National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-03-28

learn the lesson that he falls far short OF
being the popular choice OF those who have q
right to be heard on that question.
Commissioner West is reported as saying in
reference to several names that we're urged
for the distinction conferred upon him that
Tho did not see why they should want the
Office IL tho government was as bad in princi-
pie rs they represent"
Has it nevor occurred to tho mind Of Com
missioner West that possibly an unjust and
oppressive law in government might be rem
dered more endurablc, IL not entirely re.
formed in character by placing IL under tho
administration of mon who are in sympathy
with and have tho confidence Of the poo.
pie who are doomed to live under 10, and
who contribute to its support through
onerons taxation? Tho people Of this dis
trict, by very large majority Of those who
joined in petition, asked for the appointment
of those whose names he has enumerated,
while the two civilians who were selected had
only a meager popular backing. They wero
inantestly tine choice Of the appointing
power, but not Of the people who are living
painfully under this hybrid form Of govern
ment. The people have never asked for nor
desired that tho present incumbents should
rule over them, and if this question could be
submitted TO the popular tribunal the verdict
might enlighten their judgments and lower
the standard Of their ogotism.
Commissioner Edmonds takes high position
against popular suffrage in the district and
entronches himself with views which, like
Bill Nye's heather Chinee, are "childlike and
bland" He says:
l came here to live. Ihad been living in Chi
cago, where could NOT go to depot after o
o'clock in the evening without putting pistol In
my pocket thought things would lie different
under this form of government Since have
lived here have had no reason to change my
opinion.
Commissioner Edmonds poses as q states
man and governor upon this lofty position to
illustrate his deep seated hostility to popular
suffrage in the District of Columbia and If
hero, why not elsewhere throughout the re.
public? The logic of the commissioners
sentiment Is, that because Chicago is n
wicked city-so exceedingly depraved that
while living there he was compelled to con-
vert himself into walking arsenal for safety
whenever he went to the depot after 8 o'clock
in tho evoning-the people of Washington
should be punished by II forfeiture of tho
right of sufirsge, the most sacred aud inalien-
able right of American citizenship. He docs
not propose to disfranchise the people of
| Chicago for their sins, but wants to make the
punishment vicarious. Here, as If to terror
ize this people, he makes the following fearful
announcements:
"A man came into my Office this morning
and said that If we are to have suffrage here
he would leave the city. There are hundreds
of others in the city who feel just as he
| does"
This may he an impending calamity, but
tho average American citizen anywhere who
loves his country and its institutions of self
government will reply to this menace, Emi-
grate-the sooner the better for the perpetu-
ity Of q government of the people. No man
possessed of such views of American rights
and privileges can possibly sympathize or
affiliate with republican institutions and q
popular form of government. They only
swell our enumeration in the census. They
really belong where monarchs rule. Yours
&c, A. NJ CLAPP.