National Republican., 1876-11-16
A DISTRICT GOVERNMENT.

District of Columbia is engaged upon no
enyiable task. 1t is one which involves
arduous labor, great research and infinite
patience. 1t is gratifying to know that the
composition of the Commission is favorable
TO just and wise conclusion. Senator
Spencer and hr. Hendee are thoroughly
familiar with the governmental necessities
of the people by their long service on the
District Committees in their respective
Houses of Congress. Senator Whyte and
General HuDtol are scarcely less familiar
WIN the practical character of government
best suited TO this latitude, On account OF
contiguous residence, the former being a
citizen OF Maryland and the latter of Viz
| giniR. As these are the original parent
States Of the District. citizens Of
those States nay naturally be sup
posed to feel State pride in the
prosperity Of their offspring. Tue gen
tlemen named appear to be the active
members of the Commission. Senator
Whyte enjoys high legal reputation, aud
brings to the Commission much strength in
the discussion Of those questions of a legal
anu COu5illuGlOIdl udlAIC
tably enter into the determination Of the
character Of the government to be recon-:
mended. All the members of the Commis-
sion are men of recognized ability, and ap-
pear to be animated by desire to arrive at
a wise solution Of the vexed questions be-
fore them. They are doubtless actuated by
that patriotic spirit which would accord
to the citizens of the District all those
privileges of self government which they
may find consistent with the safety Of those
national interests that are inevitably so
closely blended with private rights as to
be inseparable fro m them.
1t is scarcely to be expected that Con.
gress will deem it wise to delegate to a
local government the power to assess the
value OF and to levy taxes upon the prop
erty of the nation in common with that of
private citizens for the purpose of the i'm
provement and repair of streets, and of
lighting and policing the sane. Probably
one of the most perplexing questions that
will command the attention of the Cemmis-
SION will be that of an equitable division
of the burdens of government between the
National Government and private prop
erty. Another vexed question will be that
of suffrage, the expression Of the popular
will in reference to a form of government,
ard how it shall be administered. Upon
this subject there IS most unquestionably a
wide difference of opinion. While there
is undoubtedly large majority of the peo-
pic who favor suffrage in some form, the
method Of expressing the public voice is at
variance. Some desire that it may be by
the choice of an executive and local coun,
Cils OF legislation, while Others, Geeming
this machinery too cumbersome and cXpsn-
siye, and wholly unnecessary TO sI(e and
economical government, favor the election
ofa delegate TO Congress who should have
voice in the District Committee of the
Lower House, and of one half the mem
beIs OF couccIl, who, with Governor,
and the remaining half to be appointed by
the President and confirmed by the Sena'r,
should constitute the executive and admin
istrative power under the general legisla-
ton of Congress. The election of a
delegate and four cOuncilmen once
III wv NSdlS OO
inexpensive, IT is held, while it would give
full expression to the wishes of the people |
of the county, Georgetown aud Washing |
ton, and the appointment Of four others and |
the executive. who should preside at the |
meetings of the Council, with casting |
vote in the event of tie, would afford a |
sufficient protection to the Interests of the |
National Government. With mixed gov |
eminent, as briefly outlined above, all |
general legislation would be enacted by |
Congress, and the minor ordinances only, |
necessary to carry out the details of that |
legislation, would be enacted by the Coun- |
Gil. Such simple form of government |
would preserve the popular will from out
rage, while the members could be held toi, |
rigid accountability to Congress and to the !
people. The chief benefit sought to be |
derived from such form is the economy |
with which it could be administered. |
Under it there need be no expensive multi |
plication of Offices or salaried boards. This |
single Council of Administration, it is con-
tended, could direct all branches of the |
District government by consolidating them |
into divisions Of single bureau.
There are others who favor the erection |
of bureau Of the District of Columb bla in |
the War or Interior Departments, whose
duties should be executive and ministerial |
simply, Congress being relied upon for ex-
elusive legislation, and the President and |
head of the Department to make all the |
appointments. This plan ignores suffrage |
as too expensive without compensating |
features to justify that expense. 1t is ia.
vored by that class Of citizens-by no means
a small one-who believe this District |
would fare better at the hands of Congress
as its wards, having its necessities carefully |
set forth in the annual reports and esti-
mates of the Secretary and chief Of bureau,
than by setting up as "big city on its
own hook" Last but perhaps not least
there is the woman suffrage element, which
claims recognition as the only panscea for
every Ill TO which our present government
is heir. This element is confident that
there will be no elevation of our political
morals until man and woman are politically
and allowed TO cast their votes
instead Of, as at present, through
the voice of male alone. Unmindful of the
Scriptural assertion that God created man,
male and female, and that the twain should
be one flesh and have but one voice, this
element holds that this language is only
fgurative, and goes for nothing In these
modern days of political strife.
If any one supposes, with all these diff
ferent views generally and thous md of
less importance regarding details to har
monte, the Congressional Commission at
The Capitol is having nice, easy time of
it over District affairs, that person is totally
unacquainted with the subject of govern
ment making. To frame plan of govern
meut for an ordinary commercial city may