laska Delegates at the Republican
National Convention
Several inquiries have been made
s to whether the delegates from
Uaska to the Republican National
Convention had any diflicntly in so
uring recognition at Kansas City.
They did not, but only because
f the foresight of Judge Wicker
lam, one of the delegates. He
ook the precaution of securing
rom the tour clerks of the court,
elt graphic certified copies of the
lection returns. These showed the
vevwhelming election of Judge
V’.kersham and Dr. W. H. Chase,
here was no opposition to the caa
idacy for alternate delegates of J.
>. Gottstein, of Anchorage, and Wii
am D. Grant, of Wrangell. The
Cter had given their proxies to
apt. Austin E. Lathrop, of Fair
anks, and Will A. Steel, of Juneau,
)otu of whom were present and
eady to serve at the convention.
After the Alaska delegation ar
md at Kansas City on June 10ti:,
hey made a visit to the offices of
Villiam M. Butler and Roy (). West,
cspectively Chairman and Secrt
rry of the Republican National
hmrnittee. After submitting their
iocumentary evidence, which was
he only nature of a certificate avail
bh . Chairman Butler ordered the
amps of the delegates and proxy
Iternates placed on the temporary
oR call. Then badges and tickets
rere provided and as there was no
ontesting delegation the regular
nd properly qualified representa
ives from Alaska were seated.
The convention opened on June
4.11 and the committee on creden
ia's later submitted a report which
rac adopted by the convention, an 1
hich permanently seated the Alas
a delegation. Up to this time
othing had been heard from the
anvassing Board of Alaska, and
dthout returns held and submit
iiy
Will A. Steel, Senator First Division.
-o
ted by Judge Wickersham there
would have been no good or valid
reason for giving any representa
tion to Alaska.
On June 14th Chairman Butler
received a wire from Secretary of
the Territory Karl Tlieile, trans
nutting the vote for delegates aim
National Committeeman, with the
information that there were about
500 votes not yet received from the
four divisions. As Capt. Lathrop
Wc>o only reported as having a ma
jority of slightly more than 200, the
effect of the telegram was to cast a
doubt on his election, and it was
agreed that the delegates could not
consistently report him as the se
lected National Committeman from
Alaska.
It was felt that the only tiling the.
delegates and alternates could do
was to submit the facts in writing
to the convention, with the recom
1 n eiulation “that the Secretary of the
National Committee he directed „o
place on the official roll the name
ot the candidate for National Com
mitteeman from Alaska who finally
receives the majority vote and cer
tificate of election.” This was ac
cordingly done hut it is not report
ed that the name of Capt. Lathrop
l as been entered as the Committee
man.
The following were appointments
from Alaska by the convention:
Committee of Resolutions and
Committee on Rules and Order of
Business—James Wickersham, of
Juneau;
Committee on Permanent Organi
zalion, Committee on Credential
and Vice President—Dr. MV. H.
Chase, of Cordova.
Member of the National Commit
tee—Mrs. Forest. J. Hunt,, of Ket
chikan.
Member of Committee to notify
candidate for President—Will
ktecd, of Juneau.
Member of Committee to notify
candidate for Vice President—Sen
ator Arthur Frame, of Anchorage
The delegates and alternVites
from Alaska authorized their mem
bei of the resolutions committee »o
press for adoption in the report of
the committee to the convention, ttie
following clause:
“We favor granting to the peopl •
of Alaska the usual form of Terri
torial government, similar to that
accorded to all Territories within
the United States; and we hold that
officials appointed to administer the
government of any Territory should
be bona fide residents of the Ter
ritorv in which their duties are to
be performed.”
There was but one ballot taken in
the convention for either President
or Vice President, and the Alaska de
legation in each instance voted for
the men nominated, Herbert Hoovei
aid Charles Curtis. This was in
accord with the attitude of the de
legates who went to the convention
unpledged, and as Judge Wicker
sham expressed it to the Republican
Club of Nome, “to act wisely and
be ready to vote so as to bring Alas
ka the friendly support of the non
liic-pr- or tne convention.
A close study of political condi
tions thruout the country leaves but.
little doubt as to the final triumph
al election in November of the Re
publican nominees. This has been
particularly true since the states
manship and constructive ability of
Fr. Hoover was demonstrated thru
his remarkable and most gratifying
speech of acceptance. Senator Cur
tis has also clearly demonstrated
that he is truly Presidential timber,
by his analysis of Republian ac
complishments and future aims, as