National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-11-12
washlpston-How 1t is Governed.

The New York World, referring to q
rumor from this city relative to an affair
now under investigation in the police de-
partment Of the District Of Columbia, makes
this uncalled for and unkind remark:
The story, If not exaggerated, affords m iu-
sight TO the dcmorali24tion OF public affairs
which has existed In Washington city since
the days Of the Shepherd ring.
Passing over the reference to the
"Shcpherd ring" because we do not care
to go into ancient history at this time, we
wish to remind the World that 'since the
days" of that power this District has had
such government as the people of the
United States, through their Congress, have
seen fit to provide. "Washington city"
has no corporate oSistence-is merely an
aggregation of people and property; is
governed by copmlssion appointed by
the President "with the advice and consent
Of the Senate.n There are no elections,
no elective officials, there is absolutely
nothing connected with or performed by
our local rnvrrnmenf for uhi,h tho iui.>bit
ants Of the District are In any way RESPONSE
ble.
The people Of the state of New York
are in some measure responsible for the
governing of this community, for they elect
many Of the men whose agents deputze
three citizens OF the United States to rule
here. To the voters Of Maine, of Texas,
Of Florida, and Of Oregon, to the voters of
al the states, in fact, the responsibility of
the District government belongs. Not an
iota Of 1t belongs to the people governed
here. The babe a day old is not less re-
spCnsible for the clothes it wears than are
the Inhabitants Of this District for the per-
sornel or the acts Of their rulers.
It Is not our present purpose to discuss
the propriety or impropriety, the advan-
tagts or disadvantages Of this peculiar form
Of local government. II is constitutional,
at all events, and we suppose IL is here to
stay. The general opinion OF the taY-pay-
ing citizens Of Washington Is against n re-
| turn to suffrage, for, while they are not
quite satisfied with what is, they have a
dread Of what might be. They feel-as all
our citizens do--that 1t is not quite seemly
to discard popular suffrage In the capital
/ city Of the great republic but they seri-
ously doubt whether any change they could
effect would not.be for the worse.
| That there is decentralization OF public
| affairs" in this District is not true. On the
contrary, the uon'partisan and non-electiye
system in vogue here has worked more sat.
/ isfactorily than any other municipal gov.
I ernment In the United States. The public
moneys are honestly used for the public
good. We have the most temperate and
well ordered community that eau be found
in any large city on the continent. OIl
schools, our fire department, our street i'm
proyoments--in fact, all branches of oui
public serylce-are efficiently managed as
have not yet attained to ideal standards
there Is still great deal Of room for ad'
yancement in excellence, but we can say
with absolute verify that no city in any
state of the Union can put Washington tc
tie blush by show Of better work by 1t,
local authorities,
1t seems next TO impossible for the press
Of the United States TO do justice 10 Wash
!ugton, for the conductors Of public jour
nails are constantly forgetting that we hav,
10 municipal corporation and are destitut,
Of authority and means to do any public
acts not authorized by act Of Congress
This District is simply the home and work
shop Of the federal government. Because
Of It's obvious aud great advantages 1t hal
become the residence Of many wealthy ant
refined fOmilies, 1t Is enjoying good gov
ernment and wonderful growth. The peo
pie of the states, who are really the govern
ing power of this capital, have no cause t.
blush for ii.