National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-02-23
Our Local Government,

EDITOR NATIONAL REPUBLICAN: BEstrange
says; "Of all injustice, that is the greatest
which goes under the name OF law; and of all
sorts OF tyranny, the forcing of the letter of tho
law against the equity is the most insupport-
able" The truth OF this proposition is nowhere
in this nation illustrated with so much empha.
sis as in the District of Oolumbla-the ten
miles square dedicated as the national capital.
This territory has population of some 100000
souls. All property and all business is taxed
for the support of the government and yet not
a taxpayer Is allowed the slightest representa-.
ton in It's administration unless he shall hold
public office and claim and secure Il voting
residence in some one of the states This is
more, there is not another spot within the con-
fines of this nation where this injustice would
be attempted, or tolerated II attempted.
This great wrong and tyranny, IL Is claimed
by the law.mnking power, Ia Justified by the
constitution OF the United States III these
terms: Congress shall have power to exer-
else exclusive legislation in all cases whatso-
ever over such District, not exceeding ten
miles square, as may by cesslon, &c. become
the scat of the government of the United
States and 10 exercise authority over all
places purchased by the consent OF tho legls
iature Of the state in which the same may be,
for the erection of forts, magazines, aTsenals,
dock yards, and other needful buildings"
To hold that this section of the organic law
authorizes or justities the acknowledgements of
any considerable number Of citizens is II clear
perverson of the principles of American insti.
tutions and OF the purposes and intentions OF
the founders OF this government, What the
trainers OF the constitution intended is set
forth in the last clause of the section. Nothing
| more or less than that congress should exer-
else full authority over the territory upon
| which the government buildings are erected
To say that II authorizes congress to make
aliens of the people who own and occupy and
| pay taxes upon property within the District OF
| Columbia Is TO so far oyerturn the fundamental
| principles upon which the republic IL based.
The congressional Interpretation of this
| clause of the constitution, and the laws passed
| for the government of tho District of Column
| gree similar principles of action and wrongs
| TO those plead by our foreiathers in justilica-
ton of their declaration of independence from
| the rule of Great Britain government has
been established over this people which is not
elevated above petty monarchy in It's minis
tration of power. They have no voice In their
government, for they are not represented In
tho body which enacts the laws to which
they must submit, nor are they permitted to
elect or select the administrators OF those laws,
Hence they are Invested OF every right of citi-
2enship that Is priced by tho American people.
Even those who reside here arc tolerated In
TO submit 20 taxation without the slightest
representation in the power which imposes
these burdens They arc mere subjects of q
petty monarchy, and cease 70 be citizens Of
the United States This Ia their present es
tate. II was not so for three-fouTths of n cen
tury after the adoption Of the Constitution
nor until some modern discoyerer found, ,a'
he thought, that the Constitution warranted q
stretch OF power that would dlsiranchise the
people of this District II eXerted. Up TO thai
time the people of this District elected theil
own municipal rulers and enjoyed an efficient
and economical form of local government
under which they were contcnted and happy
That day has gone by. our present govern
ment Is neither economical, just nor con
genial with the feelings of the governed. W.
are ruled by an irresponsible trlumyirate, WHIT
administer laws which they have SHAPED
through their influence upon congress, in &C
Cordance with their own views, Irrespective
Of the popular wish and acknowledged re
sponsbility TO the people over whom the.
bear rule, II is 20 be hoped that change o
} national administration may lead on 20 an
other change which viii secure TO the peop
Of the District of Columbia their legltimat
rights as citizens Of the United states. q.
sALvATIoN, OF Is the greatest pain destroye