(OFFICIAL PAPER)
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James B. Wingate, Editor and Manager j
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 1905.
FEDERAL GRAND JURY
ENTERS POLITICAL ARENA
The recent action of the Federal
Grand Jury at Fairbanks in endorsing
Judge Wickersham for appointment as
resident judge of the District court, is
a peculiar political movement. Nothing
Btrange or irregular for them to have
endorsed the action of the Bar associa
tion in the effort to have congress
grant a resident judge; but for an im
partial, disinterested Federal Grand
Jury to enter the political arena and
campaign for a particular candidate, es
pecially one against whom serious char
ges have been filed, is certainly a very
unusual proceeding. Such action might
lead those not informed in political
manipulations to believe that the grand
jury had investigated the existing
charges of graft and corruption, filed
against Judge Wickersham, and found
them to be untrue.
No doubt it was intended to - create
such an impression when such action
was taken and telegraphed outside. It
seems so unreasonable for a Federal
grand jury to ask for the appointment
Judge Wickersham without first clear
ing away the serious charges which are
standing against him. Judge Day did
the very same thing and made matters
worse for Wickersham. If that grand
jury made an investigation as to the
merits dr'demeritc of such charges, it
was a “star chamber” proceeding, and
the same ..preconcerted mode of pro-;
ceedure as that adopted by “Investiga
tor” Day. We know the facts pertain
ing to the charges emanating from thfa
ptecinct were not before the grand jury
at Fairbanks.
The Grand Jury did not visit Rampart
which it should do if it desired to in
vestigate the management of official
affairs at Rampart court center, nor
has any official notice been posted at
Rampart that a grand jury had been
called to meet at Fairbanks. If unre
stricted access be given to the officials'
books of Idle Rampart precinct, togeth
er with those of the Third division, and
other evidence in existence, the charg
es against Judge Wickersham and oth
er federal officials can be fully sustain
ed.
This matter now being in the - hands
of the Senate, and all evidence pertain
ing thereto subject to the order of that
tribunal, any political moves made by
the accused officials, whether through
grand juries or otherwise, will in no
way lessen the evidence against them.
If it requires more evidence to sub
stantiate the charges, than is already
filed with the Senate committee, let the
proper official be sent to Rampart and
an abundance of facts will be forthcom
ing. Political power should be taken
from the district judges, and Judge
Wickersham’s name be dropped from
the roll of honor.
WHERE PRESENT SYSTEM
IS ROTTENLY CORRUPT
Congressman lacey having with
drawn his opposition, it is now an as
sured fact that the Third division will
be divided, and thereby will permit of
a judge to remain in the Yukon district
the entire year. Mr. Lacey’s argument
that “all the political power should be
taken away from the District judges of
Alaska, thereby relieving them of po
litical appointments,’’ is well taken and
wilt no doubt receive attention from
Congress. The present system is bad,
wherein it grants the District jndges
the power to appoint the judges of the
lower courts, while appeals from the
lower courts must be to the District
court, the judge of which is the appoin
tive power. - •
If criminal or civil action is brought
against the commissioner, for illegal
official acts, the tribunal before which
action must be brought is the District
court, the judge of which appointed the
commissioner. The abuse of this sys
tem, and the shielding of the appointee
by the appointive power, has been fully
demonstrated in this precinct by Judge
Wickersham’s protection of his corrupt
appointee and henchman, Commission
*
er.J. Lindley Green. Whenever an of
ficial, vested with appointive power,
refuses to recognize charges of incom
petency and corruption against an ap
pointee, as dce3 Judge Wickersham,
then that official becomes incompetent
to administer the appointive functions
of his office, and he should be removed
forthwith.
Mr. Lacey says that the District
judge might object to being deprived
of his political power. No doubt but
that Judge Wickersham would. Much
rather would he be a “grand duke'*
than a plain District judge. Were he
permitted to retain his position he could
be depended upon to oppose all legisla
tive measures tending to deprive him
of emoluments derived from the power
to manipulate the granting of business
licenses, the exclusive handling and the
disbursement of all moneys collected,
and the appointing of subordinate offic
ials. The people have lost confidence
in him and his usefulness is impaired.