National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-01-12
A. G. RIDDLE ON THE SITUATION.
o. ID. Barrett end Dr. Mary walker
Heard From.

| with getting up the mass meeting at Lincoln hal
last night Of those opposed to the passage Of the
| morrill, bill, =" providing Q new form Of govern
ment for the District Of Columbia, that the citi
gems would turn out in large numbers and BY
| their presence disapprove Of the proposed meas
ure. How great must have been that committeei
| disappointment to see so many vacant chairs ir
the hall during the entire meeting, and only
about two hundred persons present, and most Of
them were
THE OLD FAMILIAR PAGES
| Of the suffrage party workers and strikers. But
the following partial list of those present best
| tells the story and shows how much the citizens
| John George Adams, Michael Duffy, Henry Him
| Der, A. Watson, VIM. II. Chase, Charles Petit
E. b. Robinson, K. J. Nicholson,C. s. Bates, Sid
ney W. Herbert, Z. s. Curtis, Arthur PAnnell, F.
| b. Gaines, George H. Holmes, L. NJ. Hall, Lem
uel Bursley, s. S. Riley, b. X. Brewers, John H.
Crane, ]. H. Crossman, Jenkin Thomas, VIM. H
| Fletcher, James Lynch, VIM. F. Zimmerman,
| Morris West, A. NJ. Green, HOratio N. Easily, F.
Miller, Rev. J. W. Green, Thomas Beckett, Jas
| H. Holmes, L. G. Hine, q. ID. Barrett, M. E.
UreII, Rev. q. W. Dennison, DR.. Snodgrass, Geo.
T. Stuart, J.-W. LIE Barnes, d. A. Straker, A. s.
Taylor, General r. D. MuEzey, Mrs. BeIya A.
streng-minded, ]. r. Mcconnell, Alfred Jones,
John Dickson, Lewis Seibold, Arthur Shepherd,
H. D. Mclaughlin, George T. Downing, James
Il. Berret, Frank H. Finley, George H. Beall,
DIR. Mary Walker, John Sampson, Jos Williams,
Captain Slater, several eolored women, Squire
Samuel Mills, Andrew GleuSO0. w llllAn LICK
son, General S. S. Henkle, Daniel Connolly, W.
H. Clagett, General J. q. Crocker and Colonel
Perry Carson.
On the platform were Hon. A. G. Riddle, L. G.
Hine, T. J. Durant, ESQ.,, and representatives OF
the city press.
THE ORGANIZATION.
A few minutes before eight O'Clock Mr.. L. G..
Hine stepped to the front Of the platform, and
proposed the calling of the meeting to order, and
nominated Mr. r. H. Hall as temporary chair
man; which motion he put and declared adopted.
MT Hall on taxing E19 shs the
present as q politician, and believed that few Of
them were. There was a profounder feeling than
that actuating them, and ne regretted that there
which Congress was about to legislate affecting
their interest. A bill had been introduced in the
trict that ignores every idea Of Republic. They
were taxed and called to arms to support the
country when it was endangered, and still they
are not TO be permitted to enjoy the full rights Of
American citizens. When such action as this
was about to be taken it was time that the citi-
ZeDs sh0ulG assemble and enter their solemn pro-
test. Mr.. MOrrill's bill proposes to sweep away
every elective Office in the District, from the
highest to the county constable. In making
RETRosPEcTIoN
OF the recent government OF the District he
wished to know If it was surrounded with worse
rings than those about the administrations of
Mayors WalIach, Bowen and Emory HeWanted
the officers elected. Did they have worse subor-
dinates than some OF those appointed by Governor
did not not now act upon this question the time
was not remote, If that Morrill, bill became o
law. when they would assemble by the ten thou
sand and petition its repeal He wanted them
to calmly consider the subject and make q pro-
test that would be needed by Congress, as he be-
neyed could be done. So long as they paid taxes
they asked the Government to give them q voice
in the administration Of affairs. Should Congress
make law declaring the District might have
certain officers, then let them give the citizens
the right to elect those persons through whom
the laws are to be administered. He would be
satisfied with this and nothing else.
James Small a striker Of the Seventeenth dis
trict, thought 1t was good time, and that the
place, and be would move that
TIE MEETING iNDoRsRs PRESIDENT GRANT
and Gen. Sheridan for the course they have pur-
sued in relation to the troubles now being exDe-
rieneed in New Orleans. (Cries no, no; put him
Mr.. Hall said those assembled had not come to
the hall to indorse any man or party, but to pro-
test against the passage Of the Morrill, bill.
Mr.. LeBarnes moved that committee Of five
on permanent organization be appointed.
The Chair appointed as the committee Messrs
Michael Mich fatty and J. H. orossmsn. " ~
Mr.. Crossman declined. He had come to listen
to able speakers. The people were befogged on
the subject Of suffrage, and he thought It fruit
less 10 spend the time in selecting permanent
oticeTs.
Mr.. Hiue, at the request of Mr. LeBarnes, with
drew the motion, and Mr.. U. ID. Barrett was
chosen presiding officer. On accepting the posi-
tiOn he thanked them for the honor and said this
Was meeting S Concerning all persons whether
liberty was older than the Constitution, and the
question was are they now to have q new depar-
ture or enjoy universal suffrage. This bill was q
disgrace to the District, and should be disposed
of for waste paper. The idea OF ruling the Dis
trict by commissions was an old one, emaRating
at least ten years ago, and some Of the same par
ties that labored then for its accomplishment are
working for its success at the present time The
bill introduced by Mr.. Morrill, in 1867 is the same
with
A FEW NOTIFICATIONS
as the one now before the Senate. The city has
never been governed by commission with the
exception Of thefpast year. President Madison,
while indorsing the control of Congress over the
District, conceded the right of the people as en-
titled to the local officers.
The Constitution gives Congress the right to
exercise exclusive legislation in this District but
does not say that they shall do so. The COnstitu-
tep also gives Congress the right to exercise GER
Tain other privileges, but they have not done So
because the necessity mas NOV been seen TOR 50
doing. What is wanted of them is to exercise
such right as State does over city within its
jurisdiction.
On motion of Mr.. Hall, the following commit
tee On resolutions was appointed and retired:
Messrs. R. NJ. Hall, L. G. Hine, W. H. Clagett,
]. W. LeBarnes and Geo. Holmes.
Mr.. T. J. pURAET
WAS introduced, and said that they stood in the
Tights, properties and privileges Of one hundred
and thirty i've thousand people to these Com
missioners. They not only stood in the presence
but one Of vital interest to the States. some
ninety years since, when the Continental
Congress was in session at Philadelphia, their
hall was invaded by the Pennsylvania militia
men, demanding their pay for services rendered.
Congress left there went to Princeton, and after
wards to Annapolis. II was out OF THIS invasion
seat Of government Of the United States. Now,
after seventy five years since this District came
under the Jurisdiction OF Congress, It is pro-
n pgtahlish n form of government.
The one which had existed previously he did not
intend 10 speak upon. The Speaker Of the
committee to prepare a bill creating govern.
ment for this District. From the illustrious
names comprising the committee It was sutici.
pated that this community would be given a
model democratic form Of government, but how
little they succeeded the bill shows.
1t proposes that the district Of Columbia should
eminent; its ruling to be by three regents not
elected by the people, but appointed by the Pres
ident and confirmed by the Senator they are to
have
THE RIGHT TO ENFORCE ALL LAWS,
collect all taxes imposed, charge of the various
bureaus Of the departments Of the District, ap
pointing all officers with the exception OF Few
members of the board Of education. Hence the
same hands, and this is the foundation Of tyranny
1t is by such means aristocratic governments are
lish and regulate the militia Of the District con
sisting Of tWenty-four companies Of soldiers anc
one regiment OF cavalry, over which they are x
be commanders-in- chief and TO use which II neces
| sary to execute their laws. Why they would have
i troops enough to disperse Congress, and hi
i could imagine q scene in the future when Con
| gTess displeased the Executive and the District
| militia were marched up to the Capitol at TIT
order Of the regents and dispersed the two bodies
The Legislatures Of the respective States have
the right Of legislation in their respective States
| and will continue to organize municipal govern
| mepts wherever the people require them. Th
| is q similar right that belongs to ana should b
enjoyed by the people Of this District. 1t canno
be conceived from the minds OF those framing thu
Constitution that they intended anything else il
| this District than q government OF the people,
and for the people. 1t has boon shown by history
that where those making the laws execute then
| there is
| NO FREEDOM AMONG THE PEOPLE.
/ The forefathers proclaimed to the world tina
the very essence of taxation without representa-
/ ton was tyranny; and when told they could no
i be- represented IN Parliament, then It was the!
/ claimed themselves entitled to q local govern
/ ment at home. If this District was not entities
| to representation in Congress then that body ha'
no right to infliet tax upon the people withou
| their consent. The constitution Of Massachusett
declares that those clothed with executive powe
should have DO legislative power, for the yer!
wise reason that this is a government Of laws ant
| not of men.
The constitution Of Virginia YVES equally OF
| pllcit, founding all government on the popula
will. He might quote that of Maryland, Maine
| Bnd Wisconsin to show the Representatives o
those States that they have LETT behind thos
| principles they should represent, and not estah
| llEh q government in this District desp0ttc II