Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-12-30
Suffrage i'm the Distr;c,.

THE W0RK1NGMENS ASSEMBLY DISCUSS THE
QUESTION AND TABLE THE RESOLUTION FAVOR
ING RESTORATION OF SUFFRAGE.
The Workingmen's Assembly met last night;
the president, Mr.. J. P. Hamilton, in the chair,
and Mr.. j. T. Christian secretary pro ten. Mr..
Plow6en submitted resolution that a COM
mittee OF three be appointed to wait upon the
District Commissioners and request them to
cause the prisoners to be withdrawn from pub
lie Work While there are so many poor and WOr-
thy labOrers without work and suffering for the
necesSaries OF life. The resolution was adopted
The chair appointed Messrs. Plowden. Campbell
and Mcdonald as the committee.
THE DURANT SUFFRAGE BILL OPPOSED.
Inc regular business being the resolution SUBJ
mitted by Mr.. Campbell in relation to restoring
suffrage in the District Of Columbia, was taken
up. Mr.: Mcdonald opposed the bill prepared
by Mr.. Durant, on the ground that the condi-
lions OF suffrage under that bill and the ma
chlnery governing elections were too restrictive
He thought the bill ought to be killed. Mr.. T.
G. Campbell took the same view of the case as
Mr.. Mcdonald, stating that no more restric-
tons OF suffrage should be required in the Dis
trict of Columbia than in any state or territory.
What we want are the same Constitutional
rights as other citizens of the country. He hoped
the members OF this assembly would look after
this thing, and not suffer such a bill to become
a law. Mr.. Plowden made remarks of a similar
tenor. He was opposed to having any franchise
except full and free suffrage in this District.
Congress would not dare to make such bill
into law for this District Mr.. Mcdonald said
he would be satisfied with the same kind OF
franchise law as the people of Ohio, Pennsyl-
vania or Connecticut now enjoy. He moved
that the resolution be amended so as to make
the franchise laws of a character similar to
those of the states named.
CONGRESS AND THE DISTRICT PEOPLE
Mr. Julien said the difficulty in the way was
to Congress the exclusive jurisdiction on all
matters connected with the District of Column
bia, and the citizens have no rights except those
Congress chooses to give them. He could see
nothing to complain OF as it stands now. Con-
greSs is pledged TO furnish one-half the means
Tor carrying On the government. Would Con-
gress give us franchise and furnish one-half the
means to improve our cities? He thought not
and with his views he should oppose the resolu-
ton.
Mr. Campbell defended the resolution. con-
tending that Congress could not foist heavy
debt upon the people and then leave them to
pay it. Congress is morally and legally bound
TO pay for the expense they have incurred
through their own agents in this District. He
thought Congress should pay at least two
thirds Of the expense, as the government has
the control of the plans of the streets and ave-
nueS.
THE UPRISING IN MAINE.
Mr.. Hamilton said the uprising in Maine was
in consequence of the Acknowledgement of its
citizens For the same reason the diSQuiet exists
in this city, and there is no more reason why
suffrage should be denied here than elsewhere
Who opposes suffrage here? The democratic
party. and every capitalist in the District. In
his state (Kansas) such condition of affairs
would not be tolerated for an hour; and here in
this District the same right OF suffrage exists
This is fundamental right which Congress
cannot deny citizens anywhere
Mr.. Roseberry asked what party it was that
took the right of suffrage from the District.
Mr.. Hamilton said it was the capitalists, and
most of them are well known democrats.
THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT THE BEST.
Mr.. ROseberTy said he thought corruption was
at the bottom of it all. He thought the present
government here was the best they ever had
While he had been in this city-thirty years. He
did not wish any change, and hoped there
would be none. Mr.. PloWden thought the con-
dition OF things worse here now than ever be-
fore. Here laborerS have to work for ANYTHING
they can get, while our prisoners go about our
streets working in the chain gang. Mr.. Julien
said this chain gang plan is in operation in
south Carolina, Virginia and Georgia. Mr..
Plowden said that was the first time he ever
Knew it. Mr.. Boron was opposed to the terri
Lorial form of government, either by franchise
Or otherwise. He was in favor of franchise. He
wanted voice in public matters, and did not
ike AN empire or dictatorship government.
THE SUFFRAGE RESOLUTION TABLED
Mr.. Roseberry moved to lay the resolution on
he table; carried, and the resolution with the
amendment, was laid on the table. Mr.. McDon-
,ld made motion that hereafter all meetings
De secret after the next one held; laid on the
able temporarily.