National Republican., 1888-03-25
INDIFFERENT CITIZENS
TO THE DOlNGS or THE COMMITTEE OF
tNE HUNDRED
Some Think the Organization viii
Disband-M Mistakes THAT Have Been
Made aud Good work Performed
Little Expected of Congress.

Unless differences can he settled soon
there is likelihood of a dissolution Of the
Committee of One Hundred, better known
as the Citizens Representative Committee
At the last meeting Il very unpleasant feel
ing was caused over the presentation and
during the discussion Of the bill providing
for change of the present system of local
government. The bill got 80 votes out Of
the ~ members pre- sent, which was barely
majority Of the members present. The re
marks made showed plainly that the matter
was not very pleasant one to discuss, and
Just lefore the voting was entered upon
dozen gentlemen left the meeting IN u very
indignant manner.
Last night gentleman, In speaking of
the matter. said $50 far ~ the influence uf
the committee Is concerned II Is gone, aud
the best thing for the organization to do is
to disbHnd. The committee started out
with the idea of legislating measures for
the District interests and to act in harmony
with the commissioners Gradually II be
came apparent that cliques' were formed
with aNes' Of their own to grind, Mem
hers caught on, aud they began to lose all
interest in the meetings, and abscnted
themselves. There We're many things that
were heard 'snorC9sa,' and this
the last meeting It was apparent
that the sympathisers with the bill had
banded sOlidly together with determila-
tiou Ia pass IT, THIS broke the last tie that
Il few had To the committee aud they saw
that the best thing for them to do was to
leave. What the result will hc do not
really know. | believe, though, that within u
month or So, many of the District associa-
tions will either change many Of their dele
gates or disbnud themselves. The organiza.
tiOn failed To do its duty in regard to
railroad matters, and this caused
no little comment. When chance offered
itself in this particular, the hccOmmittcc failed
to avail itself Of say ing q word in behalf of
the citizens. This mistake Or oversight
hogan the cause of people losing interest in
1t. There is no doubt that the committee
did ugitUte good measures and exert some
influence for the uitN's good, hut as -OOn uS
II began to haihOr ithin itself schemes for
an individuals benefit, people saw through
II NJ once. Not u few of the
committee are inclined 10 think that
there is very little hope of getting Congress
to do much for the District They begin to
think that as long as Il senator looks upon
Washington rs Il government reservation
there is no use 'tO buck, and demand this
thing or that thing for the District. Con
grCssmCn only think hf their own districts
and they are not Interested IN District of
lolullha Hllalfs' lhtN l'tl, consequently,
that they are not duty bound to do anything
for il unless moved 10y an impulse of patri-
utism, say, as an example. IN granting some
rich man relief from paying special taxes or
| granting n right to open an alley, which
| light, If asked by Il poor man, would he re-
| fused. know that the committee began
| its sessions very earnestly and business like
! and meant well, but II broke itself mp by il,
own 'cliQues.' | think, and no doubt
! others think the same way, that Congress
| does rot do the proper thing by the District.
! ard II Is a burning shame that over 3OO,WI
| people should be at is mercy. II is Ills.
/ grace to American citizenship that the peo
! pie of Washington should he forced to get
| Gown on their knees before Congress and
/ ask for favOrs, and finally be told that they
| live ON u public reservation aud can hc or
dercd uiI al moments notice by the GOV
| eminent"