Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-03-10
MIR, CRANES MEETING.
Opposition 81 the 00ee Helaers -
the Territorial Dtll.
IL Relieves Theps from Duty.
And Yet They Are Not Happy.
They Abuse Congress.

Temps 10 get up anu-terrltoriA meetings, there
was no response on the part of the public. The
people estimate the interested opposition OF cor
porstion officials to anything that displaces
them at its true value. There were, perhaps, a
hundred persons thinly scattered through the
hall, and, as was evident from the tone of the
meeting, not half q dozen of these had the
slightest sympathy with the objects Of the call.
Among those present were Water Registrar
Crane, Mr.. A. Watson, clerk In the Water
Registrars Office; Major Morse, of the City
Han; Commissioner A. NJ. Green, Commits
sioner Mcfarland, Mr.. Pechin, clerk at the City
Hall, and few others fiom that locality.
After waiting for a season for an audience that
did not come, Water Registrar Crane whispered
20 MAYOR morse, whereupon Major Morse called
Mr.. NJ. Frank Kelly presented list of thirty
vice presidents, intending " Gen." A. Grant
and Major Morse. OF the thirty vice pres tents,
only three were present, and most of them were
men Known 70 have no sympathy whatever with
the object of the meeting.
MIR. Crane stated that Mr.. Riddle was present
and was expected to speak. but to give him
larger audience he would not call on him until
later in the evening. Mr.. Crane proceeded to
read few thoughts "jetted down" IN the morn
ing. He claimed that notwithstanding the
triencs Of the Territorial bill hal declared the
question settled as to the bill that they should
AK for an amendatory bill The M amer in which
the bill bad passed las not creditable on some
gentlemen in and out Of Congress. A few spec
nlatOTs in county lots gave dinner parties 70 the
district Committees at Nelkers, WOrmleys and
Other places, and by potent arguments OF cham
payne aud oysters the committee become con-
vnced that the night OF self government should
he taken away from the 10000 people. The
fact that those who drew up the bill had been
appointed on that board was evidence that the
whole matter was wicked conspiracy 10 barter
away the rights of American citizens, through
tue District committees. over free champagne
suppeTs. AL the commissioners are taken from
the northwestern section of the District and
own stock IN the Seneca company, and the new
state department is to be built OF Seneca stone
lie claimed that the rights OF American citizens
had been taken from them by this bill, and
urged that IN the coming campaign there was
only that issue. IL would be far better 10 move
the capital than 20 take away the rights OF one
citizen. There was no necessity Ot lighting on
the dead issues of the past, and for one be was
opposed TO continuing such issue. The rights
OF the labOring man as against the encrOach-
ments OF capital should be made an issue.
Mr.. PechID. of the City Hall, now reported
series OF resolutions handed him by Mr.. Crane,
Resolrsd, That we, the people, protest against
the action OF Congress and call for such
least the election of both branches OF the yis-
lature and Q majority OF the Board OF Public
Works. That the hateful aristocratic and mon
archicsl idea, Principally Of the rich, that the
people are unit 20 govern, upon which idea this
bill Is founded, is base caumny upon our re-
publican form OF government. That there is no
good reason for thus practically taking away
the rights or he people here TO control their
own local government, which they have So long
exercised, unless il he the reason that they are
UNIT or incapable Of exercising this right so i'm
ment, and so dear to all American citizens
That a bare statement OF maDipulations OF the
bill shows deception worthy of the purpose in
view. Ii first passed the Senate making the
entire government elective, q large part Of the
people favoring such a bill; then, hy successive
amendments made shortly before its passage
the council was made appOintIve, the Board OF
Public Works also: and the House OF Delegates
l. cut down to twenty-five members thus giving
but one out Of the four PRINCIPAL branches OF
the government TO the people; and the tax on
= 10 he Git re uear hr.lF
million OF dollars annually, which was held up
20 the last moment 10 delude the peopIe and
disarm their opposition, is stricken out and
then, 20 cap the climax OF wrong, the very men
who urged this fraud upon the people seek and
with 10 small success, 10 be the new govern
ment Itself. That we regard the 18th section OF
sald bill, which empowers the Board OF Public
Works to assess JwO-thiTds Of the cos. of all
special Improvements upon the general fund as
most unjust and oppressive, and We ask Tor its
Immediate repeal, or amendments. by which
all who have heretofore been taxed tor
special Improvements may be reimbursed
20 the amount Of twO-thirds of said taye,
That in view OF the fact that the city OF Wash
ngton pays upwards OF iv--siNths OF the tax OF
the whole District, the omission by those who
drew up the said bill to insert clause recurring
the President to appoint At least two IN inbeis
OF SAID board from the city of Washing tOn
when they were careful TO require him to ap-
point one member from Georgetown and one
member from the county. proves conclusivetv
that they intended TO discriminate agains- this
city, which Is substantisted BY the fact thst ont
OF I'VE members appointed upon saih board
only one Is a resident of Washington, and he a
partial resident OF the county, and All reside
west OF 9th street and north OF Pennsylvania
avenue. That we request the immediate amend
mebt OF the act restoring To the people the right
10 select their own rulers. aud IL Congress has
not time 10 30 act, request the passage OF a res
OlutioD sur ending its operation until the next
regular session, when time may De had to d.
liberate upon its repeal, or amend il so a. 10 i,s
satisfactory 70 the people.
Mr.. Riddle was introduced, and spoke As fol-
lows.
REMARKS oF A. g. RIDDLE, ESQ.
LADIES and gentlemen The resolutions are
not my sentiments. think vou made a mistake
in inviting me 10 address YOU, and I would prs-
Ter to give way 10 some gentleman whose opin-
IONS are more In accordance with them,
Mr. Crane" Speak your sentiments
Ar. hlddle.-l have only TO say that il IL pro-
posed to secure the modification of the law it
would not be by charging Congress and the
President with bribery and corruption. [ do
not believe there has bean cerru ption either
with Congress or the President IL would lie
the end OF any government il d half dozen cham
payne suppers could secure the passage OF a law
There were, however, some things IN the reS9-
buttons and Mr.. Cranes speech that met his
APPRECIATION, but he did not believe that Com
gress had deprived him OF the rights OF self-goY-
eTDment. because they never had auy. Con-
gIess had exclusive legislation over the District
The starting point OF the Government, the
Constitution, intTusted them there with, and no
Congress, from the fret until the present, ever
Permitted the people OF the District to govern
tutui-tIFtc, save III the ChArtcr OF the city. No
doubt IL was expected that when Congress and
give the District ANY elective privileges, they
would do II in accordance with american prir e
pies. Congress never governed US; nobody did.
Nobody ever could tell the laws OF this District:
nobody cannO., and when look at tundamen-
tai law | am still in the dark.
The fault md in the bill Is this: ! want the
people to govern themselves, and don't believe
any body OF settled Ameneans can flourish
otherwise Old England says to Can ada. - We
will give YOU royal governor and a royal
council, and you can eject your lower house."
That looks like royalty. \ voice" What 10
you call this Why, it's the same thing over
again, and l don't like il. III Congress shal
have exclusive jurisdiction over us, don't see
why il should be delegated to the President
Why not let the Governor and Council do it,
The lower board has no power save TO pass "A
bill and carry it up to the royal house above.
IL Congress 10 to delegate its power, why not
give II TO any one: Am good enough to vote
for the lower board? Then. BY the same
rules, | ought 70 have the power TO vote
for the higher. / think I know how
Congress reasons. They come here and
buy property; they say, We will live here
and become property -ownere-semi- citizens
We bad better have some stable element in the
District government so they make US a govern
ment, and have appointed . governor and coun-
ell In short, II IS An experiment. The Presi-
dent Is really the Legislature, because he APP
points the legislators Presidents don't appoint
men opposed 20 their measures, and couse-
- II