The Washington times., 1894-06-24
SUFFRAGE FOR The DISTRICT
Leading Citizens' Opinions on an
Elective Government.
TOPIC ONCE MORE A LIVE ONE
They Generally Favor the Present system
with the Addition of Representative in
Congress and Control Over Local Ex-
penditures to the Contrary.

The question OF changing the form Of gov
| ernment for the District il one that comes uu
periodically Under recent agitation the
topic is once more live one. and the
citizens are debating the proposition for a
restoration of the old form OF city government,
the right of suffrage. and the privilege of
electinS delegates to represent the District in
Congress. Upon this subject The TINES has
procured the following opinions of business
men which will doubtless tend to attract at
tention to the subject anu cause discussion
of it upon its merits.
W. H. Lowdermilk. Nos 1924 and 1926
street: II think we have the best system OF
government that could be desired for the
good OF Washington. We all feel that We
should not be taxed without representation,
but we would better suffer that than 90 to
other ills that might result from change
y. W. Burcheli. No. 1928 F street north
west: I'VE are doing very well now; we might
do worse il we make II change"
James s. Topham. No. 1881 Pennsylvania
avenue: Under present conditions l do not
think it would be best to have suffrage. |
think we should haye q representative in
Congress. and should be permitted to con-
mendations Of the Commissioners. who know
wha; We want, should have proper considera-
tion by Congress As it is Congress first cuts
down appropriations then the Comptroller
Of the Treasury reduces it still further. Many
expenses the city has to meet should never
have been put upon Us. But it IS, perhaps,
better not 70 have a change
PRESENT SYSTEM PREFERRED
Edward +. Droop. No. s25 Pennsylvania
avenue northwest: while we feel the dis
grace of being DISTINGUISHED there are rea-
sons why the present system is to be preferred
to universal suffrage believe. however,
that we should have the right TO elect our
Commissioners. and should also have repre-
seutation in Congress | have been here
thirty-seven years. and know something of
the workings Of both systems When We had
the right OF suffrage before it got so bad that
II business man hardly ever went to the polls
1t was only the professional politicians who
run the elections.
s. j. Mee's, No. G22 G street northwest: II
am man who believes in suffrage. think
it is a right every man should have. but tax
ing everything into consideration, believe
the present systefn'is the better for the Dis
trict. | do not care to discuss the subject,
but everybody knows why the District was
put under the present form of government"
Wm. Braknagen, No. sos Seventh street: u
L
elections and a governor served. was a
young man then. but I remember that every
time there was an election it was not safe to
go on the streets. | am satisfied with the
present form OF government
A. p Leidy of Carha-t Il Leidy. No. 92s
Seventh street: Il think that city which is
universally conceded TO be one of the best
governed cities in the country would be fool.
ish 10 70 back TO u system that proved to be
a failure.
CITY HAS DONE VERY WELL
John H. Magruder. No. 1417 New York ave-
nue.: THAT is a question that requires good
deal of reflection. Ibelieve the congressional
committees want to do all that can be done
for Washington but there are so many mem
bers in both Houses that take a wrong view
of matters or do not seem 10 comprehend the
needs OF the District. and under proper con-
ditions il might be well to have the right of
suffrage and different form of city govern
ment; but those conditions cannot be obtained.
Under the present system of having three
Commissioners the city has done very we'll
better. perhaps than it could do under the
proposed suffrage system. Every man who
lives in the District. il may be added. feels
that to be disiranchisel is scarcely to be
citizen. but the trouble viii be 20 perfect
better form Of District government.
J. b. Nawle. of No. 1928 street northwest:
Il am opposed To q chan-e.
". II. Craaston. No. 1897 Pennsylvania ave-
nue.; My idea il We should have change. I
do not believe in taxation withoat representa-
tion, and think the citizens OF the District
should have the right Of suffrage and the
privilege OF electing II delegate TO Congress.
The Commissioners should not be appointed
by the President. and then il they do not do
right we turn them out. Now thew are
away above the people. and we cannot reach
them. II we had 4 system based upon the
votes OF the people we would not have TO
send 70 Kansas for It.corder OF Deeds
Morris Clark. No. 73i and 1856 Seventh
street: II am opposed 10 the change unless
il can be had under proper restrictions. l
should be glad 20 have the right 10 vote. but
think the Advantages TO be gained by obtain
inc suffrage would be more than Offset. There
is one thin; certain, / think. and that is that
taxation would be SO increased as to be bur
densome. The minute that the city passed
from under its control Congress would dis
continue appropriations TO aid the city gov
and that would leave us to bear
alone the expense of Keeping up improve
ments. think there should be no CHANGE
Harry b. Parker. of Parker. Bridget S Co.,
No. 3i5 Seventh street: II am very well SAT-
isfed with the present system. and. having
had experience under both. 1 am opposed 70
the change"