Speech #630355048

The people of Alaska are a unit In opposition to Federal landlordistn over its mines. forests. and water power. " The doctrine that the Federal Government. 5.000 miles away. knows better what is good for Alaska than tle pioneers who have spent years within its boundaries is a political heresy that can not long stan(] before the enlightened sense of justice which characterizes the American people. If left to herself. Alaska would enact laws for Iar government anI development with the same Intelligence and regard for natural right that was shown by the early immigrants Into the lacilic and mountain States. of whom Justice Field said In a judicial opinion: " Wherever they went they carried with them that love of order and system and of fair dealing which are the prominent characteristics of our people. "And the Senator who introduced tie first mining law into Congress in 186f6. which was merely a Federal recognition of miners law. said that the miner had given the honest toll of his life to discover wealth which when found was protected by no higher law tlian that enacted by himself. under the implied sanction of a just and generous Government. " This just and generous Government has been succeeded by one that seeks to create a distant landlordism over Alaska. rhi policy if tontinued. will forever stunt the development of the Territory. Afen oirn under republican institutions will not long remain where they have to get permission of a Government agent to transact business. The garroting of Alaska by the last two national administrations has stopped its growth. decreased its population. and financially ruined many men who had not anticipated that the great National Government would make Alaska the dumping ground of eastern political fads." And upon that subject I wish to add that. in my opinion. a form of local salfgovernment at least as liberal as has ever been accorded the ploneers of any Territory is absolutely necessary to our proper and orderly development.