the matter was presented to the
court some years ago. There .s
reason in all things and the
tetter reasoning in this ease
would seem to indicate a special
session of the Territorial Legis -
lature so that a final deter
mination may be had, as to
whether the Legislative body
of Alaska, or whether a self
constituted law making body
shall be answerable to the people
of the Territory.
The controversy is not a
political controversy, other
wise we would leave the matter
to those directly concerned by
the withholding of money earn
ed to which it is possible some
legal remedy exists.
We urge the continuation of
the principle of representative
government as the only means
by which Alaska can be rightly
governed.—Seward Gateway.
About Time Public Took A Hand
According to authentic infor
mation from Juneau, school
warrants to the amount of 353,
999.30 have been held up by the
refusal of the Treasurer, under
sanction of the Governor, to
countersign the warrants.
Of these warrants two, aggre
gating $5,815.86, have been turn
ed down by the local bank be
cause of the absence of the sig
nature of the Treasurer, having
been issued by the Auditor, un
der what he claims are powers
given under the act creating his
office.
Available figures show that at
the time of issuance of these
warrants, there was a b lance in
the Treasury of $133,736.29
which is $430,305.00 less than
that shown on November 30.
1930. This loss is largely due to
increased expenditures, plus
some decreases in miscellaneous
tax receipts and a 20 per cent
decrease in fish pack taxes.
When informed of the state of
the Treasury, and appreciating
, its financial condition, the can
ners have sent in their taxes
three months in advance of the
time when they usually pay.
Tender this plan the Alaska
Packers’ Association paid $80,000.
and several small canners have
paid amounts which will bring
the total to approximately $100,
000. This aid will permit the
Territory to meet obligations
which otherwise could not have
been met with the $162,736.29
balance.
Thus Alaska ha« been placed
hi a position similar to that of
Chicago, whose school warrants
were issued, but for which theie
was no money, Alaska differing
in that it has money, but for
causes as yet not explained the
T: easurer and the Governor re
fuse to allow them to be paid.
Under such a condition but
ere resort is open to those who
ore entitled to this money—bor
row funds cn the strength of the
possible receipt of their due; or
await the pleasure of these offi
cials.
Possibly the Treasurer and
Governor can offer some satis
factory answer to this condition.
Tf so, it should be forthcoming.
The matter passes beyond a mere
difference of opinion between
the Auditor and his federally
controlled beard and becomes
that of the people.
It is to be hoped that it wilt
net be necessary, as hinted, for
someone to start lec°i proceed
ings against the Tieasurer to
bring the entire matter out in
the open.—Seward Gateway.
x- -
Territorial Bank
Balance Low
At the close of business on
November 30th the books of the
Te: r'-torial Auditor’s office show
ed a cash balance of $162,736.29
which is $400,30.5.66 less than
that shown on November 30,
1930. This loss is largely due to
increased expenditures, plus
some decreases in miscellaneous
tax receipts and a twenty per
cent reduction in fish pack taxes.
Some of the canners, appreci
ating the Territory’s financial
condition, have sent in their
taxes three months in advance
of when they usually pay. The
Alaska Packers Association has
paid $80,000, and several small
canners have paid amounts
which will bring the total to ap
proximately $100,000. This aid
will permit payment of Terri
torial obligations which other
wise could not have been met
with the $162,736.29 balance.
x
ALASKA ‘SLAYER’
ADJUDGED INSANE
Charles Christenson, a pros
pector found nearly dead from
exposure in the woods, who told
of having slain his partner, was
found insane at a hearing, held
at Nenana, recently The district
where they lived, en the Moose
River, is isolated, however, au
thorities said, that they have no *
funds to send a party there to
investigate the slaying. Other
prospectors are living near
where the two men had their
camp.
-x
Human life is a voyage in
which we can choose neither the
vessel nor the weather, although
much may be done in the man
agement of the sails and the
guidance of the helm. —Norman
McLeod.