Obligations of the Legislature of Alaska
(Continued from Page 3)
■should we authorize it?” Delegate
Sutherland then explained that i.i
his position without a vote “I have
to make compromises when I ought
not to compromise.” But the House
decided that in the present in
stance no compromise was necessary,
and when a vote was taken on
Chairman Curry’s motion to suspend
the rules and pass the bill there
were but 12 ayes to 130 nays.
The overwhelming defeat of this
bill can only be understood when it
is realized that the powerful Chair
man Curry made a special plea for
its passage, declaring among other
things, “If this bill is not enacted
into law probably tie-up, to a cer
tain extent, the government of that
Territory. Nearly every Chamber
of Commerce has approved the bill
the Governor has approved of it and
asked me to get it passed, if pos
sible. Nearly every city govern
ment in Alaska has approved it, and
some have opposed it.”
And notwithstanding this unusual
influence to legalize the violation
of the Federal law the House said
NAY with a powerful voice. As Mr.
Stevenson so aptly said, “When the
Legislature meets, however, it will
have to separate this business.”
Mr. Cooper, of Wisconsin, in an
swer to Chairman Curry, said, “Act
ing Secretary Mr. Finney, of the
Interior Department, says the suit
was based upon the ground that the
Territorial appropriations were
void. The court sustained this con
tention as to certain items, includ
ing the one for additional compen
sation to the Secretary of the Terri
tory. Does the gentleman think it
would be establishing a good prec
edent for Congress to enact a law
which would permit an act that was
void in the law when originally
done, to continue in the future.”
And the answer was decidedly NO,
upon the part of the House.
The Federal Brigade Is Supreme
Let. us see just what a strangle
hold the Federal Brigade has upon
the Territory and how they disburse
the Territorial fund. For the Gov
error’s office no direct salary ha3
been made for the Governor, but
an allowance has been made for his
Secretary, and he is provided with
two clerks and a janitor, traveling
expenses, an entertainment fund and
repairs to the Mansion, all aggre
gating $10,700 per year. And yet
he is a Federal official.
The Secretary of the Territory,
Karl Theile, is appointed by the
President. His Federal duties are
extremely light, consisting of presid
ing as Governor during the absence
vfrom the Territory of that official,
and also the sending of the Session
laws to Washington. He is only
allowed a salary of $3,600 per year,
with no allowance for office rent or
clerk hire. Quite a nice little plum
in its way. But the Territory makes
this position quite attractive by giv
ing the Secretary an additional
$2,000 per annum and makes pro
vision for the salaries of three
clerks, office rooms and incidentals,
to the total of $10,800 per annum.
The Treasurer of the Territory is
not elected by the people. Oh, no,
he is selected by the Governor. But
he performs only Territorial duties
and is paid his salary of $5,000 per
annum by the Territory. And his
assistants and tax collection clerks
a'id contingent expenses are paid
by the Territory. The total amounts
to $21,450 per annum.
l he Commissioner of Education ta
purely Territorial position, but the
law says that he may be secured
thru the votes of the Governor and
four senior Senators, the five con
stituting the Board of Education.
Do the Senators elect the Commis
sioner? Oh, no. He is elected by
the Governor, thru influence that
his office brings every two years
on two Senators. At times the
price paid has been high in promises
or patronage fulfilment. The Com
missioner for salary, clerks, print
ing, etc., expends over $13,000 an
nually. Then for maintaining schools
and constructing new buildings out
side the Incorporated towns, he
oveisees the expenditure, with the
aid of the Governor, of over $480,
000. A total of nearly half a mil
lion dollars per year. The board
of Education usually meets once
every two years to name the Com
missioner.
The Governor Is The Big Cheese
The Territory appropriates about
one-quarter million dollars per year
for roads, trails and shelter cabins.
But the Board of Road Commission
eis is composed of the Governor and
Secretary—two appointees from
Washington—and the Treasurer and
Highway Engineer, both named by
the Governor. These officials are al
lowed, in their good judgment, to
expend this money thru the Alaska
Board of Road Commissioners, ap
pointed from Washington. So the
Federalists again control that fund.
The Board of Trustees of the
Pioneers’ Home is headed by the
Governor. He appoints two others.
And the three disburse annually
about $49,000 for the Home. The
Governor is also head of the Board
tnat handles the Territory’s fund
of $75,000 per year for allowances
to aged pioneers and relief of des
titution. Dependent children gel
tneir $22,500 per year thru the
direction of Federal court office.
The Agricultural College and
Sshool of Mines receives an amount
direct from the government of $50 -
000 per year. The Territory also ap
propriates from $68,000 to $80,00<»
per year for the maintenance and
expansion of the College. Is it ex
pended by the Territory? Oh, no
Tne Governor appoints the Trustees,
and they expend the money. The
Board is kept non-partisan thru the
appointment of a surplus of Demo
^1 Cl. to.
The Territorial law provides that
the Governor may appoint the Mine
Inspector, and designates his duties.
But a subsequent act practically
abolishes that office and the Federa'
Supervising Mining Engineer is giv
en $10,000 per year of Territorial
money to pay office expenses, travel
ing expenses, and assistants.
The Commissioner of Health has
a total of $9,000 per year at his
disposal, to pay salaries, rent, and
contingent expenses. But the Ter
ritory only pays the bills and the
Governor names the Commissioners
and his assistants.
The Territory Furnishes The Money
The Alaska Historical Library and
Museum, costs the Territory $9,800
per year, but the money is expended
by Federal officials and their ap