Evening star., 1870-02-03
The Consolidati0n Meeting.


The Censolidation Meeting.
Harmonious Government for the District.
As eur report closed yesterday of the mass
convention of the people at Lincoln Hall, held
with the view of considering the question of one
harmonious government for the whole District,
= resolution had been reported providing for the
appointment of a committee OF 100 to urge
lpon Congress the passage Of measure looking
20 that result, and Mr.. VIM. II. Huestis said
that the only ones opposed to the change of
government here were stock jobbers and con-
tractors. As Republican he would say that
the Republican opponents Of the measure were
unworthy of the party.
Mr.. III. N. Easily, in support of the substitute
which he had previously offered, (noticed in
yesserdays STAR criticized the remarks of
Judge Wright as also the picture of Washington
drawn by that gentleman, saying that it was
bad taste for people coming so lately among us
speaker) didn't want Governor for this Dis
trict from Louisiana, Maine ST. Domingo, but
he wanted one from ourselves.
MIR. j. j. Coombs said the resolutions reported
BY the committee contained nothing derogatory
TO the right of Congress to legslate for the Dis
trict, and explained the advantages of having a
Mr.. X. NJ. Hall said that they did not meet
here as partizans or politicians, but as citizens
they came to demand of Congress laws by which
they could protect themselves. They were not
against Mayor Bowen or any oficeholder, but
they wanted enlarged powers, by which they
could lay gas or water main, or repeal the
laws aAu aAAduSC lOA uCNLcluS pIOpcItN,
&c.
Mr.. A. NJ. Green charged that when the De-
moeraey had control they never thought of these
things, and he wOuld like TO know ii the party
fayoTing the proposed change were in favor OF
the extradtion of the blacks from the District
whereby the Republican ranks here would be
depleted. As for contractors being opposed to
The project, he could not see any difference be-
fSeen a contractor and a real estate agent. The
gress on bended knees and ask for fayors
MIR. A. n. SturtevaLt said that the people
could not easily approach Congress except
through a delegate, and then adverted to the
fact that Northern men. or any Others, had a
perfect right to come to the capital OF the coun-
try, and not remain away, some gentlemen
had insinuated they should.
Gen. u. D. Howard said he was invited to a
citizens meeting few nights since, and they
were Republicans that invited him, and he was
asked to present his own views. He afterwards
learned by some of the papers that he had been
In % bad company" and the newspapers had
rather prejuGged his opinions. He had said the
elect the entire legislature. He himself was
very much Interested, the university under
mis- charge held considerable property, and he
would Ike TO see it increase in value. He first
heard OF the territorial project from two or
three gentlemen, and said at once that he
Thought 1t ieasible if it could be so planned As
20 give 70 the people the election OF the legiSla-
fure. They had been told by one of the speak
ers Major MOTse) that a territorial government
was unconstitutional. He did not think that
position could be maintained, as the resolution
contemplated Congress retaining Jurisdiction
over the District. He was interested in
.ne . Psiss, PsosTsss OF ., the people here He
10 see this city and Georgetown in as
good condition as any cities in the country.
IN, Ihe contest was not between capital and labor.
The interest of the laborers is to get good men
with capital to come here and work with them
The people of this District want such a system
OF laws a. will induce capital to come here We
want TO preserve and continue the government
Of this District 80 that capital never get adj
vantage OF labor. He would never give his
countenance to any scheme that favored the op-
posite. lie would raise his voice and hand in
favor of a man with fifty cents as well as one
with $50 goo, and thought Mr.. Green would favor
the resolutions, if he didn't think there was
something behind them. If Prof. Green were
not so tinid, or had not been mslej by parties
interested, he (the speaker) believed that he
INT. Gretnl would be just as much interested IN
tins consolidation movement as any one present.
This consolidation project would, he believed.
be for the better, because the people would
elect all their officers and rulers who would
make and reerify the laws; and we would secure
proper representation in Congress. There can
be no doubt but that the laws governing US can
have ii is not to be wondered that they are con-
stantly jarring. 1t is probably objected that q
change now will throw out OF office those
now holding positions. There should be no such
feeling, because il may be year or two before
the plan can be put into operation. When the
change does come the people will have the
power 70 say " h0 shall or who shall not remain
In their positions. He would, therefore, urge
upon the people not to drive away from their
midst men who are willing to assist them. Well
come all who come and labor with them TO Sc
cure the represeutation in Congress. There is
- mistaken idea existing in the minds of the
me- n'' iabers IN Congress. Only the other day
Ioit him BE was opposed to making any appro-
zTiatiCns IL aid of this city, and appeared sur
tF,sed "hell ne (the speaher) told him that if
1he Government would only consent TO pay taxes
On - Immense property here, there would be
10 necessity for appropriations in support of our
1ity. he would suggest that when a bill for
Consolidation Ia naSspt il shoull he tod
the Government would be obliged to pay taxes
on such pr Perty a. they own here.
Mr.. % ID. Barrett said he came here not as a
republican or Democrat, or capitalist or beg
gar, but II was patent fact that Congress could
not attend TO its own work and give the District
proper attention also. The revenue collected in
Territories was spent there, but here the Teye-
Due co lected goes To general expenses.
Judge Fisher rose, and was greeted with
Cheers. He said lie came to the meeting not a.
aDemocrat, Wing, or Republican, and was sur
Rrlsed 10 hear men making partisan appeals.
ms course was wrong. They should always
Keep in view the interests of all. In the move
ment proposed the interests of labor and capital
were identical Give the power to all men to
vote, and his word for it, capital will never op-
report of the committee propose, first, legisIa-
tive assembly to make laws for the District: and
second, delegate i'm Congress. The argument
mad been advanced that a form of government
As proposed is against the Constitution. 1t was
his belief that the government as proposed is
Just as inuch in con-onance with the Constitu-
tion as the Councils or the Levy Court. lie
could not see the difference. 1t was tweedledee
and tweedledum. Congress would still retain
Jurisdiction over the District, and would reserve
the right To revise the laws made bv the proposed
Legislative assembly. The advantage in the
change hes in the tact that men viii be elected
% legislate by the people and for the people.
Ihey would have proper representation in
congress, and the delegate could present the
embo,iied wishes OF the people, so that Congress
would know exactly what was wanted. Now
We have 10 90 singly for every little favor want
ed- First one knot of citizens will visit the
eommittee-room and say what they present is
desired, and not long after they depart another
Knot OF citizens appear and want something
else With delegate present from the people
the committees could digest his propositions
and not be vexed BY these self-constituted COM
mittees. Another point OF opposition is made
y interested parties, who harp upon the string
OF the curtailment of the franchise OF the free
men his Is utter nonsense. These gentle
men, who are so much in love with the people
Ano thelr rights, are really in love with them
seNes and their places. They have so much to
say ABOUT free franchise, and are Opposed Tn
giving the ballot 70 the residents of the conntv
who have never had vote. He was i'm favor ~
equal rights-wanfed all to stand ON An enroi
footing in Washington, Georgetown or the rn
raj portions Of the District. Let US have con-
soiidation of the government, and the entire
community will be benefited.
Dr Snodgrass was in favor of having dele
gaze put Did not think il was necessary to con-
soioate the municipal governments.
GENERAL huZZv bOpah thaf