Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-02-23

Chairman Fendaii and thirteen gentlemen At
tended the meeting Of Citizens Association No. g.
held at the Lutheran Chapel last night TO endorse
the plan for q new District government. Two Of
| the fourteen were openly opposed TO the proposed
change, and three were somewhat doubtful, but
preferred to support the measure provided 1t would
interfere with the present ORDER OF thingA The
rest were pretty heartily in favor Of the "plan."
President Fendal called the meeting TO order, stat
Ing that the object was tO consider the report pre-
pared BY the select committee.
RxPLANfNo THE REPORT.
MI ]. ormsnd Wilson explained the report. He
thought Congress never was intended TO exercise
exclusive authority over the District except when
necessary for the safety OF the Government. Con-
gress had the power OF exclusive legislation un-
questioned but not the purpose TO exercise exclu
must state that there was nothing to indicate that
at the founding OF the District there was any idea
that Congress should pay half the expenses They
thought that IL had been demonstrated that IL was
not desirable TO have military engineer o11cer,
with full power as Commissioner. They thought,
too, that all history had shown that one executive
was better than several There was q disposition
In Congress 10 extend each year more legislative
power 10 the Commissioners The committee
wanted rather 10 change the agencies through
| which the Government operated than TO change
the government.
Two resolutions thanking the committee for
bill were offered by Mr.. Fenw1ck, the secretary,
| and seconded by Mr.. 7. A. Lambert.
TAKING ISSUE WITH Mr.. INGALLS,
Mr.. Lambert said that II Mr.. Ingalls, had given
the matter some thought he would not have given
expression TO the monstrous utterance In which
he nkened the relations Of the District to the
General Government 10 that OF forts and reserva-
tons He thought II would puzzle the learned
senator TO discover any means for the eviction OF
the propertyholders OF the District He said this
plan did not propose to subvert the present form
OF government. II q better scheme should sug-
gest itself he was sure no body OF men would be
more ready 70 accept 1t than this committee.
senator Ingalls, ability would make such state
ments as had been attributed TO him. Senator In
gals must be entirely ignorant OF the history OF
the District. He had read the expression OF opinion
as 10 the proposed plan, as given In interviews in
THE STAR, with great care. In nine-tenths OF the
cases where the persons interviewed expressed an
opinion, he said, they declared that they had not
read the bill They showed ignorance Of the mat
ter. They said there was no dissatisfaction with
toni he exclaimed. 'Look at the uprising OF the
citizens in protest! Does this not shown" He
stopped for a moment and looked at the twelve
gentlemen In front OF him and the chairman be-
hind. Men having business to occupy them, he
said, might be satisfied and not want to disturb
their business; but he could not see how men low
ing republican-democratic form OF gov
SsDSsS "A Of g, their tights citizens
he was sure many people were at this time ready
for this-a majority OF the people. he thought. He
thought the proposed government could be carried
without interfering with any ones views Of SUI.
frage. He thought assemblage like this ,,efore
himl, a voluntary association representing the
voice OF the people, would have some influence
upon the President to guide him in making ap-
pOintments to the council.
OPPOSED TO THE BILL
Mr.. Frank Riggs opposed the whole plan in
bright and pointed speech. He said he believed
he represented the views OF large number OF peo-
pie who looked with horror at the Idea of suffrage
In the District Other cities had suffered In their
municipal Affairs, and the District had had a Bit
ter taste OF suffrage. IL was reyulston from the
condition in which suffrage had left the District
that had resulted In the present government In
taking from the District the government by the
masses Congress had taken the responsible
ity for half the Districts expenses. He feared
such a movement as the one proposed would
destroy the present relations between the District
and the Government. The President had difficuIty
IN selecting two Commissioners for the District
from Their people To the satisfaction OF all. How
much more difficulty would he have with fifteen
or sixteen men. Delegations from ali parts OF the
city would De pressing their claims upon him He
thought there was danger that Congress might
eriment and pay for it!'
Mr.. LANBERr's REPLY.
Mr.. Lambert In reply said he thought the fear
that Congress might withdraw its patronage was
not wei founded The Government, he thought,
could not refuse to contribute TO the protection OF
Its own property. IL WAS An absolute necessity on
the part OF the Goyernm mt to meet these obliga-
lions II could not avoid this. 1t was obligatory
They could not escape this any more than they
could their financial obligations to the District
present District government, but merely for its
perfection. He said that Congress confessed that
the government OF the District was not adequate
for the purpose. II was defective, and this com.
mlttee proposed u correction or these defects
They wanted TO supply what Congress had been
OF suffrage, he claimed, was not Involved. He did
not apprehend confusion from various deputations
waiting on the President.
Mr.. Richards spoke again, saying that for sew
enty years Suffrage was success In the District,
unth the government was changed In 1871. The
people did not demand that change. There was no
dissatisfaction among the people with the govern
mehL Sell-interest Of certain men lead 10 the
change In 1871, which, ne declared was not repre-
sentative.
THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF CONGRESS-
MIR. J. o. U. Shields said that Congress had ex-
elusive jurisdiction well exclusive legislative
power over The District. He opposed the whole
plan OF the select COMMITTEE. He said that Con-
greSS knew what they were doing when the Dis
trct was founded. and they had an object In pIac-
ing IL under their exclusive Jurisdiction They
had 10 MIND the assault OF the mob on the Paris
authorizes, ana the attempt 10 overawe the Con-
gress at Philadelphia. His recollection was that
in 1861 Ga the municipal government of the Dis
administration he thought was simple and efYec.
tive. Congress was Kind to US and tinkering he
feared mgut interfere with the present satisfactory
condition.
Mr.. Fenwick said he favored but did not expect
suffrage in the District. The plan did not con-
candidate here, bodies OF cOlored men with stones
ready 10 destroy property: He was ready now to
run Inc rioh again. tie t0Ve0 MS rights 0earer
tnan property. lie wanted relief from this opres-
sion.
DIR. Craighead said he did not favor universal
Suffrage In the District. There were some priyi-
leges tDaI must be held In allegiance for the gen.
eral good. He thought the committee had rem
dered great service by the historical statement
| in the report lie could not see where the Govern
/ ment Was so very generous to the District. He
did not fear financial trouble with Congress.
ar. Hayward approved the plan as q bridge
across the gulf between despOtism and the rights
| OF freemen.
| AFRAID OF SUFFRAGE.
Dr. Lovejoy felt some trepidation about the bill
ON account OF fear OF return to suffrage; other
| wise he thought the bin good one He would be
| willing TO try the plan.
| Mr.. VIM. c. Ballantyne said he would deprecate
an impairment OF the relations between the Dis
trlct ana General Government, or any return TO
suffrage, put ne thought this bill merely a mOdi-
hcation OF the present goyernment,-not a Change
| Mr.. wilson said the Dill was bar against sur
frage.
Mr.. Shields asked that the resolution THANKING
the committee be voted on separately from thai
lndorsing the Dill This was done, and there was
no negative vote. The resolution indorsing the
plan was then adopted, Messrs. Riggs and Shields
| voting against IL.
Rorn
BAx1se