IIENEY W. CLARK WRITES A
BOOK
--x
Henry W. Clark is a fine ex
ample of what a man of Indian
descent can do if afforded a
chance. He was born in Ketchi
kan, Alaska. His father was a
noted lawyer of early days, and
his mother a member of one of
the noted families of the Wran
gell Tribe of Indians. Her fath
er was a real pioneer by the
name of Chouquette.
Henry Clark finished high
school in Seattle, Washington,
and then went to Harvard Uni
versity where he was graduated
with highest honors. He was al
so a great footballer, and now
holds the position of Assistant
Director of Athletics at Harvard.
Alaskans are proud of him and
we hope that his success will in
spire other Alaskan Natives to
follow his example, a difficult
job no doubt, but worthy of em
ulation.
We hope to read his new book.
“A History of Alaska,” written as
his thesis for his doctor’s degree.
We regret that advance notices
indicate that Mr Clark lacks a
true understanding of the legai
status of the Alaskan Indian and
the effect certain laws passed
by the Legislature have, as ap
pears in the following excerpt:
“In 1915, it (the Alaska Leg
islature) enfranchised Alaskan
natives under strict conditions
which were made so by the in
sistence of the Indians them
selves.”
the tacts are these—that the
Alaska Legislature has no power
to “enfranchise” Indians or any
body else. That is the function of
the federal government alone,
and it is so well known that we
wonder how Mr. Clark could
have made such a statement.
We realize that the confusion
that exists regarding the status
of the Indians in the United
States proper has made the Alas
kan situation difficult to the
“man on the street.” But the
confusion rapidly disappears
when the law of citizenship is
studied ^
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Alaska Office: Seattle Office:
PORT ALEXANDER 1911 L. C. SMITH BUILDING
The 14th Amendment to the
Constitution tells the story in
simple words: “All persons born
or naturalized in the United
States and subject to the juris
diction thereof, are citizens of
the United States and of the
State wherein they reside.”
Is Alaska a part of the United
States? Of course.
Were these Indians born in
Alaska? Of course.
When bom, were they born
“subject” to the jurisdiction of
the United States? Of course.
What more can they do? Noth
ing.
Were they then full citizens
without any further “enabling
act” on the part of the Alaska
Legislature or the United States?
Of course.
Virtually every question that
could be raised concerning the
Natives of Alaska was answered
in the case of U. S. v Wong Kim
(169 US 649) this being a devel
opment of the principles laid
down in the case of Elk v Wil
kins (112 US 101).
What was the act of 1915 of
the Alaska Legislature?
Nothing. And it was so recog
nized by Judge Jennings of the
District Court for the First Divi
sion of Alaska.
It was useful in an argument
(something like a passport would
be) with “deep sea lawyers” who
abound in Alaska. But as an act
of “enfranchisement” it was and
is nothing, and should have no
place in a “history of Alaska.”
-x
TOMMY’S RIBS
The teacher of the .class .in
physiology put .to .Tommy .this
question: “How many ribs have
you”? “I don’t know,” said Tom
my, squirming at the very thot.
I’m so awfully ticklish I never
could count ’em.”