The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-02-09
TERRITORIAL RIGHTS.
larger Political Privileges Demand.
ed-why They should be Granted
Speech of Delegate Curry. of Ari-

ed-Why They should be Granted
Speech of Delegate Curry. of Ari-
zOna.
Tho following is n synopsis OF speech de-
livered by Delegate Curry, OF Arizona,
before tho House Committee on Territories, In
favor OF granting larger political privileges to
Territorial voters;
MIR. CHAIRMAN: have learned that the sub
committee, TO whom was referred the House bill
No. 1866, which provides for the election
of Governor and Secretary by the people
OF the several Territories, had determined
to report adversely upon said bill, and
were only prevented from so doing by
the Interpolation of d friend upon the
committee, Mr.. Lanham, OF Texas, who
suggested that ANAL action OF the committee be
postponed until the gentleman Introducing
The bill could BIO heard from.
here acknowledge the courtesy OF the gen
tleman, not alone TO myself, but TO the people
! represent, In giving me an opportunity OF be-
ing heard upon the subject matter OF the bill.
or course the poiuts OF objection have not
been made known TO me, consequently am
left 10 grope In the dark, but, IN considering
the question, am left 10 form my own con-
illusions as TO the objections that could possl-
bly, be argued against the measure, and, upon
examination OF the question, the only do
cision can arrive at is, that while there Is
absolutely nothing in tho bill that
is obnoxious TO the Constitution
OF tho United states, or Incompatible
pie, that the committee has ensconced itself
behind long line OF precedents that the Gov.
ernment has followed since the inauguration
OF tho first Territorial government on the con-
ttnent. During all this time, confess land
do 30 with reluctance) that It has been tho
policy of the Government 70 dictate absolutely
eminent OF the Territories, not because
the idea has any warrant under
the Constitutions, but because 4 the
Government has assumed that position. Upon
an examination OF the Constitution we ind
that the Government has absolute and unlim-
tied control OF 80 much territory not exceeding
fat mil a N aqh I'M ltaan hAH IN nv
certain States, and In addition thereto such
property rs It has purchased from certain
purposes; beyond these no ono comedies the
absolute authority OF the Government to con
troll districts established for the convenience
| OF the people.
The only warrant found in tho Constitution
| for the continuance OF the policy of the Gov
| eminent toward the Territories Is derived
from that clause of the Constitution which
| provides that Congress shall make all noedful
| rules and regulations for the government of
| the Territories In order to arrive at O correct
conclusion as to the meaning OF this clause,
| We must necessarily consult conremporaneous
| history, we must look 10 the facts as they APP
| pear OF record, and by the Hight of those facts
the Intelligence OF the country must be con.
1t cannot be argued that the Territories are
| dependent provinces, composed OF Inhabitants
| hostile or inimical to our form OF Government,
| or that they have less OF the attributes OF In
| dependent freeman than any other equal
| number OF people living In any other portion
l
| intellect, as devoted to free Government and
| as persistent In their demands for equal rights
| under the laws OF the country as any other
| citizens wherever domiciled. Then what docs
| the Constitution mean when It says, "that
Congress- shall make all needful rules aud reg
| uiatioBs for the government OF the Terrific
| ries."
In my judgment It means simply this: That
| Congress shall furnish or supply the means
| by which the people OF the Territories may
| govern themselves In accordance with the
| spirit and genius OF American institutions, as
| understood by the fathers OF the country.
That they may elect the officers who have In
charge the execution Of the laws. That those
officers may be selected from .he body OF the
| people, who are acquainted with oil tho cir
cumstances that surround the people who
| elect them, whose interests are Identical with
the people and who acknowledge a response
biiiy to the constituency who elect them.
In proof OF this proposition, call the atten-
| ton OF the committee to the fact that In the
| indictment drawn against the Mother Country
by the signers OF the Declaration OF Inde
pendence, the complaint was that the people
| were not consulted or allowed voice In the
| selection OF governmental Oricersi that they
were taxed without representation; in fact,
that they were held In State of snblection to
| which no MISUNDERSTANDING, liberty-loving
people could submit without the loss of self
| respect
This being the feeling prevalent at that time
can IL be consistently said that the framers of
the Constitution under which we live ana &c
which wo owe obedience could for a moment
have intended that any portion of their fol.
grievances? And yet this long line of precedent
for which the committee seems TO have such
reverence, condemns nearly million OF
Il American citizens residing In the several Ter
ritories TO a condition equally as abhorrent al
that complained OF by our forefathers.
| IL has been asserted by one OF the eminent
1urists OF the country and one or the most pro-
found constitutional lawyers that this coun
try has ever produced, that "rhe experience
OF the whole world, IN all time, shows that thu
want or home rule Is the want OF everything
| else that Ia honest and fair. Rulers forced
| upon people are never just" And this the
past history OF the different Territories cor
roborates.
There can bo no objection opposed to thu
| provision OF this bill because 1t entails upoI
the Government any greater expense. Under
| the present system the Governor and Secretar,
are paid by the Federal Government AM
there "a no greater amount demanded for thei
| payment, though selected In different man
ner and In accordance with the Will OF the peo
pie.
Republican institutions must be maintained
| upon this continent and any hbrldgemant o
the rights OF citizens, except where necessary
| for the preservation ofthe rights OF the greater
number, is Incompatible with our system o
| Government. Freedom and independence 4
the watchword, and all opposition must stan'
| from under.
In conclusion say to the committee, not a
| one asking a favor, but as a Representative
| man, demanding the rights that belong 20 hi
constituents, that this bill should be favor
ably reported 10 the House OF Representative
with request that II be passed.
| S--------