National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-08-29
OUR FUTURE GOVERNMENT
THE VIEWS OF PROFESSOR JOIN II.
L4NGSTON.

LEolGEbOI .Ol Law IN hOWdIu OulNcEsAkgy oAN =
member Of the Board Of Health, concerning what,
in his opinion is desirable in the new form Of
government to be provided for this District, are
given to the public It will be noticed that Pro
fessor LanRston differs, in many essential partic-
ulArs, from the views previously expressed In The
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN BY distinguished citi-
Eens The method and explIcitusss Of the Pro
fessor's ideas commend themselves to attention,
and for the great reason that he is representa-
tive man Of e large body OF voters:
Reporter "Let ne ask you, Professor Lang
Ston what is your opinion in general with regard
to REoTernment for the District Of Columbian"
Professor Langston. "Ihave this thought: That
under the Constitution Of the United States it is
not possible to establish here what is known as
popular form Of government, either representa-
tive purely democratic; for the Constitution OF
the United States, in its first article and the
eighth section, makes it the duty OF Congress to
exercise exclusive legislative control over the Dis
trict A popular government, whether republican
in form or purely democratic, is government
made as we all understand, by the people. Of
State or Territory, Of their own will and power,
in their own interest," to secure and maintain their
own highest welfare. In such government the
people frame their own constitution, and in ac-
cordance Herewith, through their Legisla ture,
enact their own laws. Certainly, as far as this
District is concerned the Constitution Of the Uni
ted States is the organic law, prescribing the mode
and manner Of its government. Under the Con-
Etitution Of the United States Congress is made
the sole Legislature for the enactment Of law and
the organization Of government for the District.
Considerations Of sound policy as we'll ns the high
est interests Of the people Of the District, the
character and general welfare Of the people Of the
nation, require that Congress, in dealing with the
District, cultiTsting legal discretion, should e1
eroiSs the largest hbsrality, the brOEdest and
best Judgment, no less than the most enlightened
md rn1fa h1 "a Fa IN ha
ways IN dealing with the District, whether Con-
RreSs takes action with regard thereto or q mulh-
cipal government or commission, that 1t is the
seat of our national capital indeed that 1t is the
national capital itself-the capital Of nation not
only distinguished for material greatness and
power, but the largest and highest moral, intel
Iectual and scientific culture. 1t Is to be remem-
bered also that our capital is not to be removed;
there is to be no change with respect to It. Its
foundations may be brOadened and strengthened
its beauty and ornRmentation increased and i'm
proved but no removal is to be made from the
banks Of the Potomac, where Washington laid
its cornerstone. Here We have written, The rock
Of our capital is immoYable.'"
Reporter. but what form Of government would
you propose7"
Professor Langston. Although It is true that
there can be nothing like popular government
established in the District, in broad and com
prehensive sense, there may be and ought to be q
government established here which, while It is !
legal, has in it somewhat Of that which may be
called popular. Such government would recon- /
mend as the one to be now established for the |
District. would have Congress govern this Dis
trIct under q liberal organic law, providing for |
the appointment of four commissioners, residents |
q the District Of Columbia, nominated BY the |
President of the United States, and confirmed by |
the Senate; and for the election, by the qualified
voters Of the District, Of governor, who shall be
a member Of this commission, With Ike powers |
and duties Of the other commiss6nefs and who !
shall be e- C6fcio president Of the board Of COM
mIssloners. The powers and duties OF this CON-
mission, as well as the powers and duties of the
governor would have defined fully in the or
ganio law Of the District. The salaries Of these
officers, respectively, I would make four thousand
dollars per year; the governor would have hold
his ONCE for two years, the commissioners each
for three years. These men would have distin-
guished for honesty, fidelity and ability-men in
their aspirations and purposes Americans indeed,
interested In the District in al that epPertails
to 1t Of local character and In all that apper-
taIns to it as the capital OF our great nation. The
experience of the District during the past three
years has demonstrated the practicability Of the ,
orm OF government which propose. or course,
] would have the commissioners take charge Of |
all those governmental matters Of the District
falling naturally, without exception and qualih-
cation, under the control OF such officers"
Reporter. what additional officers would you
haven
Prof. Langston. "In addition to these officers
would have Congress provide, by law, for the
continuance OF the Board Of Health Of the District
Of Columbia, defining with Clearness and fullness |
the powers and duties TO be exercised and per- /
formed by this board in order to the conservatism
OF the public health of the District. No we'll
regulated community-certaInly not the District
-FT ~, rvg1n IL
constituted health organization. The experience /
Of our own country, as we'll as that Of all Euro
pean communities, has demonstrated the wisdom
oTthis suggestion. would not leave the health
board to the Organization and support Of the COM
nissloners Of the District for several reasons,
among which may mention: First, believe that
the highest sanitary interests Of the community
would be more largely met BY having this organi-
Eation. as far practicable Independent Of local
and popular influence, while dependent upon and
responsible to the General Government, In the |
next place it is very difficult to find, yet, even
among our bcst-informed communities, that |
knowledge and appreciation Of sanitary work ne |
cessary TO insure the establishment and support |
Of an energetic and efficient board Of health. |
may say here that our experience in connection |
with such organization shows beyond q doubt |
that its continuance must prove altogether ad-
vantaEeous to the community. The work Of our |
present board has been faithfully and efficiently |
done, and wisdom and economy mark its expendi- |
lures. 1t has been in existence little over three
years. 1t has received, in Legislative and Con- |
gressIonal appropriations in that time el5s SToT6,
making an annual average appropriation for its |
work Of S52 8gO.25. When It is recollected how |
much work this board has done annually, and is |
now DOING It lie dficult indeed 70 believe that 1t
accOmplishes SO much upon the small outlay in
dicAted."
Reporter. Would yOu have q delegate in Con-
gress2''
Prof Langston. Eyes, I would continue our
Delegate N Congress, under the organic law, |
that we may have, as now, representative Of
the people in Congress. or course his term Of Of
fee would be two years, and he would receive the |
usual pay. OF the Importance and necessity Of
continuing the Deleg0e in Congress need not |
enlarge, for must be admitted that the services
rendered and the good accomplished by our Dele |
gate, the Hon. n. P. Chapman, since his first |
election, abundantly sustain the judgment which
I express"
Reporter. Would you have other boards in |
addition to those Of the commissioners and |
health?" - =.
- Prof kingston. al would have no other board |
than tie board OF commissioners and board Of
health, and would not have these conflicting as
TO their powers and duties, for those powers and |
duties would have, as regards each, fully and |
definitely defined in the organic law"
Reporter. Nov on the important matter Of |
taxes and appropriations, please let me have your
opinion /
Prof Langston. al am Of the opinion that real
estate in the District Of Columbia belonging to
individuals and corporations, other than that
used for educational and religious purposes,
should be assessed every Eve years, and taxes
paid thereon at rate not to exceed, in the cities
OF Washington and Georgetown, one dollar and
half upon the hundred dollars, and IN the county
at the rate Of one dollar upon the hundred; the
balance necessary to defrRy the expenses Of the
government Of the District, to improve the ave-
nues, streets public places and alleys Of the cities
Of Washington and Georgetown, including the
roads, bridges, &c, Of the District determined by
estimate or otherwise, should be appropriated
literally BY Congress; and 1 think Congress
should pay, after providing for the salaries Of the
board OF health and the commissioners. At least
two thirds Of the money needed 10 do the work
imposed upon the board Of health the remainder
to be provided By the commissioners from local
taxes" -.-
Reporter. BY whom, and upon what plan
should improvements be nader
Prof. Langston. "All public improvements in
the District should DO made upon q we'll consid
cred plan, through the commissioners, by officers
til -. =