National Republican., 1883-08-04
SUFFRAGE IN THE DISTRICT.
Capt. II. w. Tyler's Views-Changes
Which He Suggests In the Present Form

Cant. n. w. Tyler's Vtews-Chnnges
Which He Suggests I'm the Present Form
OF Government.
"what is your idea as to change in the
present form of district government ?" asked
REPUBLICAN reporter yesterday of Capt
r. w. Tyler, of the firm of Rutherford &
Tyler, real estate agents.
81 think the present form wrong in theory
and defective in practice" was tho reply
I'm common with all other citizens of the
district desire to keep up the present tinan-
cial arrangement with the government
by which congress pays one-half the
district expenses. To do that
think the United States should be represented
in the government of the district. / don't
believe in three commissioners. Neither
one of them seems to be responsible for any
thing. You go down there and you are sent
from one to tho other, and they all have to
get the information you want from subor-
dinate. The ono who controls the police
don't know anything about assessments, the
one who controls the assessments don't know
anything, about the police, and the one who
controls the streets don't know anything
about either. think there should be but
one executive officer"
"Would you have him appointed or elected?"
"I would rather have him elected, but then,
/ suppose, he should bo appointed. think
we ought to have u representative in con-
gress, to be elected by the people, and be-
lieve this is the opinion of q majority of the
members of congress. l have talked
with good many of them, and
they have generally said they thought
In addition I would have a legislative
council elected by the people. This council
should have clearly defined legislative duties
/ would not restrict suffrage by any educa-
4 hall fbn
former to be good idea and regarding the
latter as subversive of republican principles.
| would impose a poll tax, however, as is done
almost everywhere in the country"
"What advantages would this plan give,
think yOu2"
"In the first place II would recognize the
fundamental idea on which the country Is
founded tho consent Of those governed Tho
great majority Of the Taxpayers would be rep.
resented then. They are not represented
now. The very rich men are, the poorer ones
are not. Let poor man or a small property
owner go TO the present board of commission
ers on business He receives no attention at
all, nor is any request he may make granted.
Let millionaire, however, or 4 very rich
man, go to the commissioners and he
is treated with the utmost courtesy and
respect, and he can get everything he wants.
He can entertain congressman and conse-
quently is person to be Conciliated. If this
council was composed of men from various
sections Of the city, the inhabitants of the
whole district would feel that they were rep
resented in the government and
tion in every way than exists at
present. The executive, officer could
have the veto power so ss TO be check upon
the council, aud then there need be no fear
Of extravaganza, and each section would get
its due proportion of needed improvements.
Now on the square where live we have been
trying in vain to get the alley in the square
graded so that we could have sewer conuec-
tions, but without avail. That is on Capitol
hill. see that we are likely to have some
assistance now, and Pm glad of it. We
need it.n