Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-02-18

people. That, I think, would stop all the cranks
from interfering with members Of Congress and
preventing legislation for the District"
II am well satisfied with the present form
OF government" said stephen Tally, the con-
tractor. I'VE have hard time TO get along with
three men, ana II we had fifteen don't know
the fifteen would, OF course have some interest in
particular scheme, and the result would be, I
wGS os Sss aa M
such meetings as the willard Hall crowd, the Dis
trcr had better retain its present form Of govern
mentn
Geo. NJ Oyster, q member of the Committee
OF One Hundred, said: 81 have lived here for nifty
or sixty years, under all forms OF government and
think the present is the best we ever had It Is
suits accomplished are the best It Is a dangerous
thing to experiment with good form OF govern
ment. II you go tinkertng about It you may spoil
A. B. Mullett, member Of the Citizens Com
mittee, said that he was not prepared to dis
cuss or criticise the plan in advance OF the
debate, in which he had right to participate. As
said that the defects were not chargeable to the
Commissioners, but to the viciousness OF the sys-
thought the action OF the board in wiping out the
Engineer Commissioner business" and making
the board board indeed was wise step and in
the direction OF the report now before the Citizens
Committee. He wished to be understood as not In
tending to reflect upon Col. Ludlow, whom he re-
not the best. engineer that has held the position OF
Engineer Commissioner. His objection to the
present form OF government was based upon the
principle OF mo taxation without representation"
w. Pierce Bell, said 1t was o subject OF con-
graduation with the people Of the District, he
thought, when Congress, In june 1874, abolished
the hFeather- Buster Legislature" and the other
again, in June 1878, provided q permanent form Of
government the same. with some few amend
ments, under which the present form OF govern
tratiOn Is fairly and faithfully performed no fair
minded citizen should DOUBT, and, indeed, the
measure proposed by the Citizens Committee APP
parently aims at change In the form, rather than
legislating out Of o1ice the present of1cials.
Mayhem Platter thought the present form Of
government good one. 1t is not known what
benent and it might prove detriment.
mo doubt exists in my mind" remarked r
w. Fenwfck a member OF the Citizens Committee
''abOut necessity fora change In the form OF the
District government. The deprival of the citizens
laws by which they are governed is wrong, and as
this plan for new form OF government proposed
by the Citizens Committee Is step In the direction
OF restoring TO the people OF the District thi:
sacred right, the plan cOmmendS itself 10 me, II
that particular at least, but 1t would be mort
ton that they be granted a charter government
and that they have the rights bestowed upon then
which are enjoyed and insisted upon by all othel
American citizens" He was satisfied, however
with the present situation for the time at least.
j. W. Boteler said: "My opinion is that thu
present form of government is good enough"
W. NJ. Shuster, dry-goods merchant, said, GAS IA
| as am concerned the present form Of government
Is good enough. In TACT, the best we have eve
had, and this proposed new form is, in my opinion
step toward suffrage"
Mr. Hutchinson, OF Hayward & Hutchinson
said, "The proposed new form is all bOsh
/ am perfectly satisfied with the present
| form OF government, and amiout OF patience will
these committees, who are eternally trying u
change our present successful government.
A. B. Cr0pley said: 81 am heartily opposed to tb,
| proposed change. There would be less accom-
| plished than at present."
"My time" said Seaton Perry, the dry-good
| merchant, "is very limited but l will say that
am completely satisfied with the government as q
| present."
Lewis Barr, sewing machine agent, said the gov
| eminent at present was entirely satisfactory I,
| him, but he would like to see a modified form o
| suffrage, limited to the taxpayers.
William Dickson said. II have had no time II
| think OF this matter, but think my sentiment
| are expressed by shakespeare better to bear tn,
ills we have than fly to those we know not Of"
Henry Hurt, president OF the Washington and
Georgetown Railroad Co., said: II think we should
| let well enough alone. 1t has never occurred II
| me that beneficial change could be made. dom
think there Is a more economical SyStero OF gov
| eminent In the United states than the present
| one. l certainly do not want q vote cast In tn,
| District"
"Ihave not given it much thought" said W. F
| Seymour, "but am opposed to It, as 1t woult
eventually lead to suffrage, and we certainly d.
VINO are In favor OF 1t, but not settled men will
DrODerty.n