Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-05-29

ing the former; and, whether natlVe or nalur-
allied, they are not identified permanently
with theNcity Of Washington, very few of them
anything more than temporary residents Here
they are at the will of their employers, liable
to be turned off the public works at any mo-
ment and, under the new and little example
set by the last Administration, have been
turned off by hundreds simply because of
their political associations. That vote amounts,
l suppose, to considerable more than thou
sand men. We have, therefore, in this city,
whore the largest vote ever cast was about
six thousand, from fifteen hundred to two
thousand men who are only temporary and
passing residents, having no permanent and
abiding interest in the city, dependent upon
the executive authority, liable to have their
bread taken away from them if they see fit to
vote therwise than they are directed to vote,
or MS may be pleasing to those in authority.
II is that vote which determined the last cleo
ton, and which may determine the coming one
if the majority should be within five hundred
votes. .....
| 1t is, therefore, not the bona tide, the per-
manent residents of the city of Washington;
1t is not those who keep house here; not those
who pay the mass of the taxes; nor those
laborers who live here and expect to live here
permanently; it is not the great body of the
honest mechanics resident with their families,
such as justly sway the government Of Balti-
more or Louisville; not those who are born
here, and who expect to live here until they
| die; II is not those who constitute the real
bona tide citizens Of Washington that, under
this bill, are to be allowed to control the des
TIMES of the city of Washington. 1t is not
material whether the temporary residents here
are native or foreign. 1t is enough for me that
thy are temporary, that they are here at the
will of the executive power, and are not per-
sons whose interests are permanently connected
with the government they are deciding. We
must broadly distinguish between the city of
Washington and every other city in the United
Stats. There are, sir, few cities in the west
ern country where the foreign born population
voting porti'n ofit-outnumbcrs the native
population. That presents an anomalous and
dangerous condition Of affairs but it is less
dangerous and anomalous than that which ex-
lists here in the city of Washington, where
comes from all portions Of the world, living
here at the win Of the tempora Government,
are vested with power to control the destinies
OF those here permanently; whose property is
to be taxed; whose industry is to be burdened;
whose lives are to be protected; whose COM
forts are to be determined who are here to-
day and may be away tomorrow; who do not
expect to be here more than three years, an 4 who
possibly may leave much sooner. Those, there
fore, who have no permanent or abiding interest
in the city, are actually elccting the officers Of
the city.
Now, ask candid gentlemen, upon all sides
Of the House, to consider with me for one mo-
ment this state Of things, in the creation and
organization Of the city government, in con-
nection with the state of things which they
were trying to remedy by the police bill, only
few weeks ago. | ask candid gentlemen
whether they have not the explanation before
trem3 Is not that a completea and adequate ex-
| PLANTATION Of the condition of the city govern
mcnt? lfso, this bill goes, sir, to the founda-
ton Of the city government and gives us an
opportunity to apply an efficient remedy.
| Now, sir let Us see how it has worked here
tofore. The present Mayor of the city was, I
think, elected by majority of about twenty
six totes. Well, everybody sees at once that
twas the floating, temporary Government vote
which elected him. Is he proper, response
bic, hon st, and efficient man for the admins
tration Of the affairs of this city? Will any
gentleman say, in view Of the deplorable con-
dtion Of the police Of the city, as gentlemen on
the other side Of the House represented il here,
and represented it truly, only few weeks ago,
that they believe the person charged with the
administration Of the city government is fit to
he where he is, and where the same men would
wish to continue him; and if he be not fit,
ask il he was not elected in the manner that
have indicated. do not wish to say one word
about his politics, on one side or the other.
am endcavoring to get at the root of the evil
Mr.. G0ODE Thepresent Mayor was elected,
believe, under the provisions Of bill intro
duced and carried through by the gentleman
from Kentucky.
Mr.. DAVIS, Of Maryland. l think my friend
} is mistaken. never introduced and carried
through the bill, and my impression is that
voted against it.
Mr. GO0DE. The gentleman from Ken
T lucky, think, introduced the bill
Mr. DAVIS, Of Maryland No, sir; the bill
was introduced by the gentleman from Illinois,
Mr.. HAERrs,l and know that was strenu-
ously opposed to the bill he introduced.
Mr.. Go0DE. The bill was amended, on
motion Of the gentleman from Kentucky, MR.
MARSHALL so as to exclude naturalized citi-
!, zens and minors, and under that provision this
Mayor was elected.
Mr.. DAVIS OF Maryland. Ny impression
is, sir, that voted against the bill as ntroduc.
ed. know that | tried to make it as good as
, it could be made, and | know that failed in
the form in which it was reported.
Mr.. HILL. think it was a better bill thar
the one now proposed. .. ..... .-.-.
a Mr.. DAVIS, Of Maryland. Well we tried t.