Evening star., 1870-02-05
Rows I'm Bl ne.

In accordance with an order issued by A.
Grant, meeti-r:: Of the officers Of the Boys in
Blue vas held last night at Union Leas2e Hau'
to discuss the proposed change of governmentin In
the District of Columbia. The meeting was
largely attended, and good order was maintained
throughout. A. Grant presided and ". 5.
Fletcher acted as Secretary. After prayer by
CHAPLAIN j. III. Green, j. b. Cramer, chairman
OF the committee to obtain speakers read let
tiers from several gentlemen who had been
Hon. wm Ii. Stokes and another from Gen b.
r. WhitmoTe, regretting their inability to be
present. Col. Cramer offered q resolution for
the appointment Of committee of five to draft
resolutions in favor of the proposed territorial
form Of government. and to extend another in
yitation TO the Hon. w. b. Stokes to address the
Bows in Blue.
A. Watson asked what are the features pro-
posed in this change OF government which
makes this subject so alluring TO the people. He
should like to be informed. Was it simply to
adopt government similar to the Territories
OF the West? 1t was a question in mis- mind
whether Congress has the power to pass all act
giving mp the authority over this District.
change was needed, the affairs OF our city are
ia a hopeless muddle, and are constantly grow
ing worse. A consolidation ought to be made,
preserving the municipal form of gOvcTnmc Mt,
however. giving the fullest power to iegislating
fer the District, thereby saving the delays now
experienced.
W. II. Huestis remarked that by the passing
of the bill now before Congress, things could be
for this District, as near State government as
possible, with a governor and legislature, Con-
gress retaining power to restrict legislation
when not good for the interests of the people.
A delegate in Congress should be given us, and
the right to vote for President. He desired laws
here that would invite capital here to beautify
and improve the city. He was in favor of the
II resolutions, and of having the committee APP
rointed at once. He woUil not fight Sayles j.
4 Bowen, for he considt red him too mean to
touch. According to his own statement he had
ker an of rhp iafP nv last
Congress for the poor, and It would no doubt be
spent in the camraign coming this spring to re-
elect himself.
r. \. Fowler then addressed the meeting.
The people were talking about matters they did
not seem TO understand; many were deceived on
these matters, and he thought it time they were
informing themselves. There was a new bill i'm
course of preparation that he thought would
give entire satisfaction. The persons opposed to
any change were the contractors and place men
under the Corporation. This could be seen at
the Lincoln Hall meeting.
A. Grant addressed the meeting, saving it was
true the people were deceived by office holders
and contractors who were declaring the change
unconstitutional. Mr.. Cook denounced all who
were in favor OF a change as rebels and seceders.
1t was a question for the people, and not for the
Corporation place men to decide. Cook said
that A. Grant had never registered or voted in
Washington. Cook was the man who register ed
his (G.'s) name on the books OF registra alton him
voted he lied, and lie knew it when he
lied. and he wished the reporters to put
that down. lLauchter.I Such men as Cook
were the men who dared not come out until
they saw which was going to be the pop
ular side of question. Cook had never
paid dollar of taxes in his life until he had got
fastened on TO the corporation, but he would
put him down and take up the Ward Commits
siOners. The first man appointed by Bowen
was a rebel, and one who had served in the rebel
army; others were Andrew johnson men. All
these men cared fort was to keep their places,
they cared nothing about the manufacturing in
terests or city improvements, their object being
to put the corporation money into their own
pockets. tVoices-sThat's so.'l lie then dwelt
on the advantages that would ensue to the
masses il this change takes place. He believed
il would come about when it was definitely de-
cided by the people that the change was desira-
BILE, as members OF the District Committee be-
fore Congress had promised to recommend it.
He closed by urging the Bows In Blue to unite
on this till now before Congress, and when it
Office, and turn out all the Bowen time servers
Rev. J. W. Green said that he at first opposed
the change, as he thought it was a dodge to
abridge the franchise, but he had learned better
and he heartily favored il now. IApplausel
The franchise would be extended 10 our breth-
ren IN the county, who had no vote now. Bowen
had at first favored the bill, until he found the
Offices were to be elective, and he now opposes
any change, well knowing the people wouid not
be guilty of retaining him in power longer. The
nlissioners, Corporation Attorney Cook strikers
scavengers, and place men generally, which
was OF itself recommendation that the bill
but their places. lApplause.l These men will
put the cOlOred man on their back Just before
the election, and after it is over they become
suddenly stiff and distant. He warned the col
ored men not to be deceived by them any longer
lApplause.J
Nm. III. Brown next spoke, favoriny the ap-
pointmeat of the Committee on Resolutions
The vote was then taken the adoption of
the resolution; which was passed, and the fol-
lowing committee was chosen :-Messrs. j. B.
CTame1 {. Il. Fisher, W. III. Brown, A. Watson
and Rev. j. W. Greene.
W. >. Fletcher then offered resolution for
the appointment of a committee to act in con
cert with the committee OF one hundred citizens
appointed by the meeting at Lincoln Hall To
urge the passage Of the territorial bill before
Congress; which was adopted, and the follow
ing were chosen First Ward. Col. a. NJ Blond;
Second Ward. X. B. Turner; Third Ward, j. r.
Tunnio; Fifth Ward, W. S. Fletcher: Sixth
Ward, e. NJ. Boston; Seventh Ward, II. II. FOy-
Ter; Georgetown, B. Tucker; Uniontown, j. 5.
Young.
The committee were notified to meet tonight
Saturday. at No. 315 T. street, to Lsake ar
rangements to meet the committee of one hum
dred. Adjourned.
BUILDING AssOCIATIoNs.-Att the sixty-fifYh
monthly meeting of the Excelsior Building As
sociatiOn, Thursday evening, q shares were sold