National Republican., 1884-03-01
ROSECRANS'S BILL.
What Prominent Citizens Think Of His Plan Of
Suffrage.
The wish for n Representative Govern
ment Strongly Expressed.

The bill proposed by Gen. Rosecrans, rep
rcscntatiye from California, for the govern
mont Of the District of Columbia by popular
voice. has created much comment among
the citizens of this city. The bill provides
for the election of two of tho commissioners
by vote aud the appointment of the third
commissioner by tho President. 1t is pro-
posed that the election shall be by new and
novel plan, which renders illegal registration
and voting impossible 1t also provides to
do away with polling places and the attend
ant rioting aud confusion.
Interviews were had with number of
merchants and others yesterday by REPUBL-
CAN reporters in reference to the proposition
of Gen. Rosecran,. The discovery was made
that nearly all Of the business people who
hitherto had opposed suffrage favored the
proposed y an. 1t was evidenced that large
majority of the merchants want improved
suffrage.
Mr. j. Karr, jewelcr 62o Pennsylvania
avenue said THE people Of the district
should enjoy the rign II electing their
officers just the same as people of other
cities do. The goyernmcnl, of course should
have one representative on the board of COM
missioncrs. | favor the proposal bull"
Mr.. W. b. Moses, furniture dealer, Seventh
and Market Space: II favor Gen. Rosecran =
plan, although / was opposed to the old
method. | believe in II property qualitca-
ton"
Mr.. c. NJ Bell, photographer, 463 and 465
Pennsylvania avenue northwest: 81 think it
would be au eXcelont thing for the district.
The people of the District of Columbia should
be self governed. 1t is not right to bring in
outsiders as commissioners, who have no
interest in our affairs
Mr.. j. Strasburger, boots and shoes, 46l
Pennsylvania avenue: 81 think it would be Il
very good thing. Give our people the choice
6 .I,,,. ,tt,tt,y I NM bxy
we should not have say in the matter"
Mr.. +. NJ. Beall, bookstore, Pennsylvania
avenue: IL have not read Gen. Rosecrans'
proposition. The present system suits me-"
MIR. Louls Dieterich, merchant tailor 345
Pennsylvania avenue 1T is a good idea and
should be adopted. As the matter stands
now the people of Washington 10000 voters
are deprived of their rights as American
citizens"
DR.. J. II. Bonebrake, Of 1913 East Capitol
street: at is the best plan yet devised for
suffrage in the district
MIR. r. B. Ferguson druggist, Second street
and Pennsylvania avenue, Capitol hill: "lf
the bill becomes law the city should be
divided into two parts and the law should
provide that one commissioner be elected
from each Of the districts"
Mr. Campbell, restaurant, Third street and
Pennsylvania avenue east: THE plan is q
good one. There is no reason why the
people should not run their own affairs. Two
of the commissioners should be district
men,"
Mr.. George Weidman, confectionery Penn
sylvania avenue Capitol hill IL think the
bill is q very good one. 1t is far better than
the present system. | opposed the old plan
of suffrage and believe in an educational
qualification"
Mr. j. r. d. Pyles, grocer, Fourth street,
navy yard: "While | am opposed to the old
system of elections AS carried on in this city,
l think it is only just that the citizens should
elect two of the commissioners. l am in
favor of Gen. Rosecrans BILL and am also in
favor of holding mass meeting to consider
the question of qualification of voters. A
man who cannot read and write should not
be allowed to vote"
DIR. Verdi 81 favor Gen. Rosecrans' plan
1t embraces the spirit of our country to elect
our officers. The President should appoint one
of the commissioners and the people should
elect two of then.'
MIR. A. Brentano bookseller corner of
Eleventh street and Pennsylvania avenue.
said: 1T is a strange fact, especially to an
European, that at the capital Of this country,
in which utlrage is the main feature, the
people are deprived of the right to vote"
Mr.. John A. Bayly, Sixth and ID streets
southeast, said: 81 am in favor of universal
suffrage, but would gladly accept the plan
proposed by Gen. Rosecransas q compromise"
Mr.. II. X. Clancy, farmer,on the Brlghtwood
road, said: THE farmers of the district are
nearly all in favor OF suffrage Tho proposed
plan is very acceptable one, The farmers
are almost ignored by the present govern
ment"