Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-08-04
CITY AND DISTRICT.
OPPOSED 10 SUFFRAGE.
Why Mr.. John A. Baker FayOrs the
Present Form Of Government

Why 1fr. John A. Baker EayOrs the
Present Form of Government
There are two classes OF citizens here who
favor suffrage" said Mr.. John A. Baker, as he
dropped his pen this morning and turned to an
swer the questions of STAR reporter. Zone is
the party Of plumber that hope to profit by a
return 10 old methods; the other good. honest
citizens, who are ideaiists, or men who have
been disappointed in some way. There is the
man, also, who feels that that is mismanaged
government that he has no voice in. He may
be an aspirant for aldermanic honors. That
man has strikers. and these strikers constitute
q large part Of the class that desire suffrage.
One man goes in IOr suffrage because he be-
leyes he alone can administer the affairs of the
District government properly; another because
he can use this man when elected to office. The
average striker wants to have the rum and
riot and the general fanfaronade of election
time. They represent the same element
that constituted the feathcr-duster legislature
Another man who objects to the present form of
government is the man who from Oyer-Zeal or
good nature is a mcdder. is always seeking
offices for his friends or his friends friends. He
goes to the District Commissioners and fails to
get these offices. He is opposed to the District
government because he is not listened to. He
thinks man ought to get office not on account
OF merit, but on account of his own imaginary
influence. He il pi4uPd. His better Judgment
Is not in favor of suffrage. but his preiudices
override it. As said, there is class OF men
here who are idealists. who would give up the
substance for the idea that it is the inalienable
right OF the American citizen to vote 1t is a
Uere sentiment. ideal and absurd because
practically, they have more control over
their officers through the Presi-
dent. who appoints, and the
Congress that sits in review, than it is possible
to have over officers who are elected Both the
executive and legislative power cripple the
wings of our present officers, and deprive them
oil ability to do harm. There is really greater
facilities for redress of grievances and for relief
FROM incompetency or dishonesty under the
Present form OF government than anv other
When man is elected to Office he holds his
place. and you can't get rid of him till his term
expires"
You are credited, Mr.. Baker, said the re-
porter. with being one OF the gentlemen who
1ncubated the present form of government
WHAT influenced your action them"
You knew. a. every one knows said Mr.
Baker that at that period Washington was in
very bad Odcr before the country and before
Congress 1t smeiied loudly in the nostriis of
the whole country. Washington was a syno-
nym for all that was corrupt in municipal affairs
and the action OF the featherduser legislature
was held up as q renrOach To our city. Myself
and other gen.lcmen-Nr.R Riggs Mr. H. c. Fox.
Mr.. Lewis J. Davis. Mr. c. s. Noyes. Mr.. Walter
Jiayidge and ether members OF the executive
committee of one hundred--concluded that it
was time some effort was made in the direction
of order and good government. The District
was largely in debt. Money affairs were i'm
hopeless disorder. 1t was determined that
ii was time to get some relief. We not
only secured Il form of government but we
secured appropriations for the District We
got Congress to provide for Onc-half of the ex-
penses of the District government. The inspi-
ration OF suggestion of the new form OF govern
Elent Came from that which originally obtained
here when Washington was made the capital of
the country. Congress lett Philadelphia and
Came to Washington because il wanted some
territory where il would be free from political
disturbances This territory was selected and
government by three Commissioners was pro-
yded."
do you think the city has benefited by re-
turning to this form of rOyernment:n asked the
reporter.
'0ne great benefit" said Mr. Baker, sis the
appropriation from Congress which makes our
city the lowest taxed city in the country Prom
eTty Is very moderately assessed. and we pay
less taxes than the people of any other city.
Then quiet prevails here. The character OF the
city and the city government is such as to induce
the good opinion and good will of the whole
country. Ii is rare to find man who opposes
appropriations to beautify Washington. The
present government is. think model govern
nent The CITY is wei lighted and polced. and
all the functions OF the city government are so
efficiently discharged that it has become a
model for other city governments. think it is
the best municipal form OF government of any
city I'm the world, ami one on which all might be
modelled
Then | suppose you are opposed to restoring
SUFFRAGE"
Il am said Mr.. Baker. as he resumed his
pen Il have not felt that have been deprived
OF any liberty. The strongest tyranny in the
world is the tyranny OF legislature elected by
mob"