National Republican., 1883-04-11
SUFFRAGE In THE DISTRICT
Quarterly Meeting Of the Republican Central
Committee Last Night
Speech by Hon. A. NJ. CIapp-yigorous
Resolutions Adopted.

The regular quarterly meeting of the re-
publican central committee Of the District OF
Columbia was held at Shea's hall last night.
Hon. A. Nj. Clapp occupied the chair Prof.
]. NJ. Gregory secretary. Andrew ]. Donald
son and James Record were appointed to the
vacancies existing in the delegations from
the nineteenth and twelfth legislative dis
tricts caused by the designations Of Phil Jul
lien and Arthur Shepherd. Mr.. George
Holmes, from the committee appointed at the
last meeting last year 10 wait on the President
and present the name of A. M. Clapp for dis
trict commissioner, reported that the COM
mittee had performed that duty. Mr.. Clapp
thanked the committee for the interest they
had taken in his behalf The result was long
ago known, and he had no fault to find, as
the President no doubt consulted his own sense
of duty in the determination Of the question.
At all events, Mr.. Clapp said il was not re-
Rarded rs good law practice to make
an argument in a case after the decision had
been rendered. The result is, perhaps, as
fortunate as could have been expected in
district where the people have ceased to be
citizens and are not recognized in the power
of self-government. A city Of one hundred
and eighty thousand people, within sight of
the national capitol, devoid Of the right OF
suffrage, is without parallel in any re-
publican form of government in the
world. In view of these facts an
important responsibility rests upon tho
republican central committee of the District
of Columbia. That duty points to the recov-
cry Of the rights Of citizenship, which weare
denied. II has been said that tho people of
the district are satisfied with their present
lot. If that be so there is no evidence of 1t,
for that question has never been tested since
congress- in its wisdom, disfranchised this
people. l have no doubt, indeed | feel as
sured, that there is deep public sentiment
here in favor of the right of suffrage
and self government, and that that feeling
is entertained without regard to political
party distinctions. l am convinced that a
large portion Of the democrats of the district
are ready to join hands with the men Of any
party in an effort TO secure to this people the
dearest rights of American citzenship-the
right of being represented when they are
taxed. invoke the full cooperation Of every
member of this committee in behalf of meas
ures that will lead to n restoration of all our
rights as American citizens. The prejudice
of race and color may have something
to do with inspiring an opposi-
tion to the right of self government,
but so long as the constitution of the United
States recognizes the colored man, equally
with the white man, as an American citizen,
no such objection should prevail with men of
patriotic impulses and intelligent minds.
Leaving this committee to shape its own con-
may dictate, leave the question for its con-
sideration.
After Mr.. Clapp had concluded his remarks,
Mr.. j. II. Crossman, Gen. L. w. Whitaker,
Mr.. j. II. Smith, Mr.. George Holmes, and
Mr.. Andrew Gleason were appointed COM
mittee to draw up resolutions and after re-
cess of twenty minutes, Mr.. Holmes reported
the following:
Resolved, That the "bl Of rights of the state of
Maryland, which was adopted by that state prior
tothe time that she ceded that portion of her ter
rltory known as the District OF Columbia to the
United States, provided that the right of suffrage
should mover be restricted within her borders.
Resolted That II was expressly stipulated In
ceding said territory to the United States that all
rights enjoyed by the people of this district under
the state of Maryland should continue to be en-
joyed and held sacred to them and their descend
Resolved, That the total disfranchisoment of our
people by the congress OF the United States, under
Se as PtSe form o. goy
violation Of the contract by and between the
United States and the state of Maryland, as we'll as
the Declaration of Independence, which Is the
foundation principle upon which the national
government rests.
Resoiued That we are opposed to the present
form Of government In this district, and partcu-
arly protest against the appointment of democrats
IN any capacity to execute the laws under re-
publican administration.
Resolved That we believe It to be the duty of
all true republicans TO sustain the position of
nissiOners.
ResoIred That we unquaiHedly condemn the
action OF the republicans OF the Iowa delegation
In congress who indorsed n democrat for commits
sionor in the District of Columbia.
Resolved, That we will aid in every possible
manner the establishment of an elective govern
ment for this city, and we also recommend the
establishment Of a daily paper to aid such moye-
ment In the interest Of the citizens
Mr.. Holmes said that the main argument
against suffrage in the district was that tho
government paid 80 per cent. of the expenses
of the district and that that support would
be withdrawn If an elective form of govern
ment was established. Mr.. Holmes said that
it seemed to him that the government owed
80 per cent. of the expenses under any form
of government If it was the form of gov
ernment it was paying for, then the
citizens of the district were swindling the
government by receiving money they were
not entitled to. The resolutions were unan-
imously adopted, and it was agreed to send a
copy of them to the Iowa state republican
committee. On motion of Gen. Whitaker
$25 was contributed by the committee to-
wards defraying the expenses of the emanci-
patton celebration, and on motion of Col.
Perry Carson 1t was resolved to take part in
the emancipation parade. The committee
then adjourned until the second Tuesday in
May.