By Patricia Oakes
With the privilege and right of statehood loom
ing before Alaska in the immediate future, Alas
kans must take increasing interest in the govern
mental aspects of their future to shoulder the re
sponsibiltities which go with statehood,
A study of Alaska’s future government is an
immediate must for Alaskans, The citizen who
refuses to take upon himself this responsibility
certainly has no privilege to complain about the
turn of events in the future.
To help Alaskans better understand the changes
in government which will come with statehood,
this six-article series is being written. Although
all aspects of the new government under the Con
stitution of the State of Alaska cannot be covered
in six articles, many of the important phases will
be explained.
Transitional measures and the elections which
will soon be upon Alaska will be discussed in this
first article. Later articles will include: the exec
utive branch, the legislature, the judiciary branch
and other phases of government, local govern
ments, and a summary of the work facing the
coming legislature.
Transitional Government
Many people have the impression that transition
from territorial to state government will be
chaotic. There is no reason to expect chaos, how
ever, as the Constitution provides amply for the
transition period. Territorial laws will remain
in force until they expire by then* own limitations,
are amended, or repealed It is entirely possible
that it will be five-ten years before all laws are
rewritten in form for the state government, How
ever, during that time, the branches of govern
ment will continue to run under the present set-up.
In all probability, the first legislature will not
attempt to re write all existing laws, but will
allow the legislative council time to re-codify and
re-write the laws in a studied and efficient man
ner,
First Legislature
Since mere is no time limit on me iirsi legis
lature, which must be called within 30 days after
the presidential proclaimation that Alaska is offi
cially a state of the Union—unless a regular ses
sion is scheduled within that time, the gathering
will have time to set up such important new de
partments as the judicial department before turn
ing their task to legal recodification.
Sixty Members
The first state legislature will be composed of
40 representatives and 20 senators. The first elec
tion will be held under the rules provided in the
-Constitution and applicable territorial laws. Thus,
the election districts of the State of Alaska will
be used.
Election Districts
For election purposes, Alaska is divided into
three types of districts. The first type is the re
presentative district, 24 in number from which
one to eight representatives will be elected accord
ing to population.
The representative districts are coupled to form
12 senatorial districts, with one senator elected
from each.
The final type of election district is the large
district from which two senators-at-large are
elected. There are four of these districts; North
western, Central, South Central and Southeastern.
These appear roughly to co-incide with the pres
ent judicial divisions. Actually, they are composed
of combined representative districts.
Over-all Representation
There are advantages in the new system of the
election districts. Areas which never before had
representation will, because of the geographical
nature of the districts, send men and women to
legislature. Population centers will not have the
grasping vote control they have had under terri
torial status, allowing all of Alaska to be repre
sented. Various economic interests, professions and
areas will have a voice in the government.
One of the duties of the first legislature will be
to set up procedures for registration in future pri
mary and general elections.
Establishment of Boroughs
Contrary to popular belief, the election districts
of the new state are not the well-publicized bor
oughs which will be set up as the intermediate
unit between state and local government. Estab
lishment of the boroughs will take time, as the
manner and standards by which they will be set
up must be determined by the legislature, Such
factors as population, geography, economy and
transportation will be considered in setting up
these organized and unorganized intermediate
units into which the state must be divided. The
legislature will prescribe the powers and functions
of boroughs, methods of organization, incorpora
tion, etc.
It is entirely possible that some boroughs will
follow existing city limit lines or independent
school district lines. Others, in less populated
areas, may be very large until such time as
re-organization is necessary.
Dufy of Citizens
Because the future well-being of the State of
Alaska depends in great part upon the action of
the first legislature, one cannot urge too strongly
that each and every citizen of Alaska carefully
consider the candidates in the coming primary
and general elections. It is the duty of Alaskans
to elect the most skillful, highly qualified people
from their election districts to represent them at
the first legislature.
Voting Qualifications
The new Constitution provides that every citizen
of the United States, nineteen and over, who meets
registration requiremnts (which will be clarified
soon) may vote provided he meets the following
qualifications:
He shall have been a resident of Alaska for one
year and a resident of his election district for
thirty days proceeding the election.
He shall be able to read or speak the English
language unless prevented by physical disability.
Citizens who legally voted in the November 4,
1924, general election and meet resident require
ments for voting shall also be entitled to vote.
19-Year-Old Vole
In allowing the vote of 19- and 20-year old
citizens, the makers of the Constitution have
recognized the youthful character of Alaska’s
population and its importance to the future
strength of Alaska.
It is expected that the 19- and 20-year olds
will take full advantage of this right. Alaska,
Georgia and Kentucky are the only states granting
this privilege.
Power of the People
Although it has been said that the true power
of the new state will be the governor, a reading
of the constitution will convince most that the
real power in the new state is “the law” or the
legislature composed of elected representatives
of the people. The system of governmental checks
and balances is carefully established in the Con-N
stitution whereby the power actually does rest
in the people of Alaska if they have the interest
in their government to accept that power.
Next week we will discuss the executive branch
of the government its powers and its limitations.
Editor's note: The above article is the first in a
series of six public service articles which are
being prepared and released for publication by
Miss Patricia Oakes of Fairbanks and printed in
The Frontiersman. They are designed to help
Alaska's citizens better understand the change from
territorial to state government. Miss Oakes pre
sently teaches English, journalism and Alaska his
tory at Fairbanks high scnool. The articles are
being written in place of a oraduate research
paper for a course in Alaska historv at the Uni
versity ot Alaska. Dr. Donald R. Molberg, head of
the department of history and political science,
will check the articles for factual accuracy and
correctness of interpretation.
YBMmUf* fflCXTBOC'DC yCOICn CAD DAD
ipjllllllltl 111 it life ft S PftfcOfcll ■ UK (jaAtl •
Mrs. Margaret Betts this week
announced she will be unable to
continue as training officer of
the Palmer CAP Cadet Squadron.
It will be necessary, she point
ed out, to secure the help of two
adults sometime before Septem
ber so that the CAP Cadet pro
gram may continue without in
terrupt ion. This fall there will be
two groups; one in the advanced
study, ready to start their third
j book in September, and a group
of beginners, starting phase one,
I the orientation period in which
i the history of CAP and flight are
learned.
Any adult, male or female, j
interested in working with Cadets
is asked to contact Mrs, Betts
Instructors guides and work
books are available and Mrs.
Betts has offered to assist re
placements in any way possible. 1
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Phone Pi-4260 — Palmer
She pointed out that the Cadet
program is all set up, .there will
be no ground work necssary. The
meeting places have been secured
PARTIES ARE ABLOOM
WITH FLOWER
POT SANDWICHES
Planning a party? For summer
time gatherings, no refreshments
can compare with trays of sand
wiches and a choice of beverages.
Just made for summer days are
these pretty flower pot sandwich
es abloom with strawberry tulips
on a layer of pineapple cheese, or,
radish roses top a deviled egg
spread.
Although tiny sandwiches take
time to prepare they can be made
in advance, except for the final
garnishes, if they are refrigerat
ed. While stored, the sandwiches
should be covered lightly with a
moisture-resistant material, such
as saran or a metal foil may be
wrapped around the entire tray
of open-faced varieties. This will
prevent drying of bread and fill
ings.
Deviled Egg Flowerpots
8 hard-cooked egg yolks
1 cup mayonnaise or salad
dressing
2 teaspoons vinegar
2 teaspoons Worcestershire
sauce
2 teaspoons prepared mustard
1 teaspoon grated onion
Dash of salt
8 (1-inch) thick slices bread
32 small radish roses
32 small parsley leaves
10 make tilling: Mash egg
yolks add mayonnaise, vinegar,
Worcestershire sauce, mustard,
onion and salt. With a 1 ti-ineh
cookie cutter, cut out 4 circles
from each slice of bread, Hol
low out part of the center of each
bread circle with scissors. Fill
center of each bread circle with
1 ]i» teaspoons deviled egg filling.
Garnish top of each flowerpot
with a radish rose and a parsley
leaf.
Yield: 32 Deviled Egg Flower
pots.
Pineapple Cheese Flower Pots
1 (3 ounce) package cream
cheese
' cup drained, crushed pineap
ple
6 (1-inch) thick slices bread
24 fresh strawberries
24 small parsley leaves
To make filling: Combine
cream cheese and pineapple He- j
move crusts from bread and cut
each slice into 4 equal squares.
Hollow out part of the center of
each bread square with scissors.
Fill center and top of each bread
square with 1G teaspoons pine
apple-cheese filling. Make cross
wise cuts in the pointed top of
each strawberry and spread them
open like flowers. Garnish top of
each flowerpot with a strawberry
flower and a parsley leaf.
Yield: 24 Pineapple Cheese
Flowerpots
and in addition, she pointed out,
the Cadets in the advanced group
will be able to offer assistance
in the programs.
TAXES ARE DELINQUENT AUGUST 2
Hrsi half 1958 property taxes for City of Palmer and
I aimer School District must be paid or postmarked on
or before 5 P.M. August 1, 1958 to avoid penalty and
interest
a he entire bill becomes delinquent if the first half is
not paid on time
Bring or mail tax bills and payment to Tax Assessor,
Box 175? Palmer, located over the bank. Please make
separate checks for City and School District bills.
n
NOTICE CF TAX LIEN FORECLOSURE,
CITY OF PALMER
fake notice that the foreclosure list for 1958 of delinquent
real property taxes in the City of Palmer for 1957 and prior
tax years has been completed and is open for inspection at
the office of the Tax Assessor.
lake further notice that on September 18, 195JL said list
will be presented to District Court of the Third Divl^ij® for
Judgement and order of sale, and that on said date, pubhca
lion of the roll together with penalty, interest, and costs shall
commence.
Take further notice that only when all delinquent taxes
penaliys and interest as shown on said foreclosure list are
paid in full on or before September II, 1958 will a parcel be
removed from the foreclosure list presented in District Court.
After said date, the pro rata cost of publication and fore
closure must be paid in addition to the tax, penalty and interest
and the property will not be stricken from the published roll.
Fake further notice that on a date not less than 30 days
after filing the foreclosure list in Court, the court shall make
Judgement on said list and may order the properties sold
to the City of Palmer. From that date and for one year there
after the various properties may be redeemed, and after one
year has elapsed the clerk of the court shall issue deeds
direct to the City, on the various properties not redeemed.
/s/ SMILIE ST. PIERRE
CITY CLERK, CITY OF PALMER
/s/ WM. WAKELAND
^ , T TAX ASSESSOR-COLLECTOR
Published July 24-^nd 31, 1958
rA I
A big power plant on Fort
Richardson, no longer needed by
the government, is offered for
sale to the highest bidder togeth
er with installed property. Seal
ed competitive bids will be pub
licly opened August 22, at 11
a.m. by the Real Estate Division
of the U. S. Army Engineer Dis
trict, Alaska, in the Anchors
office? on Elmendorf AFB.
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