National Republican., 1883-10-15
pair. but the benefit to the district would be

outrage on the people ofthis district was the WORK
we had republican form Of government in the
district Capt Green would have TO go.
Mr.. Watson said that IL an address ia pre-
sented TO congress at its next session and n
charter asked for IL will be granted. The
people are stronger for suffrage now than ever
before. The objections against a popular
government in the district have passed away.
The time for action has arrived. Mon aro
being imported from the states to fill all of
our Offices A man from Maine has been
brought here and installed as judge. II am
not afraid of the Star or Pos" said the speaker,
with vehemenoe; their ridicule is of no avail.
No patriotic man denies that we ought to have
the right to vote for congressman. The people
of Washington want facts and arguments pre-
sented to them. Permanent evils have resulted
from our present triumvirato government
which will cost millions of dollars.
"There is not doubt that nearly every kind
Of work dono by tho West Point engineers is
failure, OF cost too much The intercepting
sower in New York avenue and through the
white lot was devised by me. Mai. Twining
admitted that West Point engineers know
nothing about city work, but so far rs he
knew my plan of this sewer was correct. Yet
Capt. Hoxie spoiled it in the route and CON
struction. 1t took three years to build It,,
whilo by my plan 1t would have taken only
one year. and at half tho cost. By my plan il
would have proved a complete success, while
Hoxie made IL a complete failure. Thon the
boundary sewer, which has cost 81, 100000, is
doubtless unnecessary, and will provo fail
ure. And this money was greatly needed in
repairing the sidewalks, which for many
years have been in deplorabe condition.
The streets for horses are better than the side
walks for pedestrians.
"And then, l am prepared to assert, without
fear of successful contradiction, that Hoxie
and the other West Point engineers are de-
80 NIo WoS ,Ns,fn har H., .NIo,
to fill the Potomac flats, first proposed by
Shepherd, was easily defeated for many years,
and during the last four years, every time it
was brought before committee of congress ID
failed. Two years ago, when IL was brought
up in the house in q separate bill and con-
sidered upon its own merits, it was very
badly defeated. Notwithstanding this, the
Star and the West Point engineers succeeded
in getting 100000 on the infamous river and
| harbor bill to commence the destruction of
the harbor. The President did his duty in
vetoing this infamous bill, but congress
passed IL over his head, which act caused the
defeat of some thirty members. At the last
session the river and harbor bill, with $780,:
900 for the fats was laid on the table in the
senate. At tho coming session, doubtless, no
appropriation can be got for this infamous
spoliation.
LASTLY, the West Point engineers are about
to spoil the Washington aqueduct, unless
| StOppOu Dy congress-. ne melRS plHn WAS 10
build q surface conduit four miles long at q
cost of $l,4s0,0o0, appropriated. But Maj.
| Lydecker and Capt. Hoscie are about to con-
struct tunnel conduit $50 feet below the
surface, which cannot be done in five years.
at double the cost, and must prove lamonta-
BILE failure. No precedent for such an insane
job can be shown anywhere on the EARTH
So much for West Point engineering during
tho last nine years in this city. No such
costly and palpable failures can be shown in
any city in charge of civil engineers"
Capt. Albert Grant, of East Washington,
said: 81 am not In favor Of any man or news
paper that opposes suffrage. The citizens are
rapidly ripening for this movement. Such
and imposing organization can be effected
here in favor of suffrage that congress will be
induced to act favorably. Over 100000 citi-
zens are deprived Of their rights Petitions
should be circulated in every ward of the
city, and they will be signed by fully three
fourths of the people, regardless of what the
| Post and Star may have to say in opposition"
Tho speaker then moved that a committee
Of fifteen democrats and republicans be ap-
pointed by tho chair, to perfect plan of or
| ganization. The motion was adopted, and
Chairman Clapp stated that he would an
nounce the names at the next meeting.
DIR. E. A. Adams stated that funds were
necessary to defray the expenses attending
the movement. He was unanimously elected
treasurer, and several healthy contributions
were placed in his hands by those present.
Surgeon General Hamilton, in a short ad-
dress, said that the law of 1903 had never
been repealed. 1t gave to the citizens of this
district the right to vote and elect their own
officers That fact should be mentioned in
the memorial to congress. The act In question
was q law to incorporate the city of Washing
ton and provided for the election annually of
q mayor and common council.
Mr.. John ii. Crane spoke of the abuses the
| citizens of Washington are subjected to under
| the present form of government.
Mr.. Charles II. Bliss said tho citizens should
| 40 to work add recover what has been lost.
| He moved that committee of three be ap-
pointed to collect statistics showing the OK
penditure of the peoples money under the
present form of government as compared with
the old. He thought that the present govern
memo costs the people ten times as much as it
ought to. 1t is time that the citizens began
to look to their interests and demand from
congress their full rights.
Chairman Clapp was called for and in re-
ply said in forcible manner, 1--WE have a
| grievance here and q penacea for all our woes
is to receive the full benefit Of suffrage. The
| only way we can escape the actions of the
present government is to ask congress for q
change. 1t is scarcely known throughout the
| United States that o city of 100000 inhabi-
tants is withouta o voice in its own govern
ment. Very few of the new members of con-
gress are aware Of this state Of affairs, and are
surprised when they learn of 1t. The fact
should be made known to Journalists all over
the country. We are simply demanding an
abstract right, and public sentiment should
be inaugurated."
Messrs Bliss, Watson, and Burr were ap-
pointed q committee ON relative statistics.
Capt. Grant announced that healthy and
positive suffrage organization was forming in
East Washington and another in West Wash
ington. ave can't have too many auxil-
liaries" he said, "or too much action. 1t
will require a much larger hall than this to
contain all the people who want suffrage,
when the fact that We are at work becomes
known" The meeting then adjourned sub
ject to the call Of the chairman.
A Humorous POstmnster.
Gen. Elmer has been stirring up the man