Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-01-17

which vould reouire the expena.9re Of several
hundred thousand dollars, and the money was
appropriated by our city. After the erection OF
the foundation, at an expense OF several thous-
and dollars, Congress suddenly realized the fact
that that old whitev ashed landmark and guile.
post for meandering representatives was about
TO disappear. and a permanent structure erected
in its place. Congressional wrath was aroused
a portion OF sentiment domain was about 20 be
occupied by the citizens Of the National Capt.
from the Cones of 81. f.nj,"s $500, TS.
ordea,s of general legisl ltion wle Immediately
stopped and n matter relating 20 the District of
Columbia received the time and attention OF
Congress. Was IL matter for the welfare OF
our people that passed 80 promptly? Let the
following letter speak for itself:
HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVE,
WASHINGTON, ID. C., June y, 1896.
Hon. J. n. Csher, Secretary Of TIE TEterior-
SIR The House unanimously passed a joint
resolution this morning authorizing you, among
other things, to prevent the erection OF aay per
manent building upon any square or reservation
in this city.
II was intended to hit the case OF the market
building now going mp on Pennsylvania avenue
hope you win give them notice to stop imme-
tliately. Very respectfully,
JOHN Ii. STEELE,
Chairman District Committee, II. r.
Fellow-citizens Ii is the neglect ami indf-
ference on the part of Congress towards our APP
peals for proper legislation, which arouses the
Just indignation OF our people. We ask no aid
from the Government, but we demand Justice.
[Cheers.l 1 think 1 have said enough 10 con-
vince the committee TO be appointed 10 urge the
passage of the Exhibition bill that We have
some foundation on which to base our demand.
We ASK for no money TO aid us i'm this measure.
yet Is an enterprise of the greatest national i'm
ship of our broad land but what would be beue-
fitted by such exhibition of the industrial arts
of the world as our people. We only ask for the
opportunity TO invest our money in the enter
prise. IL our efforts in this matter shall fail by
reason of the indifference or proposed neglect on
the part Of Congress, il will be another striking
illustration of the abuse growing out Of our
political condition-.'heavy taxation and no
representation" Loud and continued applause
and cheers.l 1t seems to me that the incentive
which induced the throwing of the tea overheard
in Boston harbor, was but a 1.-THE in comparison
To the infections under which the 10000 people
OF this District suffer by the non-action of Con-
gress in regard to such legislation as is needed
for the working out of our salvation by our own
industry and energies. tApplause.l
think that with united and persistent effort
we can procure action in Congress. The repre-
sentatves Of the American people will he lust,
ii We can only command their attic ntion till they
hear our case fully. Let them give Us liberal
legislation suitable to the times and our circum-
stances; let them break the shackles which bind
our energies by repeating the old Maryland
laws in force here.
The remarks made by Hon. Thomas b. Bryan,
OF Chicago, at our last meeting, wherein he
stated that We needed but vim 70 push WASH
ington forward with Chicago strides of prosper
ity, was evidence that he is unacquainted with
has liberal, encouraging legislation. Washing
ton has none. assert, without fear Of success
full contradiction, that the people of Washing
ton ton have displayed as much energy in the past
dous disadvantages under which We labor, as
the people OF Chicago, and that we have not
accomplished more Is not for the want of ener.
getic and enterprising citizens, but is owing
wholly to the fact that the General Government
denies to us the same privileges and rights of
liberal legislation which Is secured to the citi-
IN hrnr. .xl. ..s-
latures. Great applause.l
During Mr.. Kilbourn's remarks the audience
manifested great enthusiasm by constantly in
terrupting him with cheering and applause for
the elOquence with which he urged that the peo-
pie of the District of Columbia had long enough
borne "taxatiOn without representation" and
upon retiring he received round upon round of
applause.
REMARKS OF ALEX. r. SHEPHERD.
Mr.. A. X. Shepherd was called for and adj
dressed the meeting. He said he had been con-
siderably walked up by the remarks of Mr.. Kill
bourn, and he endorsed every word of them.
He (Air. 81 had been waiting upon Congress for
Years past for various purposes, and he could
also testify to their Hardness of action when the
District of Columbia was interested. He alluded
to the trouble this city had experienced i'm oh
tanning the passage Of laws suited to its wants.
People complained that there was no prosperity
in our midst. And why? Because business men
could not prosper without they were protected
in their enterprises. The usury Ia VS. stood i'm
t me way OF our progress. He did not doubt
up in the city that would readily be used in i'm
proving the city il the usury laws were repealed.
He was i'm favor of legislating for ourselves and
project was now on hand to that end which he
hoped would receive the support OF all our citi-
zens, whether Democrats or Republicans. Give
Us the power, we have capital and energy. All
We want il freedom-the privilege OF governing
ourselves. He was very forcibly struck with the
remark OF Mr.. Bryan, from Chicago, the other
night, in reference to Congress treating our city
Ike astep-clnld, and il had reminded him of the
orphan child who was travelling with a party of
| emigrants to California some years ago. The
party run short of provisions and subsisted upon
roots; but not knowing whether they were poi
sonous, they would first give the doubtful kinds
TO the orphan child as test aud if they did not
hut ii then they would eat OF them. Laughter
SO IL las with Congress, and the legislation for
TINS District-contnually Experimenting, and If
Their plans workedwell here then they extended
Their experiments 10 the country at large. TAp-
llause;I Washington, he thought, was the hes,
abYsed city in the Union. If people would con-
sider the wonderful Improvements that have
been made in the past ten years, and then the
disadvantages under which We are compelled to
labor, he thought it would astonish even the
onterfrlsing citizens of Chicago that we had
| accomplished 50 much. Washington had too
| long been an eyterimental ground. Now, We
wanted 10 make sUlIStantial progress. He would
| make the proposition that If the Government
| would pay taxes in proportion to the valuation
OF its property in the District, The citizens would
| undertake TO build the public buildings aud
| X. ep them in repair. Washington had too long
| been subjected TO whims OF Congress. IL was
now proposed that We should have our rights
| that we should respect ourselves, and make
others in turn respect us. He congratulated the
| citizens of Washington on what they had 80 far
done. ard hoped the present enthusiasm would
| not flag nor falter until they realized their
fOndes; anticipations.
| Judge Ca>.sy said the committee authorized
resolutions adopted as above stated would be
ammo gnced through the city press on Monday or
| Tuesday. Adjourned.
| The UNIVERSAL FRANCHISE ASSOCIATION