National Republican., 1883-08-15
DISTRICT SUFFRAGE.
An Interesting Interview on the Subject With
Mr.. Henry A. Willard.
lie Believes in n Commission Government
and Is Opposed TO Suffrage.

the subject. Mr.. Willard has been resident OF
this city for thirty-five years, has acquired
large property interests here, and is probably as
deeply interested in the prosperity and ad-
vanccment OF the national capital as any
other citizen, IIo was the vice president of
the board of public works after the appoint
ment of Alexander r. Shepherd as governor,
and held that position until tho territorial
government was abolished. Although often
solicited, that is the only public Office he has
ever held, yet he has been keen observer OF
events in the district, and his advice and in
formation have been frequently sought by
members of congress when distr let affairs
were being considered
"Do you believe in the government of the
district by commissioners, Mr.. Willard" was
the first question put by the reporter
al do" was the reply, "and for this reason.
In clause IL section 3, article of the consti-
tuition, among tho enumerated powers OF
congress is the following: TO exercise cX-
elusive legislation in all cases whatsoever
over such district mot exceeding ten miles
square) as may, by ccssion of particular
states, and tho acceptance of congress, become
tho, seat of government of the United States.
This. | believe, vests in congress absolute
legislative authority in regard to the District
of Columbia without any reservation to the
people of the district at all. The original
government Ol tnc ulsJrlCJ wis III bne MINUS
of board of three commissioners appointed
under tho act of July l6, 1893. Then the
commissioners were abolished by the act of
May l, 1902; and it was provided that the af-
fairs should be under the direction of super
intendcnt TO be appointed by the president.
The government of the city at this time was
directly by legislation of congress; but as 1t
was anticipated the growing wants of tho
city would require local municipal lcgisa'
ton, which it would be inconvenient always
to be obliged to apply to congress for, char
ter was given to the city, approved May .,
1902.
The mayor was appointed by the president
and the council elected by the free white tax
payers. No authority was extended over the
streets and avenues other than that the cor
poration was permitted to keep them in re-
pair agreeGbly to the plan of said city. This
charter was renewed from time to time with
extended power. Meanwhile the interest of
the United States passed into the control of
an officer known as the commissioner of pub
lie buildings and grounds now the engineer
in charge of public buildings and grounds.
Then the change to the territorial gov
ernment came, and now we have returned to
the original form of government, viz. that
by three commissioners"
"rhen you think there is no necessity for
any further delegated powers by the govern
ment?'
~ certainly do We are prohibited from
Young LOT pTeSluenU OF representatives. huu
the general government has never relin-
quished its control over all the streets and
avenues; in fact, it never delegated this con-
troll"
But improvements were made on the
streets by the old corporation"
Yes, | know that; but it was contrary to
the spirit and intentions of the founders of
the government when the capital city was
located. 1t was then provided that the lots
owned by the government should be sold and
the proceeds go toward improving the streets
and the avenues The lots were sold, but the
money derived from their sale was diverted
from its original purpose and used in con-
structing the public buildings. | think that
all the improvements of streets and avenues
should be made by the government as they
are now. During the days of the old corpora
tiOn we were compelled to beg congress when
we wanted any money for improvements, and
it was also the case during the territorial
government. Now, congress has at this late
day come to its senses, and recognizes the re-
lations to the district of the general govern
ment in appropriating one half of the eX-
penses annually. This is an act of justice
long delayed"
"How about the improvements made by the
board of public works, of which, | believe,
you were member?'
THE territorial government, of which the
board of public works was part, had II mis-
sion TO fulfill which it nobly performed. At
that time there was general talk about
moving the capital. Our people had fingered
along without showing any enterprise, and
the condition of the city was Il positive dis
grace. Alex. Shepherd and few clearheaded
men saw that unless something was done the
seat of government would be removed. The
territorial bill was passed and the board
of public works entered upon its com
prehensivo system of improvements. No
man except Gov. Shepherd, with his
wonderful energy and executive capacity
could have performed the amount of work
that was accomplished during the brief exist
ence of the board of works The transforma-
ton of the city from u dirty mud hole to q
we'll payed and beautifully parked city was
made with almost incredible rapidity. The
old canal which was q fruitful source of dis
ease was obliterated, and on its site is hand
some, well paved street. The system OF
sewerage laid out by the board was as perfec t
as in any city in the country, and tho capital
city is one of which the nation may well be
proud. But the territorial government and
the board of public works accomplished their
mission and are things of the past"
"How about tho one-third special assess
ment which caused so much complaint and
hardship"
well in my opinion, the whole cost of the
improvements made should have been paid
by the government. There should have been
no special assessment upon the citizens at all.
But congress- in its annual approximations for
the interest OF the deDG created Dy Jhe I'M
provemcnts, is now doing tardy justice to the
district"
"You believe then that government by
commissioners is the best for the district"
"Ycs; as ! have said before think gov
ernment by commission is more economical
and works with less friction than any other
FORM
"Do you think wo should have delegate
in congress"
mo; l don't sec the necessity. The com
mssioncrs can go directly to congress. They
answer all the purposes of a delegate"
Would you have tho commissioners ap
pointed or allow the citizens to have a voic
in their selectionY'
"I can't SEQ where we should be benefited
by any change in the present arrangement o
their appointment by the president TIL
president is just as apt TO select a good MAJ
for appointment as the citizens would be t
nominate one to vote for. And then in tn
present arrangement there is no party strife
as there would be in an election"
"Then you are not in favor of suiirageH'
81 am not. don't see why we need sui
frage. Taking the view | do of the absolut
control Of the affairs of the district by con
gress, there is no necessity for suffrage herr
The property holders would not go to tn
polls, and the majority of the voters woul
be a class that has no interest in voting saw
as a means TO get office. l am decidedly OF
posed 20 any suffrage here. Its re-establisl