National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-09-28
OUR FUTURE GOVERNMENT.
TWO 1ETFREsTING LETrERs.

WASHINGTON. SepbehnoeE u Ao'1s
To The Editor of The National Republican:
SIR: YOu have solicited communications in rela-
ton to the new government to be instituted Tor
this District. Enclosed send you for publica-
ton two letters on the subject, one from me to
Mr.. Iouyerneur Kemble, the other his reply.
Mr. Kemble is lightweight years Of age, was
classmate Of Washington Irving, was prominent
in Congress and has always been considered a
man of broad and comprehensive views. He lives
on the Hudson river, Immediately opposite West
Point, where for many years he has entertained
in style OF old-fashioned hospitality, and among
men Of cultivation and attainment is almost uni
yersally known.
WASHINGTON, August SO, 1874.
MY DEAR SIR: IWould like to gain your opinion
on question which is now exciting great interest
IN this CT ty but shall have to be concise in pre-
senting so considerable q subject In an ordinary
communication. Being somewhat known as
writer on government, both from the publication
Of my grandfather Monroe's treatise, "The Peo-
pie the Sovereigns," and writings of my own,
have been requested to express my views in rels-
ton to the most proper and best government to
be given during the coming session Of Congress
to the people of this District.
You are we'll aware that from the time Of the
location of this city as the capital of the nation
and the removal to it of Congress and the Federal
archives from Philadelphia until our late civil
by Maryland and Virginia to the General
Government were governed entirely by Congress
as a whole, having but two executive ministerial
oficers-the United States marshal and Commits
sioner of Public Buildings-both appointed by
the President, while the municipal government
of the city proper consisted Of q mayor, with
boards of assembly and eouneilmen, all elected by
the people.
some time about the close of the war this gov
dnA h.,
instituted by Congress, with o Governor, LegisIa-
ture, sc.
Irregularities having been discovered by an in
vestigating committee last session, by which
moneys appropriated by Congress and taxes col
lected had been misapplied by this government
and the property Of citizens thereby greatly de-
preeiated, Congress judieiously abolished it and
passed an act, under authority Of which the PresI-
dent appointed three Commissioners to take tenn
porary charge Of the affairs Of the District, and
by virtue Of which a jsint committee Of both
Houses was constituted to devise plan Of gov
eminent for the future.
The Commissioners are now fulfilling their
duties with ability, conscious that it is the conVc-
ton of citizens that the less they do the better.
The committee is also at work devising plan
OF government to be presented tor the eonsidera-
ton of Congress OF its reassembling in December
next, and with great propriety they invite such
Gems of the District and others as they may de-
sire to present. Five Well-known gentlemen
have already publicly expressed their views, Mr..
Wallach, a former mayor; Mr.. Norris, an old
resident: Mr.. Willard, one Of the late board;
John Langston, negro, claiming to be the repre-
sentative of his race, and Mr.. Shepherd, the late
Governor. OF course, their vieHsSare widely
divergent. Wallaeh would return to the old
regime as it existed at the time he was mayor.
-
ton, with the rights of suffrage restricted and a
property qualification for voters. Willard sug-
gests an army officer to take charge OF the whole
concern, with life term of office. LangstOn is
more concerned in the preservation to his color OF
the privileges he conceiVes they acquired through
the war. Shepherd very justly wants to be Cow
ernor again to prove the correctness Of his theories
and expenditures.
My plan, l formed upon the established princi
pies of the Federal Government, in which every
department or interest Ishal be represented as
in it are represented the federal, judicial and
popular elements. propose TO have represented
here, the Executive, the people Of the States and
the people here, directly to be governed. the
power and influence of the Judiciary being always
non-eomnitant with its exercise over the whole
country.
Firstly. The executive shall be represented by
q commission to be appointed by the President, by
and with the advice and consent of the Senate to
hold Office until his successor shall be appointed
and confirmed. He should be selected from any
State in the Union; should not be an officer Of the
army or navy, and should hold no other ONCE of
honor, trust profit during his occupancy of this
Secondly. As all the people Of the States are
equally interested in this District, belonging to
the Federal Government where, periodically,
their representatives meet to legislate for them,
1 would have a second commissioner to represent
the people Of the whole country, and, as it would
be inconYenient that general election should be
help for an officer Of this character would have
him elected by the House of Representatives
every two years, on the assembling OF new Con-
gress fresh from the people, as we elect the
Speaker and CLERK OF the House. He should Dc
a member, but should be nominated in open
session from any State and be elected by ballot.
He should be entitled to seat upon the floor,
and be permitted to vote and address the House
only upon questions directly appertaining to the
interests Of this District.
Thirdly. would have third commissioner,
resident here, to be elected by the citizens for
term Of four years, every man of tWenty-one
years Of age being permitted to vote without re-
gard to color or possessions, provided he was
citizen Of the United States and had resided here
one year.
What folly for intelligent men to talk of re.
stricting the suffrage here. If property or edu-
cational qualification can be required here, it
be required in the States, and where is the man
in public life who, in his own State, dare propose
that? As regards the negro, the power does not
exist to take unrestricted franchise from him
here more than it does in the States to take it
from the unedueated and degraded whites. We
did not give the ballot to the black; it grew to
him. he did not grow to it, and now if he loses it
it must rot away from him. He may rot away
from il. Let him look to that.
would, therefore, have for the election of this
commissioner the suffrage general, and it should
be provided that all the commissioners, during
their term Of office, shall reside in this city and
constitute board, in which majority should
control, and through the good ofhces of the Pres
ident, Congress and the people they should en-
deavor TO reduce taxation, preserve good order
and beautify the city, governing US as to excite
emulation for improvement among the citizens,
while extending invitations to the people Of the
States to visit the nations capital and aid in its
progress and Identification.
With sentiments of high consideration,
SAMUEL L. GoUvEREEUR.
GoUvERNEUR KEMBLEs REPLY.
COLD SPRING, PUTNAM COUNTY, N. Y.,I
September 3, lS74 :
I asa.. ankn.