The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-12-06
Impartial Suffrage In Dc Distzset Of Cs-
e lumbia.

r lumbia.
In the House Of Representatives ON Tuesday
Mr.. Darling, ofNew York, introduced bill for
the election of a delegate to Congress for the
District Of Columbia. The BILL which was
read twice and referred to the Committee for
the District provides that all male persons
twenty-one years old, citizens Of the United
States and resident one year in the District,
shall vote at the election.
Ce nest que le premier pas q,i cotts, and this Is
the first step towards impartial suffrage. There
is no telling to wha. remote consequences 1t may
lead in the progressive future. 1t is eminently
at and proper as well as perfectly fair and
constitutional that this step should be taken
first in the District of Columbia; for there
can arise no dispute as to the exclusive juris-
diction which, according to the express terms
of the constitution, Congress possesses over
this tract of territory. Here, under the direct
eye and hand Of Congress, and also under the
most favorable conditions, the experiment can
be Immediately, fully and fairly tried Of uni
versal suffrage and Of the territorial jurisdic-
ton which so many Congressman seem eager
to extend over the lately insurgent States.
The claims of the District of Columbia to the
territorial right Of representation by dele
gate in the lower house are, to say the
least, equal to those of any other terri
tory. In numbers and wealth and direct
interest in the national welfare It's population
might assert precedence over many more
vast, but comparatively unpeopled tract
which has nevertheless been raised to the dig
nifty and privileges of representation in Con-
gress And the impulse which such political
elevation could not fail to give the inhabitants
Of the District along every line of their adj
vancing prosperity would be felt not onlv
/ theFs, hut throughout the Up;ca. wassingsisos1,
itself would become more truly metropolitan
than ever-a city not only of magnificent dis
tances, but Of magnificent advantages Of every
kinda desirable permanent residence for
clti gems from all parts Of The country. The
native born citizen of the District would no
longer feel condemned, as 1t were, to an infe-
rior political status, his pride in his birth place
would be stimulated and he would gaze with
new exultation at the dome of the Capitol
when he and his fellow-citizens should be rep
resented in Congress by delegate Of their
own election.
Besides the political benefits which would
accrue to the District from the bill proposed
by Mr.. Darling, other lnestimable social and
material benefits would be added. The recent
rapid growth Of population would increase,
the rising value Of real estate would be en-
HANGED, public and private buildings would be
multiplied, the influence of the colleges at
Washington and Georgetown would be quick.
ened and new churches and school houses
would be erected. The great progress which
has been made since 1857, when only about
one half of the white children in the District
were receiving school education, would be ac-
celebrated and the experiment Of educating col
ored children might be tried on scale Of ma
tional importance. Finally, when the District
of Columbia shall have delegate Of its own
in Congress, Senator Sumner may be relieved
Ito the relief of not a few citizens of the Dis
tricD from his seleappointed task Of acting
as a volunteer delegate in Its behalf Perhaps
he will then have more time to attend to his
own constituents In Massachusetts,.