National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-02-20
Congress and the District.


Congress and the District.
The District of Columbia is no insignifi-
cant factor in the body polite of this
great Nation. lis people pay the same
proportion Of revenue duties in support
of the General Governments Of the United
States as q like number of citizens in
other parts of the Republic; and, in ad-
0dion thereto, direct taxes upon their prop
erty and industries to the extent Of about
two million dollars per year are collected
and paid into the United States Treasury
as their assessment for the improvement
of the District set apart as the seat of
Government for the uses and purposes
of the entire Nation.
1t would be but simple justice to this
disfranchised community of taxpayers
if Congress would assign n certain day
or days in each month for the considera-
ton and legislation of matters affecting
this District. The duty of legislating for
the National Capital is imposed upon
Congress by the Constitution and expert
ence proves that the only way such legis-
lation can take practical shape is by
allotting fixed time for the exclusive
consideration of District of Columbia
affairs.
How can Congress crercise legislation
over the affairs of this District unless O
rule is adopted providing time certain
for the consideration of such matters as
its committees report for legislative ac-
ton?
Every other district in the broad Union
is represented on the floor of Congress,
and their interests are promoted and pro-
tected by faithful guardsmen, while the
District of Columbia has no voice in the
counsels of its law makers, and its destiny
issubiect to the whims, caprices, and preju-
dices of body of Congressman chosen
to promote the interests of their respec-
tive districts, and in their struggle the
interests of the unrepresented Capital of
the Nation are antagonized, neglected,
and ignored
Delaware with only $4,000 inhabit-
ants--thirty thousand less than this
District-has two Senators and Repre-
sentative in Congress to look after
national legislation affecting the inter-
ests of her people.
Nevada, with but $1,000 population
only trihe over one-third of the census
of the District of Columbia two Sem
ators and Il Representative in Congress to
promote and protect her national inter-
ests.
Colorado, with only some fifteen thou
sand more Inhabitants than this District,
also has her two Senators aud a Repro
sentative in the legislative department.
of this Government.
Oregon with less population than
this District has her two Senators and a
Representative in Congress to secure ma
tional legislation in behalf ot her people.
The eight Territories of the Nation are
each represented by Delegate in the
House to look after and promote the na-
tional interests of their respective con-
stituencies, and yet the combined popu-
lation of the Territories of Arizona, Idaho,
Montana, and Wyoming with four Dele
gates in Congress is less by over forty
thousand than the number of inhabitants
of this unrcprcscnted District.
Let il be remembered also that these
several States and Territories have each
a local Legislature and othersubdivisions
of representative government, while the
people Of the District Of Columbia have
no political, municipal, or general rights,
privileges and immunites, except such
as are granted by Congress, and in which
1.-THE District-has no voice.
1t is, however, the constitutional duty
Of Congress to legslate for this District
and their neglect TO do so is cruel and
unjust to the large body Of American
citizens and taxpayers domiciled within
its limits. Omission of such constitu,
tioual duty can in its effect be as tyran
nical and unjust as the abuse Of power in
! its exercise.
Again we appeal 10 the popular braueh
of Congress to adopt Il rule which will
allow consideration in that large body ol
matters eflecting the interests of the one
hundred and eighty thousand people OF
! this District.
Practically the only way TO provide for
such action is to re-establish the rule civ.
ing day or two certain in each month ia
such consideration,