guns were in
turn abandoned, the gunners mounted on
the horses and the Austrians pursued till a
1 fresh battery was taken and turned against
| them. The captain continued the maneuver
until the last Austrian soldiers had crossed
the Drina and Serbia was free of invaders.
PIANO TUNER
George Anderson, piano expert, on pianos,
player pianos and electric pianos, also fac
tory representative for high grade pianos,
will visit Iditarod the coining summer on
i his sixth annual trip. Any person in need
of expert piano tuning and repairing, or ]
wishing to purcahse a piano, communicate :
| Box 991, Juneau, any time before May. 1
! 1915. 3-17-1
Professional
Vllchlfran, 1881 Alaska, 1910
Kentucky, 1891
George Woodruff Albrecht
COUNSELOR AND LAWYER
IDITAROD, ALA8KA
The Pioneer Attorney or Iditarod
E. M. STANTON,
Attorney at Law
Office: Corner Willow and Second Sts.
Iditarod Pioneer Building
W. F. HARRISON,
Attorney at Law
IDITAROD, ALASKA
Room 12, Regina Hotel
CHAS. E. TAYLOR,
Attorney at Law
BANK BLOCK
First Avenue Iditared
DR. MOORE,
Physician and Surgeon
Gold St., Opposite Postoffice, Flat City
Eye-Glass Fitting Telephone
DR. H. E. AURINGER,
Physician and Surgeon
Office: Gold St. Flat City, Alaska
Consultation Hours in Forenoons and by
Appointment
DR. H. BEHLA,
DENTIST
Will arrive from Chicago on one of the
rirst boats this spring and will be at hia
office in Flat City for about two month*.
Best of Everything
ALL THE TIME AT THE
Arcade Cafe
FLAT CITY
Open Dav and Nl*ht
Regina Hotel
MRS. N. P. GILMORE
FURNACE HEAT
REASONABLE RATES
Second and Willow Streets
Warm Horse and Dog Barns
OPEN DAY AND NIGHT
DISCOVERY
CAFE
FLAT CITY HOHBACK A DURAND
Bet. the Grand and Bagoy's Bar,
THE BEST ALL THE TIME
WE ARE HERE TO STAY
PIONEER CREEK AGENCIES
FLAT CITY.Mr*. C. C. Chlttick
DISCOVERY OTTER-H»rry Donndlty
For General Express and Deliver*
of Wood in the City
Leave Orders at Iditarod Hotel
DAN HARTNET
Location Notices at Pioneer
-—
When at ^ m m m CLEAN, WAR* R00*»
8F:acpc.ttyth. Snyder House 1™..<««.-.«*
Naw Stables for Horses and Dogs MRS. DICKSON, PROP.
I -
1 Seward Gold Seal Pacs |
ARE THE BEST ON THE MARKET
H. &ONNELLE/, discovery, otter [
Fresh Meats
Beef, Fish
Sasond St. DITAROD MEAT CO. I
I the best of everything all the time_
Caribou Cafe
J GOOD MEALS
i, ii i SHORT ORDERS
FIRST AVE. OPEN DAY AND NIGHT f