Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-12-06

Arrogant. seif-scckinR Negroes the
stumbling uioci.

Washington, Dec, 5.---Somo OF the aB-
plrlng local politicians OF Washington
are now advocating suffrage for the
District OF Columbia At one time citi-
zcns OF the district were permitted to
vote. and In most respects the local
government was the sumo as that OF
the states and territories. A governor
WAS the principal oiilcer In cnnrgN of
local affairs. and an assembly or house
Of delegates made the municipal laws
which, OF course, had TO be approved ~
congress. lsut the colored citizens be-
came so numerous and 50 arrogant in
politics that the white citizens asked
that the right OF suffrage be taken
away. That was about twenty years
ago. and congress granted the request
and changed the form OF government
The laws of the district are now mado
by congress aud they are administered
by board consisting OF three commie-
aloners appointed hy the president. In
each house Of congress- Ia committee
appointed to consider local measures,
but Il IL argued thnt these committees,
consisting OF conBfcssmen from various
parts OF the unitod states, cnn not feel
the Interest In district anaira that
might be felt by a citizen OF Washing
ton.
Il n urged that local legislation ~
neglected and that the needs OF the
city OF Washington ana the District
OF Columbia In many Important dirrc-
lions go unheeded from one congress- TO
another Thsre ~ doubtless some truth
In this assertion, but u IN n question
whether u district delegate or rnre-
sentative in congreaE, or for that mat
ter, three or four Of them, would have
any greater success Ia putting through
necessary measures ~ local interest
than the two committees now have.
However. the local politicians arc Agl-
tating the question, ana a mass moot
ing for the purposr was held a few
nights ago, II N u somewhat Rignii-
cant fact thpt only three white men
were present. the others In attendance
being negroes who presumably aspire
10 vote and cut q Wide swnth In poll
tica The character OF this first meet
Ing has rather dnnpened the hidor OF
soma OF the white enthusiasts. but they
declare their Intention 10 try II again
soon and to supplement the meeting
with monster petition. Under the cN-
iBting systen congress- unqucstionnbiy
acts Ia n most paramoniou7 manner
toward the district IN thl matter ~ ap-
propriatlona. For instance, IN 1892 the
district commissioners asked for y2SG,-
900 for the public schools but congress
allowed only $4,000. In 1893 the eati-
mate was $4,000 and the district was
given Just sio,aO0. or q little more than
nne-fourtA ~ tho amount actually need
ed Last year the commissioners nslS-
ed for sl0S,a5D and congress- Rrnclously
gave them 500, $50. The amount nppra-
Irlated for the current fscnl year II
only sos 600. although sg43.000 WAS re-
questcd as absolutely neceaRary.
II ~ the same way regarding district
Appropriations for other pufpOBeB II
81 true the government owns a large
percentage OF the real estate IN the
district. but the property interests OF
the otizenR are such that they ought
to command the favorable consldero-
ton OF congress. especially In view OF
The fact that the citizens pay taxes
10 dafray ono-half the expenses OF the
locni government. Most OF the resi-
dents here are dlsfranchiaed. A few
WHO have not lived here long stu hold
their citizenship IN the states or terri
torles from where they came; but the
majority, having lost their residence
lafwhcfe. properly belong IN the dis
trict and consequently can not exer-
cise the american right Of suffrage.
MANY OF them 1t ~ true, are Indifferent
an Tho subject but large element II
now IN favor Of suffrage merely with
n View TO securing KfeRter attention
from congress and the nntionni govern
rnent. This. II Is believed. would re-
suit n the district were given poliu-
cal status After AL. tho great obiec-
tion TO n change IN the minds of many
conservative citizens Of both parties Ii
the fear that the colored element,whlch
N both formidable and assertive. and
flefliaps morn lofirnHiyr' iirie-iit m .hslli ;
where else in the United states led by
interruptions and ambitious white poll
ticianH, would again diHvfsre tia city
with the sort OF politics that led 70 the
abandonment OF the right OF suffrage
yeatp ago. Under the circumstances
Inc present agitation does not promis,