TRAPSHOTS
Is it true that John Ford Starr is
departing: this land? During his
entire stay here, he has been an
employee of the government? Per
haps the climate did not suit, else
he might have stayed to become a
part of the ‘‘permanent” residents
of our own beloved Alaska. Once in
a great while, an ex-government
official stays in Alaska after his
term of office expires. The Starrs
are fine people, handicapped by being
related to royalty, but nevertheless,
we feel that if they had been our
neighbors “in the states” we would
have found them to be fine neigh
bors. * * * *
In the argument on the petition
of P. E. Harris & Co. to enjoin the
enforcement of the trap closing law
which the Harris Company said
should not be enforced because it
was so difficult to obey it and it
would cost so much money, special
assistant U. S. Attorney H. D. Stab
ler told the court that the trapmen
had a moral claim for relief from
the law, but that the officers had
no other recourse than to enforce
the law and the regulations. “We
would be glad to do anything we
could to satisfy these claims but we
know of no way and counsel for
plaintiff has shown us none in which
we can,” he added. But there is a
way. The Bureau of Fisheries have
found the way and that is they
have again shut their eyes to the
fact that the majority of traps are
not constructed so that they can be
closed legally. The court has said
that a V-shaped opening will not do;
but the trapmen have said the V
shaped opening is what they will
use. In the contest of law and or
der. the Bureau of Fisheries has set
aside law.
Who are Republicans and under
what obligations are they to support
their party? Governor Scott C.
Bone is a Republican, or is sup
posed to be. But he comes into
Ketchikan and says, “Of course, you
understand that this year it will be
impossible to support the Republican
ticket in this Division.” Which
means that Republicans of his liking
will vote the Democratic ticket.
“Rule or ruin” is the system, and
the men who have been sent to us
because they are Republicans and as
such rendered a service to the party,
are merely Republicans because
“there is money in it.”
* :Jc * *
Readers‘must not forget that the
Juneau Empire has for its editor
the southern (?) born Democrat
John W. Trov, lately returned from
New York City where he has been
helping to select a Democratic can
didate for President to run against
Mr. Coolidge. Troy was given the
Empire by Governor Strong- and
when it suited the said Troy, bene
factor Strong was kicked out. There
is no love lost in politics—pure
business, you know. Since then Troy
has been waxing fat upon the favors
of the Republican Governor Scott C.
Bone. Politics in Alaska is certainly
queer, for the said Republican Gov
ernor is now advising (quietly) his
friends and Republican office hold
ers that “it will be impossible this
year to vote for the Republican tick
et in Alaska.” After a while he
will get the nerve to say out loud
“Vote the Democratic ticket.”
* * * *
“President Coolidge’s election, at
this time, seems as certain as any
thing can be in politics. Little doubt
about that. But the people must
give him a Congress of real Re
publicans that he may obtain en
actment of constructive legislation.”
—-National Republican Weekly.
We object to the phrase “must
give.” Under our system, whatever
the people decide to give should be
acceptable to citizens, whether he be
a President or not. We refuse to be
bou rd by definite rules regarding
our party allegiance. Candidates
have a right to stand for election
from any party; it remains to the
bona fide members of the party whe
ther or not the candidate will be
accepted. If he is, he becomes their
expression of party regularity. If
he is defeated, then he must remain
with the minority. It is impossible
to hope for absolute unanimity.
The fundamental wrong in Alaskan
government is that the territory is
governed without “the consent of the
governed.” The present federal bri
gade is imposed upon us without our
consent. If they had been elected by
the people, we could accept them
with good grace—until the next elec
tion.
For Your Next
Shoe Repair Job
Try J. EMERTON
Next Door to Elks Entrance
TOO TRUSTING
I beg to inclose herewith a letter
received by me in yesterday’s mail,
which I think, perhaps, you will be
interested to insert:
“Dere Mr. Weyesman:—I gut yure
lettur about wat i o Eishler. Now be
pachunt i aint ferget yu. Plese watc.
Wen sum fools pay me, i pay you.
If this wuz jujment day and yu wuz
no more prepared to meat yure maker
as i am to meat this bill, yu shure
wuld hav to go to hell. Trusting
you will du this.
“STANISLAUS CHARNESS”
Marcus H. Weisman, Seymour, Conn.
-»
When will the small businessman
realize that the backbone of Alas
ka’s economic system is the resident
fishermen ?
f->
Ketchikan Steam
Laundry
F. J. CHAPMAN, Prop.
Nothing but first class work done
Satisfaction guaranteed
Ketchikan - Phone 24 - Alaska
V__J
Chinese Noodle House
Noodles and Chop Suey Upstairs
Pool Tables Downstairs
Green 46
Ketchikan, Alaska
Butterhorn Bakery
The House that Quality Built
Ketchikan, Alaska
VIOLIN MAKER
and Repairer of Musical
Instruments
P. B. HOGAN
Ketchikan, Alaska
ENTERPRISE MACHINE WORKS, Inc.
Ketchikan, Alaska
Machinists, Blacksmiths, Welders
Phone 199
NOTARIES LIABILITY BONDS
CHARLES & HARDCASTLE
FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE
KETCIII 1< A N