The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-02-26

view before those who took the trouble to read it FER
bum sat. j.
For the Union.
The Right Of Suffrage In Washington
The charter Of the city of Washington expired by
limitation the l4th OF May, 1910 its corporate exist,
ence however, continued according the OF
the charter, until further legislation had by Congress
upon the subject.
In anticipation OF such legislation, movement was
made early in the year 1910, having for lis object ex.
tension OF the right Of suffrage every free
white male citizen the enjoyment of that inestimabe
right
A, the first session OF the twenty Congress which
commenced in December, 1889, petitions presented
10 the United States Senate from the Democratic Assoca
ton, and from numerous citizens of Washington asking
for notification OF the city charter, with view to the
removal OF the property qualification then existing as
prerequisite to the right of voting. These memorials
were presented by Mr.. Allen of Ohio, Mr.. Clay of Ala
bana and Mr. Norvell OF Michigan, and were referred
select committee of senator's consisting of Messrs
Norell, King Prentiss Pierce, and Clay Of Alabama.
On the 25h of june $780, the select committee reported
ah (373 TO amend and continue in force the charter OF
The city OF Washington The provisions Of this bill
ofthe most liberal character with the spirit
Of our free institutions, and with democratic sentiment
everywhere II is not ventung much say that If il
had received the form and force Of legislative enactment,
the prosperity and greatness OF city would
have reached greater degree OF development than they
have done spite of the anlirepubcan character of the
present charter Unfortunately, however, such
the case The bill taken up in the Senate, and or.
deted TO be engrossed the nth OF July, $780, by
vote Of IS yeas to 10 nays. On the next day, when
upon the point OF passage discovered in the
bill which proved fatal 10 it, In the process OF anscri-
bng engrossing, provision for the punishment of
slaves in case of rotous disorderly conduct had been
left out The friends Of the bill in vain endeavored 10
have the defect remedied in the Senate as this could only
be done by unanimous Consent They were therefore
compelled, only two days OF the session remained
lay II upon the table.
may be advisable, as the subject will likely soon be
brought again before Congress, to note the qualifications
deemed necessary, by the able composing the select
committee above named for the exercise OF the right OF
suffrage They follows;
"sso. Aad BE- IL farther enacted. That every free
white male citizen OF the United States who shall have at
tanned the Of twcn-one years, and shall have resided
IN the city Of Washington one year immediately preceding
,he election shall be entitled 70 vote for mayor, members
the peace and constables and Tor every other officer
Be opsn snds &
oath OF affirmation, as to the citizenship and residence
made to the reception Of vote, be deemed and taken
tons"
At the I'd session OF the goth Congress Mr. Norve in
oduced bill similar TO the lost at the preceding
session, with proper provisions Tor the punishment Of
slaves. The bill met with an unfortunate reference
Il went to the Committee on the District OF Coum-
ba- They reported back Norvell's BILL with an
amendment striking out all after the enaetiRg clause,
and inserting bill OF the most illibeR character,
nclIng The right OF suffrage by polltax registry. &c.
No further action had upon the subjec, al that
son During the entire period OF the 27ih Congress, the
wings having control OF both branches, nothing done
except that bill for continuing in force the city charter
was offered BY Sias Wright in the Senate, which, all
may know from the republican character OF that de.
parted statesman, liberal regard TO the dear
est and NEST popular Of all rights-he right of suffrage.
The Isl session OF the 2sh Congress opened with a
large democratic majority in the House of Represent
ahves MI Weller, OF Ohio, introduced liberal bill
io continuing the city charter, which passed the House
Sa large majority, and sent TO the Senate, where
Iahed-ihal body being still wing. The result
onoweo az be 10Th Congress- bill introduced by Mr..
Vhe, OF Alabama, having passed the House by large
majority which failed in the Senate.
nei ssh years oil bard struggling between the friends
and the resctionists the contest was brough,
close IN manner unfavorable TO the aspirations OF
- ioImer The House Of Representatives, at the open
NJ W we SOlh Congress- contained wing majority.
~ nh.hTop was elected Speaker and Mr.. Chapman,
maryland, was appointed chairman OF the District
Oom'uee The restricionsls lost no time in avail
~ themselves OF the advantage which this state OF
AFFORDED BY tact, perseverance, and superior in
lhey triumphed, and the result Of that triumph is
:. 0uaf'er OF The city as il at present exists.
according 10 its TERMS no citizen OF proper age and
s,'ef can vote who shall not have prepaid property
Pou aE or both, and who, in addition shall not have
registered at least five months anterior the regu-
municipal election. Three years experience under
~ system has satisfied many Of It's injustice and OPP
Neness. 1t has operated practically to deprive hun.
~, o oar citizens OF their right TO vote. Similar re.
nave attended restrictions OF like character where.
~ mey have been attempted but in no case have they
Tsed more unlusuy and partially than here
ue very idea OF freenen being compelled to register
nseives before being allowed to exercise the right
outrage isso odious and metropolitan that the mind
uaai It, system OF registry, such as now exists
~ mus, necessarily operate njuriously because il
' every voter within the power OF ward as
of II he either negligently or maliciously fails TO
~ me name Of the voter on the record, the voter is
rNed Of his right How easily might election be
0S0GGolled in this way
"ao. Propose, however, TO enter into general re-
y hs registry systsm !" II exists here, nor will ]