National Republican., 1883-08-16
DISTRICT SUFFRAGE.
Extended Interview on the Subject With
Hon. A. M. Clapp.
His Emphatic Endorsement or the Ballot
and Cogont Reasons Therefor.

A REpuB11cAN reporter yesterday called
upon Hon. a. NJ. Clapp TO ascertain his views
upon the suffrage question, believing that his
opinions would have weight from his long
residence in the district, extending BACK TO
the time when the old corporation was IN
existence aud having lived here continuously
since that time. During the extended period
in which no was in charge of tho government
printing Office Mr.. Clapp became acquainted
with some of our most enterprisng citizens,
and since his reti remcnt from office he has
been thoroughly ide ntifcd with the interests
of the district and the welfare of its inhab-
itants.
The first qu estion asked was the following:
"Are You in favor of restoring to the people
of the District of Columbia, who claim
citizenship and submit to taxation the rights
of suffrage and city governmcnt?'
"Most unequivocally and emphatically-
yes" was the reply, in the most vigorous
voice.
"Will you be kind enough to give your
reasons for favoring restoration OF the bal
lot to the citizens of this dlstrictY'
"In doing So" said Mr.. Clapp, 81 propose
only to speak for myself and those whose
views are in accord with mine on these
questions. ] was gratifcd recently by
perusing the reasons given by VIM. ii. Clag-
gett esq, for advocating restoration Of the
ballot and the right of self government to
the people of this district, and if | had a
copy of that interview | should be tempted
to adopt the reasons he adduCed therefor,
and let those suffice for this occasion. They
are so pertinent, cogent, sensible, and patri-
otic, that | am ready to eXclaim, in the I'M
pulsivc terms of western orator, 'them's my
sentimentsp They have not been answered,
for the reason, no doubt, that they are un-
answerablc.
"Those who decnm against restoring to
the people of the district the dearest right Of
an American citi2en-the right to vote or
their rulers-it seems to me but poorly ap
preciate the rights, privileges, and duties OF
citizenship in Il republic where the people
should rule.
81 am in favor of suffrage here, as else
where throughout this nation, for the reason
that l am American born, of American
parents and have descended from an anccs-
try who bore part in the revolution from
which evolved this government of the peo-
pie, for the people, and by the people, and
which guarantees to every citizen the right
of representation by his vote in the admin
istration of its affairs. My ancestors insisted
upon and exercised the right of suffrage and
l inherit like desire. Under a
representative form of government the
light to vote our preferences il
inalienable, and when congress which rep
reSent5 a voting constituency assumes tC
divast any American citizen, here or else
where of the right to vote 1t usurps power
that is not conferred upon it by the fInda
mental law of this government. If | am q
citizen of the United States where does con.
gress find the authority for robbing me of my
badge of citizenship, which is my right tC
vote. l have enjoyed and exercised this
right since j attained my majority,
until my lot was cast in the District oi
Columbia, the capital of representative
r.p Of nnnt / hou fnrt M tnl
that right. / have never voluntarily surren.
dered it. When / became n resident and
property holder here the people of this dis
trict possessed the ballot. 1t has 81 nee been
withdrawn by an act of congress, but it II
nevertheless theirs by right, and inasmuch a
! am taxed to support the government in
sst upon my right to voice my preferences
through my vote as to who shall administe
its affairs. With me this is a sufficient reason
why should insist upon an early restoration
of that right by the same power which ha
berett me of it,
But many prominent citizens are satisfied
with the present government by commission
YES it is notable circumstance that {
considerable and very respectable class of my
fellow citizens in this district express thei
entire satisfaction with their estate rs politi
cal noncntities. IN this | cannot consent tina
they shall represent myself. Their attitude
on these questions argues q sad indifference
Oh their part as to whether they shall b.
counted as pariahs or citizens and /
they have no higher appreciation of thci
estate as citizens Of peoples government
have tho quarrel with them because of thi
indifference to their inalienable rights Blu
it is not their province to say that | shall b,
bo like unto them and shall submit tamel,
to u violation of my rights because they ar
ind ificrcnt to theirs They are not compelle,
to vote. even if am rehabiltated in the rgh
of suffrage; but deny their right to say tha
l shall surrender my dearest privilege ant
duty as citizen because they do not priz
theirs"
81 am in favor of restoring to this peopl
the right Of self government for the turthe
reason that this district has a population o
nearly or quite 100000. who possess rs higI
an average degree Of intelligence and perso
nal worth as any other district of equal terri
tory and population in the United States, an,
this people, through the action of congress
are permitted only to soiourn here and pa,
taxes and that, too, ut the expense of thei
citizenship and sense of manhood. Here cen
ters tho great wrong of which the peopl
complain, and from which they seek relief
There is not another district nor territoI,
which claims the protection Of the flag OF tn
United States whore such n wrong is tol
Grated or would be attempted"
"What view do you take OF the constitu
tional provision which confers upon congres
the power exclusively to legislate for the Dis
trlct oil Columbia ana upon whlcn the oppt
nents Of suffrage and self government for tn
district plant themselves in making wa
against the individual rights of the people ?
"While am not an exponent of constitu
tional law, feel at liberty to take Commo
sense view of that question. The sectio
quoted should be respected as to its letter an
spirit for all it is worth, but those who a.
tempt to use it ms defense for the perpetrf
tion of palpabe injustice upon American cit
zens pcrvert its spirit and intent and bring
into disrcspect This section goes farther tina
our opponents quote. 1t says, Congress shu
exercise like authority over all places pu
chased by the consent of the legislature
tho state In which the same shall be- for I'll
erection of forts, magazines arsenals, doc
yards, and other needful buildings and
make oil laws which shall be necessary f
carrying into execution the foregoing power
and all other powers vested by this consttl
tion in the government of the Unite
States, or in any department or oilic,
thereof" No one denies to congress
"like authority" over tho District
Columbia as is exercised over the 9TH
territory acquired by purchase from Il
states. Congress has clear right of jursdi
tion over this property to the extent of cree
ing public buildings and protecting them
legislation, the same Us in the states. !
where outside Of the District Of Columbia h
congress attempted to legislate away
nlienable right of suffrage while under I'll
provision of the constitution, if IL has {
right here it has it elsewhere in the Unit
States where it holds property, for it
'alike authority" which applies to all SUI