Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-03-10

TO the support OF government ought TO be rep
resented In IT.; otherwise his natural rights
were res, su1Serted and he was was. lsft no, not
country, when under subsection TO Great Britain.
thought worth making q resolute struggle for, and
sos sSe 70
It was proposed 70 recede to Maryland and virginia
" ceded By them. John Randolph. jr., In Feb
ruary Of that year, said in the House: II could
wish. indeed 70 the people within this District
ment is an experiment how far freemen can be re-
conc1led TO live without rights; an experiment
oangerous TO the liberties OF these states But IN
esmuch as II had been already made, inasmuch as
was not accessory TO 1t, and as at some future
tse 1s deeterous Effects may De arrested am dts
Hon ~ 70 VOTE against the resolution pr3posl;
the limits OF W ashington caused Representative
CLARK 70 say, In 1906 that he spoke Of the inhabi-
with pity and comparison, and he most devoutly
wished to see them placed in a condition more con.
genial TO his own feelings and the feelings Of every
dris was retroceded in ls46 her .galling disfran.
chisement" being referred to in DEBATE. George
cessfulIy.
Many Of those who favored the exclusive juris-
uction OF Congress over the District on the same
grounds that caused such District 70 be estab-
nshed were yet
PREPARED 10 AMEND TIE CONSTITUTION
when the proper time should come in order to give
the people OF the capital representation In Con.
gress the body which, In theory constitutes their
legislature. AS early as December, 1900, Repre-.
sentative Dennis said: 'Tf It should be necessary
the Constitution might be so altered as to give
them delegate to the general legislature when
their numbers should become Sufficient" A terri
0VifY Lob Stnu lee
not have been intended. The time suggested by
Mr.. Dennis seems to have now arrived The DIM
Guilty OF providing Congressional representation
Tor an isolated collection Of people, insufnciently
numerous In themselves to be entitled to a repre-
sentative, Is no longer to be met. The population
OF the District Is increasing with extraordinary
rapidly. In 1880 1t numbered III $685. and In 1885,
2O3 $50 The census OF 1880 was the frst enumer-
alton which showed 1t to have acquired popula-
ton that would entitle It to ask admission as a
state II 1t were upon the footing Of an ordinary
territory. The number OF persons TO be repre-
sented by each member Of the House OF Repre-.
sentatives is according 10 the last apportionmenr
about 152, O00 The House committee on terri
tories reports in favor OF granting representation
70 Montana, which. 1t thinks Will have 10000
population next November; to washington terri.
tory, which is expected TO contain 100 900 people
at that time, and to New Mexico. which had
1874 131 persons in 1885. One representative in the
House and one, at least. In the senate should
De granted the District This arrangement Is
found to be equitable when the population
and growth Of the several states are considered
Inc District, by the showing OF the census Of $780,
aireaoy surpassed In point Of numbers Nevada
id2 .2do), Delaware Q46.o54), and Oregon ga T60:
ana the advantage over Delaware and Nevada Is
likely to be retained. In addition to these thr Q
states Colorado l94, 649 Florida Co87 ,3j1. Rhode
Island c2163o1), Vermont CS32. 2S6) and New
Hampshire C1469 s4), had less tnan double the
Districts population, making the assignment OF
one senator 10 the latter equitable
IN view OF the comparative rate Of increase and
other considerations, the District is likely 70 be
round IN the future ahead OF New Hampshire
Rhode Island, Delaware, and, perhaps, Connect.
cut, OF the original states, and Vermont and
Ne vada OF the new states
the adoption OF tine fourth plan by Congress
would Dc compromise between granting only
local, qualified suffrage, which is highly objec-
sionao!e TO The District and consentiLg TO absolute
SUPERINTENDENT, which involves a surrender OF
national control over the capital, and TO which
the United states, as the owner OF One-half the
city, ana inc virtual payer OF onehalf its taxes.
would never consent. The wisdom OF this course
ls sustained by all the arguments Which 90 10
show that the constitutional power of s'excinsive
legislation by COM ress should not be hastily
Yielded, and also by those which maintain that
taxation without representation and inequality
OF citizens before the law should not be allowed 10
e Els Inc District would be placed 10 certain
respects on level with the states. Taxed like
them, 1t would have like them voice in the
dlsposition OF the general taxes. 1t would not,
however, stand upon precisely the same footing
with them, for the states are suDordinated 10 the
General Government only in certain defined partf-
culars, whereas the District would b. subordinate
~ u a RESPECTS ms lnieroriIy would De indicated,
IL mas been suggested, by giv1Qg the District
ONE INSTEAD OF TWO SENATORS
and by corresponding reduction In its electoral
vote. Enjoying representation in Congress and
participation In the choice OF the President, who
appoints its local Officers, Washington would re-
semble in It's municipal government city which,
after voting for the governor and legislature OF
state, Is managed by commission appointed BY
Inc former ana approved by the latter Under
This fourth plan the suggestions made In respect
10 the duty Of members OF Congress as the exc,u-
'ive legislators for the capitol would still be appl.
,able; the present financial arrangements between
Inc District and the General Government would be
the expensive transportation OF Office.
holding voters to the states from Maine to Florida
md from New York to California would, after the
Abolition OF the oft1ce-apporttonment system, be
avoided; the rights OF residents OF the District as
American citizens would he recognized in a
manner which would in1ict the smallest possible
injury upon the interests OF the city as capital
II the United states and this spot OF national ter
1tory with all its patriotic associations would
)e preserved to the Union.
II at the time OF giving the District the sub
'tanual representation suggested It should also
)e decided that Congress can manage the minor
concerns OF the District more satisfactorily by
Modifying In details the present form OF munich
bal government, such changes may then be con.
made. But every alteration should be
BASED upon full recognition, first or the absolute
necessity OF q retention by the General Govern
nent OF such representation IN and control OF the
management Of city affairs as viii enable It to
protect its vast interests here; second OF the
rightful warnin from the experience OF other
arge cities against recourse to unlimited popular
outrage as factor In the decision or purely muni.
pal and financial matters; and third OF the vital
Importance to the District that its local govern
nent shall be nOn-partisaD.
II Is conceded that the best method by which
congress can regulate the capital as a CITY NAV
AIRY somewhat In details with altering circum.
tanceS. but there Is no urgent, present necessity
or change In this respect. The more important
question is, Shall not the people of the District
Who now Largely exceed the number OF persons
represented by each member OF the House, be
ADMITTED TO THE UNION
g citizens OF quasi-state, and be granted repre-
In the National Legislature, and the
privilege Of voting for President? without dis
'uting for the present the proposition, proved alb.
urd By experience that they do not need, as citi.
ems OF the Distsict, distinct representation in
congress as a local legislature because they are
represented in that capacity by all Senators and
DO they not, as citizens Of the
United States, assembled In suff1cient numbers in
limited space and paying national taxes, require
representation In the body which imposes and dis
thooo fovo