National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-01-07
THE REpUBLICIN CLUB.
A Suffrage Mass-NIeeting to DO Held on the
23d Instant.

A Suffrage Mass-Meeting to DO Held ON the
23d Instant.
Tho Republican Club held u rousng meet
ing at Cosmopolitan Hall lnst evening, Major
Richards in the chair aud Mr.. ]. II. Crane sec
retary. The subject OF suffrage for the Dis
trct was under consideration. and the argu.
meuts advanced in support of tho measure
were of the most telling character.
Mr.. George Holmes, from the mass.mccting
committee, reported that he had secured Odd
Fellows Hall for Il suffrage mass.mecting OF
all citizens, irrespective of party, for the even.
ing of the 23d instant. Ex-Mayor James G..
Bcrrett would preside, and Colonel Robert
Ingcrsoll, Hon. I. J. Durant and other dis.
tinguishCd advocates Of the people would be
present and address the meeting.
Mr.. Samuel Ceas made a short speech, dur
ing which he said tho county was in favor Of
suffrage aud the movement WAS rapidly gain
ing ground.
On motion the executive committee was au.
thOrizcd to make all the arrangements for tho
mass.mecting, and Messrs. Arthur Shepherd,
William BurchGrl aud Collins Crusor were ap-
pointed OH tho committee to supply vacancies
now existing
Mr.. ]. II. Crane said that in less than three
months the people of this entire District
would be shouting for suffrage, but II was tho
duty Of all desrOus of accomplishing the work
10 be up aud doing now. He had no personal
objection to the present rulers Of tho District,
but thought that its people should
have voice In their selection. 1t
was but just that people who paid
taxes should choose their own rulers. The
proposed massmeeting should be made a sue
cess, and funds were needed to make it so.
For his part ho would say that lie did not want
to be bothered by solicitors, but would do his
part. As an earnest of his good intentions
Mr.. Crane deposited iiYe-dOlar bill with the
chairman Of the executive committee. His
example was COntagiuI-, aud IN few minu les
tho note had many companions, neat sum
being realized.
Mr.. G. Ii. Bliss said ne was heartily in favor
of suffrage, and it was a strange thing that in
the Capital of the Nation IL had been taken
| away from its citizens and this, too, without
| the consent of a single voter. Tho right OF
suffrage should have beou continued forever in
the District. 1t was only within few years il
was found to be unwise to allow tho people tC
select their own rulers. No other place in the
j UnVled states WIS deprived OF the franchise
aud no Momber of Congress would dare to say
before his constituents that he was opposed t
suffrage.
In conclusion, Mr. Bliss counseled agitation
of the subject as necessary for its final success
| There would be no lack of supporters when II
was once ascertained that the suffrage move
ment was destined to be successful.
| MT, james EIISleI sHlu suuIubS WAS " lldI
| tor of deep interest to every American Citi
zen. If It was right In other places it GER
tuinly was in the District, rs its people COM
pared favorably in every respect with those
| of other neighborhoods.
Mr.. ]. IL. Crossman said he desired, as a
citizen of the United States, to enter his pro
test against tho people of the District Of Co
umbiu boing deprived of tho ballot. Tht
measure was n griovous wrong and tho peo
pc of the different States should not allow
their representatives to continue It, 1t WA
not too much to ask that u man be allowed {
voice in all matters affecting his liberty ant
property.
Remarks pertinent to the subject were alst
made by +. d. Gaines, A. Watson, ii. lIimbe
aud II. Lyles and tho following committee
was appointed to make collections to dora.
the expenses of the mass-mcetug Messrs
George Holmes, Joseph Williams aud Andrew
Gleason. The meeting then adjourned.