Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-02-12
Consolidation and Government of the DIS
trict Of Columbia.


the measures now pending before Congress for
the consolidation and government of this Dis
tlct, Will perhaps afford a sufficient apology
Tor the request of the use of your columns 10
express some views on the subject
i Ee indications OF popular sentiment are
apparently in favor Of consolidation, and il is
obvious to the most careles observer that s-re-
construction of our local governments, and
the establishment of authority to admlnistef
IT'S affairs, is not only extremely desirable, but
Is absolutely necessary, TO give vitality 20 our
progress and Improvement, and TO develop the
resources within our reach and control.
The public interest manifested in the quas-
tiOn of the system of government which will,
in the event of a change, absorb the present di :
that the people are fully awake to the import
ance OF the subject, and TO the effect whc IA the
contemplated reconstruction will produce upon
the present and future of the District. The
plan OF the proposed government which, with
In few days past, has been prominently
brought before the public, appears to have occn-
pied the attention of a few citizens for several
months, and received definite shape IA The
sMetzerott Hall meeting last month The
principal feature of this plan is to abolis the
pre- sent elective franchise system and organize
government OF Commissioners, three of which
are TO be military men, appointed by the Prcji-
dent of the United States, or by Congress.
1t is argued in support OF this plan. that the
District Of Columbia, by the acts of cession
from Maryland and Virginia. belongs the
United States, and that Congress has the exclu-
siye right to govern IT; that this plan is best
snlted to our disfranchised condition in regard
TO national affairs, and that the excitement at
tending elections will be avoided. 1t is true
that the District of Columbia belongs to the
United States, and il is eQ ually that all the
territory OF the Union, outside of the bounda-
ries of the original thirteen States at the time OF
the adoption of the Constitution, and also all
that has since been acq uired, stands practically
III the same relation: but it will scarcely be
tended that Congress ever ssumed the power
or right to establish a permanent government
over any part of il, inconsistent with republi-
can institutions, or could do without coming
In direct conflict with the fundamental princi-
pies OF our whole political structure.
1t must be admitted, of course, thar the anal
CPy between the political relations of the Ter
1ltories and this District with Congress changes
when the Territories were or shall be organized
and admitted as States into the Union. but il is
manifest that the principle under which they
were both held as the property of the United
States remains the same: because the same or.
game law of the Republic, which grants to
congress exclusive jurisdiction over this Dis
trlct- guarantees 10 every State republican
form Df government. and should any of them
adopt syst TEN OF government which is not re-
publican, Congress is bound by the spirit, If
ho' BY the letter of that law, TO resume and sus-
tain Its authority until that guarantee shall
have been fulfilled. Now, if Congress has the
power and must exercise it to guarantee a re-
publican form of government to a people over
whom II has but partial jurisdiction, how much
more imperative is that obligation to provide
and defend a republican form of government
for the people OF this District, over whom il has
Exclusive jurisdiction b
am unwilling TO believe that il will De Sc
rously contended. and confident that il cannot
be successfully demonstrated, that the people
OF the United States, our fellow citizens, from
whom Congress derives its authority ever did.
OF 90 now intend, that the power over this
District, vested in that body, should be exer.
eised to establish, IN the metropolis of the coun-
Try, local government Giametrically opposed
TO the spirit and genius of our institutions The
disfranchiseme Mt of the people of the District
oi Coinm6a may or may not have been wisely
ordt red. q do not propose TO discuss that ques-
tIoD) but to deprive them Of all control over
th' IT local government. because they ha We not
voice i'll the selection of the national legis-
latlNe and executive authorities, is PROPOSE
ton which on its face il so unreas enable and
preposterOHs. that it requires no argument %
prove its injustice. 1t might be contended.
with "A logical sequence quite conclusive
thar. because n man has been deprived of his
property, therefore he should forfeit his life
also.
II the people are deprived of all control over
elections Will of course be avoided. but IN its
place VIII succeed the calm of despotism which
10 him who justly appreciates the right of man
TO s.manage his own affairs in his own way"
VIII be- more distressing than the most turbu.
lent expression OF party feeling. A govern
ment by commissioner would have for its
leading characteristic that strength and power
$50 lar az the people under Its control would BIZ
cOncerned,) which would enable il 10 admin
Efer affairs. without fearing that stubborn op-
position to wrong or what they conceive 10 be
people, and if that consideration is paramount
to all others that government by '.commis-
sioners' or any other irresponsible tyranny, is
certainly the most desirable.
Admitting, for the sake of argument. that all
the local advantages claimed for such gov.
ernment, the establishment of winch would re-.
duce the people of this District to condition
OF polltical yassalage. can be realized: then il
such great and manifold blessings are to flow
fIom Its admin istration, why should we alone
be selected to enjoy them; why should not all
a fnA- nh ff~
10 participate in the advantages of this great
modern Improvement i'll free institution: why
should not all, either by national or State au-
Doflty, he governed by =. Commissioners ~
Nay, why not at a blow dissolve the Republic
ana erect an oligarchy upon its ruins
This plan. MIR. Editor, is entirely at variance
with our system Of government; il is unwor-
my The serious consideration OF the representa-
iiyes OF Tree people, ii strike, at the very root
OF popular liberty: ITS adoption might be the
initial point OF lever which. ginning strength
by time and usage. wonid eventually overturn
and destroy our whole political organiZafi IN.
now the wonder and admiration of the world.
then moo kerry and by-word. Itmght do very
Well ior Paris, Vienna or st. Petprburc. but
even in those cities, the political centres of des-
potisln the people have, 10 some extent. the
poor privilege of choosing their local aUthori-
ines; and TO attempt TO deprive the people of
this District CHE capital of the great exeinplar
OF popular goyernment,) Of th. inalienable,
lnsstimab Bile right to S'manage their own affairs
in the III own way" Will be a virtual acknowI-
rcSem ment that free government has proved a
ia lure; an admission which / am 10th TO be-
Heye the warmest advocate of this proposed
CIVIC military oiigalchy VIII be willing 10
make.
WhaIeyrr changes in our government Con-
grass- IN the eNercise of its power. nav ordain.
L have sufficient faith in its wisdom and deVo.
lion TO the great principle which uIderlies our
whole system, 10 believe ;hat the people will be
left in full possession and control of their rights
rs American citizens: that the eleci We franchise
will be- fully recognised, and the privilege 10
choose their own local authorities fully ac-
corded. The details of the government. Its Off
GERS, their number, dnties and power. is a mat
ter ef comparative little importance. N
WASHINGTON, Feb. I. IS6,.
\ HEALTP OF ENGLIsHW oRKMEN.-Th British
Medical Journal says English workmen wear
ont too soon and die too early. " has begun a
series Of reports on the preventable diseases Of
the industrial classes founded on inquiries
directed more especially 10 those trad s in
which the diseases Of the workmen can BE-
traced directly 10 his work-diseases winch can
he prevented altogether in some instances, and
considerably diminished in their force and fre-
Qnency in others. EfForts will also be made to
trace the IL jures to health arising from general
causes, 10 W hich some workmen are subjected
during work hours.
~ One of the electioneering devices of the
Pendletonians is an enormous greenback, about
the sixe of a circus poster. having OIL one side
picture OF George II, r.. and on the other,
number Of interrOgatories, asking whether, il