Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-08-06
Mr.. VIM. II. Ciaactt upon Suffrage.
Why HE FAyORS IT.

Why HE FAvORS IT.
'Are you in favor OF suffrage In the District Of
Columbian" asked STAR reporter OF Mr. VIM. H.
Clagett this morning.
81 prefer republican form OF government to q
bureaucracy" said Mr.. Clagett.
"Why do you want to vote?" asked the re-
porter.
II want to vote" said Mr. Clagett, "because
| am over tw ,nty-one years OF age, an 1nhabitant
OF the Untrd States, a native, white. no legal
disabilities, and want to be a citizen; because
pay taxes, have no voice as to the amount have
spent, and because the government OF The United
states have no right 10 tax me without giving
States claiming legislative Jurisdiction have no
time or disDostion 20 give our local wants
proner constderat on, its indivilull members no
local interest In common WITH our people, that the
aggregate intelligence OF the people or the District
OF Columbia compares favOrab]y with the aggre-
gate Intelligence or Congress as regards legislation
for our local aT hrs; bscauie to be dSirlEchiSod
Is political generalization, creates exclusive gov
ernnenis, ignores the source OF all power-the
Te1ple-ierrveS the people OF all interest in their
gov rnncnt. educates them 70 look for power other
than In themselves and ilCulcateS cenir alZation;
taught me that every man eligible under tie law
should have,a voice In the government; because as
an individual feel perfectly competent to attend
to my own affairs. and willing give active coop
Grafton with my observation-disclosures 10 manage the
local affairs OF the District OF Columbia"
"Hop ahOut the government paying its part Of
the reporter.
sThe bureaucratists of the District Of Column
Ola," Said Mr. Clagett, fear that the enfranchSc
lnent or the people OF the District OF Columbia
would cause he government or the United States
~ Mn ee pyna o, parr 4s one
OF the expense OF the District OF Columbia was
granted by Congress after many years Of due con-
slderation that it was equity 10 DO so, IN consider
alton OF the fact that the U. s government was
the possessor OF one-half OF the real estate In
value, and has equal benefits OF all the depart
notice. wafer.
flrc department &C.. anl not as Consideration that
the people SHOULD be DISTINGUISHED, otherwise
m my OF the ople would have protested AMI re-
fused the stipend. The government could not
show any good reason why it should not contract
to pay its proper proportion OF the expense under
REPUBLICAN form OF government"
"hoW " about Congress granting the people the
"AS regards the question OF power OF Congress OF
delgatng its legsla tive jurisdiction, mir Clagett
said: VT IS held by many able minds that the
power conferred upon Congress to exclusive legis-
latve Jurisdiction was in contradiStincton to the
power or the stateS-Maryland and Virgina-who
rIennquished their political rights over the terri
tory cee! oy them; that the right of these states
TO grant the power to dis.ranchi5e the people did
not lie In them, nor could Congress assume that
power, otherwise the tnaenable right OF tax
payers 10 representation is myth. Congress has
long since exercised the power to renquish Its
ie ISL jurisdiction over an tnat original part
mae river,ard given the citizens OF Virginia exclu-
slve legislative jurisdiction overit II this action
by Congress was constitutional, the same power
exits TO grant to the people inhabitng the part OF
tne District lying east Of the Potomac the right to
govern themselves"
"Do you think tins people could govern them
SelveS?" asked the repor. err.
~ have fun faith in the people," answered Mr.
Clagett. ''The troubles and recklessness of the
late government did not arise from suffrage but
10 the contrary, the late territorial government
was what might be called tadpole bureaucracy
When IT lost its caudle append ye the thing the
eVclut!on OK government, developed into the pres
ent term OF government, bureaucracy pure and
simple, 4 form or government that no member of
Congress dare advocate for or among his own con-
Stituency"