National Republican., 1883-07-21
SUFFRAGE IN THE DISTRICT.
What MIR. w. G. Murdock Has TO Say
Upon the Subject.

Upon the Subject.
In pursuance of the determination of THE
REPUBLICAN to ascertain the views of all
classics of citizens upon the question of suf-
irage in the district reporter yesterday
called upon Mr.. w. c. Murdock, gentleman
who had considerable experience with The
territorial government, but who, having
amassed a competency, is now practicing law.
what do you think of suffrage for the dis
trict2" asked the reporter.
Broadly, that the people are entitled to
it," was the reply. "Our race has been fight
ing for the privilege for centuries. That gov
ernmeut, as u force acting upon our people,
receives its sanction from the consent of the
people governed, is admitted as an automatic
| truth lying at the very foundation Of our sys-
ten. Under the present form of government
in the district We have no voice in anything.
| Laws are made for u.s. taxes levied, commits
| sioncrs appointed TO govern us, judges to OK
pound the laws, marshals to execute upon our
| property, police to arrest citizens, exorbi-
| taut and excessive penalties which Cypress
the poor and unfortunate are attached to the
non-payment of taxes; our houses are Invaded
by inspectors, our business licensed, our
| places of worship and amusements regulated,
| all without our consent"
Would you go back to mob rule"
We'll, the strength of any chain is governed
4 DY llS Wedkt5J INK. II une lpUOTHnU masses
| are not TO be trusted with the making of laws.
then tho proposition that man is capable of
| self government is false. 1t Will not do to
say that some men are capable of self govern
ment that is the doctrine of despots, aud
leads directly, by logical sequence, to oligar-
| chy and despotism. Now, believe in q gov
| ernmunt of the people, by the people, and for
the people, and l believe that the most ig-
norant community should be allowed to gov
crn its own affairs. If. at first they do not
succeed experience will teach them"
"Do you remember the feather duster leg
islature2'
81 do. That was very exceptional term.
Tho war had just closed the masses of our
people were in measure demoralized; n
great mass of ignorant negroes were thrown
upon our community; the close of the war had
stranded here In Washington q mass of itine-
rant politicians from all sections of the
country we had INSCRIPTIONS citizens among
ourselves, and we were brought face to face
with an exigency in our political life which
was developed by our geographical situation.
1t never can occur again. 1t was the result
of two monstrous evils--slavery and war--and
IL Is cruel and moro than mOnstrous to hold
us responsible for such q condition Of affairs
No such condition exists at the present time.
Our people are quiet, law abiding, intelli-
gent community, equal, if not superior, TO
any community in the country. If we are
not capable of managing our own affairs no
community in this or any other country ever
will be.
do you know that great many of our
citizens are opposed to return to the old
systemy
"That is no reason why they should not
be held to the responsibility of citizenship.
1t were just as logical to say that because
they were opposed to the payment of taxes
they should be relieved therefrom. Gov
ernment is u debt due from the citizen to the
community in which he lives, and he might,
with the same propriety. ask to bo relieved
from serving on grand jury as to be relieved
from serving as public officer
to the community which is protecting
his life, his liberty, and his property. Such
people are lazy and do not want the trouble
of government. They are bad citizens 1t
was such men in early times that sold the
liberty of Greece to Phillip and allowed the
purple of Rome to be sold / auction. Such
were not the men who gave up comfort
home life itself, through the long centuries
to build up the great charters of our liberties
the benefit of which these men are willing
should be denied us. that they may sleep in
idleness and safety"
"What would you propose in place of ouI
present system W ...f.a.
" | do not know. / have not thoughtsuf
ficiently upon that subject. l am not pre-
sumptous enough to imagine that l could
think it out. Such n proposition would re-
quire community of wisdom. Anything
would suit me that would be analogous to the
government of other cities. Our relations tt
the general government and the vast
extent of public property in oui
city makes it necessary that the
United States should be represented There
should be but one head, a small coun
Gil, a representative in congress. The council
with the executive approval might pass ordi
nances and congress might reserve negative
upon all laws passed. The details of such
system would be subject for wise aud delib
crate consultation"
Would you limit suffrage?"
Taxation and representation are linked
together. The people who are taxed for
specific purpose should be the persons to vott
on that subject. So far as the eXpenditur,
of public funds went | certainly should favo
property qualification. On all other sub
jects, as all were equally interested, woult
favor general suffrage