The bee., 1883-08-04
MOVING FOR SUFFRAGE.
MEETING IN EAST wA5HINGToN-A
PERMANENT ORG ANLzATIoN Eff
FECTBD--RENARKs oF-JUDGE HAIR
RS AND OTHERS.


The citizeas-ef-EastA Washington
began last Tuesday evening in prac-
teal way to agitate the suffrage ques-
lion. BY previous notice, quite re-
spectacle gathering of the best citizens
on the Hill met at Washington Hall,
corner of Third street and Pennsylya-
MIA avenue. f E. 5.l
y little after S O'Clock Judge George
L, Harris, an ex-memDer of Congress
from Mississippi, called the meeting
to order. antl proceeded to state its OBJ
jccts. The Judge said as he under
stood it the purpose was to form an
organization which would have for its
object the putting in motion the ball
which should continue to roll until
every man in the District of Columbia
twenty-0ne years of age and not con-
victed of crime should enjoy the same
privileges that citizens or other sec
tionS Of the country enjoyed-the
right to vote. Loud and prolonged
Cheers He said that the citizens of
this District were as honest, as intelli-
gent and as capable of self-government
aS the citizens of any other city in the
United States, and those who oppose
suffrage are anti-Democratic, anti-Re-
publican, and are not worthy to be
called an Independent people. Every
one was aware of the course pursued
10y Congress toward the people of this
District. and it would continue the
same course until the end of time if
the people did not agitate the question
for themselves. We are governed
without a voice; our taxes are levied
and collected by strangers. This was
contrary to every principle of self
government as understood by our fore
fathers. We are 10000 strong. or
at least 5000 voters, legal voters. dis
franchised by Congress. The consti
tuition does not prohibit the right of
franchise here, but Congress did. 1t
was an arbitrary power. Congress it
self was elected by the people of all
the States, and every State and Terri
tory in the Union had a voice in the
councils of the nation and the man
agement of their own affairs except
the people of the District of Columbia.
The Judge alluded in pretty plain
language to an article in one of the
city morning papers, and then said
there were three propositions for the
government of this District, either one
of which would be preferable TO the
present management, for there should
be no taxation without representation.
First. let Congress enfranchise the
people by fixing some qualification or
other, either education or property.
Second, give us city government
like New York, st. Louis or any of the
great cities, or give us State govern
ment. We have the population (yes,
a greater population than Rhode
Island but let CongressIstill have sole
and exclusive jurisdiction over every
thing belonging to the general govern
ment Third, remand the District
back to the State of Maryland, Con-
gress. of course, reServing control over
all property belonging to the United
States. People must know their
rights before they could appreciate
them; and it is about time. said the
.Inhun thatteaaneGnls fnS this this nHiafffTijSst nHiafffTijSst
remarks, Mr.. T. E. Howard. secretary
OF former preliminary meeting, read
the report OF the committee appointed
on a former occasion to prepare resOlu-
tlonS and make such recommendation
as 10 a permanent organization as they
might deem wise, The report recon-
mended that the organization be
known as the East Washington Suf-
frage Association Agreed to.
1t was ordered that president, two
'lce-presldentS, secretary, assistant
secretary and treasurer be elected
Judge Harris was elected permanent
,hairman, George w. Stewart and II
(. Maryman, vice-president; S. W.
ierbert, secretary; G. G. Stewart, as
lStant secretary. and Mr.. A. Camp-
'ell, treasurer.
Mt Moore then made motion that
committee be appointed to visit diff
erent sections Of the city and urge
pom the people the necessity of or
with view of making a
Sht Tor suffrage when Congress meets. t
greed to.
Mojor Richards and Mr.. A. Camp- .
I'll made remarks in favor of suffrage. +
ther speakers were present and sub I
Tilted a few brief remarks. after {
hlch the meeting adjourned subject a
call of the chairman. n
MI. 7. =. Stewart made the follow r
g speech which was enthusiastically Ii
ceived =,
Mr. Chairman: believe | am fully fl
qualnted with the great response
Ity and the requirements necessary L
properly lay this question before the a,
Nt Congress. | know, sir. it will re- in
Ire a man of uncommon executive CT
q intellectual ability, one who is able S,
cope with the great constitutional in
5uments that will be introduced by siI
committees of the Senate and w
use OF Representatives, man who Je
given this important question his nu
eful consideration. and | have risen int
nominate man who, / am satisfied he
hll all these requirements. one SUI
ose eloquence was an era in the
use OF Representatives, peculiar and ire
ntaneous, familiarly expressing ag;
intlc wisdom that resembled dis
letllneS thunder and sometimes the ius
Sic of the spheres; one who will ut Dor
his feelings in thoughts that on
'the and words that burn a man a II
VIII kindle flame, which will find wa,
lltar In every heart. and burn; to thr
5 the opposing and prejudiced allie
OpdllPS ana their Dptty intara.{. CT =,