Daily national Republican. (Washington City [D.C.]) 1870-1872, 1870-01-21

Nho DAaNAASN "Aa huAu INST NNNhAhk ~
League Hall for the purpose Of discussing
the proposed change In the form Of govern.
meut for the District Of Columbia. Among
those present were Col. ]. A. Magruder, Of
Georgetown, 8. P. Brown, Gen. o. o. How.
ard, R. NJ. Hall, Major Morse, VIM. Mott, B.
D. Peck, Lewis Clophane, DR.. ]. E. snod-
grass, John r., Elvans, Joseph Williams,
president OF theCommon Council, Council
men Piper aud Thompson, Gen. A. Grant,
Gen. J. Bell Adams, aud many others.
Tho meeting was called 10 order by Mr.. s.
P. Brown, who nominated r. N. Hall as
chairman, and he was elected. John R.
Evans was nominated for secretary.
Mr.. Evans said he would prefer not to Sc-
ecpt the position, as he might psrhaps differ
In opinion from lhoee In the majority.
Mr.. Hall thought that was hardly q valid
ohjeetion. He should himself reserve tho
privilege Of advancing or advocating any
Views be thought proper. Tho object OF the
nesting was TO discuss the question, and
only BY fair and full expression Of opinion
Ar. ElySns occepted the position, aud the
Chair called upon Col. Magruder 10 state
the object OF Che meeting.
Before the Colonel commenced his 70
marks the hall was nesrly allied, tho greater
portion OF the audience being composed Of
colorcd men.
=. oRIBoT OF TIE MEETING.
Mr.. Magruder stated that the proposition
10 obtain q change In the form OF the gov
orumeut Of the Dlatrict originated with .
number OF the citizens who had experienced
great difficulty In getting any measures
through Congress that would tend 70 pro-
mote the prosperity Of the people.
Congress- never could ind time 10 attond
70 the claims Of the District, and 10 was for
the purpose OF giving our Affairs some con-
sideratlon that two years since Senator
Harlan introduced In the Senate q resolu-
tion 10 devote one day In each week 70 the
bills offered by the cltlEens Of this District.
Il waa impossible 10 get . general act Of In
corporation and thereby the mercantile and
mechanical interests Of the District were
retarded. The water power OF the Potomac
was useless, aud would be until capitalists
could have privileges In common with citi-
sens Of other States.
He explained the principal features Of the
I'LL proposed, and the manner 10 which IL
mentS. He wanted IL distinctly understood,
he was opposed 70 abridging any OF the
| rights Of the citizens, and was In favor OF
the largest and fullest liberty TO all. We
want an eight miles square under one gov
eminent, and don't believe that any
thoughtful, consldSrato man will oppose the
measure. 4
GEN. nowLRD's RnGLRKs.
Geu'l o. o. Howard was next called upon.
He said, with regard 10 matters In the Dis
trict, and the discussions which may have
taken place upon certain questions, he did
not profess 10 be posted; but he had given
\ the question under consideration much care
full thought, and he wanted to see the Dis
trict prosper aud the property Increase 10
value. He loved the capital OF this great
| Republic, and he wanted TO see II built up
and become an ornament 10 the nation. lie
spoke Of the difficulties the citizens had In
obtaining any favor from Congress, because
there were so many parties 10 present their
claims, aud so many TO oppose them: IL
any great measure was proposed, opposition
was sure 10 be developed, and how were
Congressman ever TO determine what We
need. A delegate would obviate the neces-
sity of such conflicts, or rather he would be
there to espouse the interests OF the citizens
fthe District, and then evefy measure would
rest upon Its own merits.
Now II Congress will grant US govern
mont Of our own, and pay their Just proper
ton OF the taxes on the property the Gov
eminent owns In the District, We will pros
per and DO able TO take care Of ourselves.
lie was In favor OF electing all the oftlcers,
II such q bill could be passed. but until
something was done To encourage industry
and enterprise, the District never would ad'
vance.
OPPOSITION REsoUTIoNB.
Mr.. Henry Piper then offered the following
resolutiousi
'whsreas Congress, the lAw-maklnE power
Of this nation, have plainly SET iotth 10 eveLy
ehoIt 70 reeonsuettn Mn.sron,.o1 TX N
they are uncomp 70 misiHgiy 10 favor OF the co
iTGSehiSemsnt Of American citizens, WHETHER
native born or nAturlllIed, eIsept as pun
ishment fSi erlmsl ane shetSss re ,s osn M
srsns1sntto ne conStitation ofthS unitss
State l. 20 sssaTs 20 All men Inc right 20 sE
erolss all OF the rixhts and privileges before
the law that oslonE TO them As s"iieh'' 'nsi'
ioE R, 4, r,,ol.,a That A. eitlzsns and lAboFInI
men Of this DistTiot, we are unsompTom isingll
opposed TO any change In the goyernmeGt
this district, wh,oh proposes * s,le y
Ssnl,iIiis,, ar ~ sristosSsiis ooysrsment.
BsHJ sTtLsT rsIOlBsd, Thai . eommit.ee be ~
pointed from this meeting which shall eousls
i a9-n,nm1ss a. oSt H. H SsIt ~ Nv III
80, .on'n,t,,.n ~ Song,sS, sns nanXsy an
; I'M M ths Majority of the eItISens Of mi
, District.
J. Bell Adams, who had several tlmes al
j, temu,ed TO get the floor, arose and move
: their adoption. 81. .. o. ...r..r o.. @.
Mr.. RlYans, while In favor OF the reSolu
lions, opposed tho motion.
General Howard said he would like 10 sta
during the meeting, but previous engage
ment compelled him to leave. He was aorr
= 10 sec such resolutions introduced. Now
! for once, he wanted everybody TO dlstiuctl
understand that he was opposed to an
: effort 70 interfere with the rights OF the cit
: Gems OF the District. He hoped no on
!. would attribute such motives 10 him.
: was 10 Increase our franchise and not
= abridge II. ...-..H 90 ~
NO ABANDONMENT OF TIE RRARcHIsl.
4 J. Bell Adams said he was opposed 10 an
movement looking 10 the abrldgement OF tb
/, rights OF the people Of the District Of Coluu
Il bla, He denounced tho plea OF wanting
p general act Of Incorporation as a poor eIeui
. for changing the eTiAtlng form OF govern
N ment. lie Thought General Howard wi
. espousIng a bad cause, and when he told Il
q. =, meeting that he was In favor Of having a
~ the Officers OF the proposed goyernm eli
elected, he knew that he was advocating
measure that never would pass Congress
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