Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-08-17
A BREAK FOR STATEHOOD.
A Novel Plan Adopted by Some Suffrage
Agitators.
A Proposition to Organise q State
government Here and Demand
Admission to the Union.

There was a meeting Of suffragists last
night at 30S 1-2 street. The number pres
ent was small. but the enthusiasm large.
Col. A Z. Redstone was chosen chairman
and Mr.. Patrick H. Loughlin, secretary Of
the Civil Rights Alliance was made secre-
tary. Mr.. Aiva Udell explained the object
OF the meeting and the plans Of the agf-
tators. by giving a history of the different
governments that had existed in the Dis
trict Of Columbia, and then said:
THE act subdividing the District Of Co.
lumbia into twenty-five legislative districts,
each of which was entitled to representa-
ton by one delegate. has never been an
nulled. 1t Is still in force. Our method is
to adopt the California plan for gaining ad-
mission to the Union. That plan was as
follows: Immediately after the Mexican
war California was acquired. That state
never had a territorial government. In
1919 there was called a constitutional con-
vention which formulated a constitution
providing for the election Of state officers
and all other requisites to statehood. This
was submitted to the people and adopted
In 1850. Senators and a Congressman were
elected and sent to Washington equipped
with credentials. After a serious fight, the
state was admitted. A congressional bill
defeated in the Senate by the slavery e,e-
ment. Our manner of procedure should be
along the same line. Our plan is to elect a
delegate from each of the old districts
to a constitutional convention which shall
nave In view the formation Of a lew state.
rms constitution shall be submitted 10 the
people OF the District The convention
must be composed of representative men
thoroughly identified with the interests of
the new commonwealth. A constitutional
constitution sets forth that Congress shall
exercise Jurisdiction over not excee ling ten
square miles Of territory. This is a mega
olo lr.A2 Al
any increase Of territory. Congress recog-
nized this when In 1916 II receded to Vir-
ginia what she had ceded. The preamble of
that act OF recession recites that the Unit
ed states government shall exercise author
1ty over such lands only as are necessary
to a seat of government. In the ,ocal con-
stitution proposed the boundaries Of the
new state could be defined. That is. the
authority of Congress could be confined
solely to the buildings and grounds to
Which IL mas title. A state form Of govern
ment could be perfected and Senators ard
Representatives sent to Congress. Admis-
sion could not be refused them"
Senator's Said to Sympathixe.
Chairman Redstone said that he had pos
tive knowledge that Senators Blair, Kyle
and PETER were in sympathy with the
movement and he thought that Senators
Jones and Stewart were also favorably
disposed towards it,
Mr.. UdeH further said that the federal
government could not NEEDLE with us were
we state and state constitution was a
safeguard to the taxpayer. The constitu-
tons of California and Nevada permitted
no greater state Indebtedness than $500 600
Ihis feature might be improved upon by
US He favored an educational qualifica-
tion, lnasmuch as a voter should be able
lot.
To Agitate.
Mr.. James Cowdon advised the calling
OF public meeting, but others thought
that their opponents would pack" such a
meeting and bring the cause into ridicule.
chairman Redstone said they were there
TO devise means to reclaim American man.
mood 1t was proposed to hold open-air
meetings and agitate the question on the
stump. Those who volunteered their sery-
Ices as campaign orators were Col Red
stone. MIR. Loughlin, Mr.. Cowdon Mfr
odell and Mr.. T. H. De Forrest. 1t was
decided to meet tonight at O'Clock at the
office OF Mr.. Hazelton, No. 33s Indiana
avenue. committee to wait upon the
Commissioners with view to securing
pointed -