Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-16
form of government for the District of

Bradley, ChaS. s.: 1 oppose restoration
ing. Representation without population
is now a serious evil. If states with less
:. than 5000 Inhabitants can have two
Senators. Washington and District of Co
lumbia, with 275,OO0, should certainly
count in our national legislature.
Barker, H. H: oppose restoration of
suffrage. II the question were as to the
admission Of the District to statehood
should favor 1t.
Bickford, Nathan: 1 oppose restoration
of suffrage. but I believe in the wisdom
of qualified suffrage, here and elsewhere.
Brown. Thos. A.: l oppose a restoration
of suffrage, but would favor a change
from the three Commissioners to one
with full power to appoint heads of de-
partments.
Burden, Joseph: I oppose a restoration of
suffrage unless with property qualifca-
tion-actual reSidence-all criminals ex-
cluded-likewise all citizens of other
states-and not even then. unless assur-
ed that Congress would still contribute
its quota as now. Let we'll enough alone,
no more Bowen or feather buster.
Ballantyne, Wm.: .am not In favor of
universal suffrage for this District If a
qualified suffrage could be secured and
our present arrangement with the gen.
eral government continued, some benefits
might result from restricted local con-
troll.
Will pay one-half of the expenses l am
In favor Of the pre- ut form of govern
ment. but would like % have a represent
alive in Congress.
Balloch. G. W.: am not in favor of res
toration of suffrage to the District of CO.
lumbia. l would favor suffrage based
upon property or educational qualifca-
tion. but not unlimited suffrage, until a
certain element of our population are
better educated than at present.
Birney. William: oppose a restoration of
suffrage as 1t existed in 1S71-1S74 to the
District of Columbia. 1 favor the estab-
lshment of a suffrage confined to the
bona fide citizens and taxpayers of the
District, and regulated by registration
act requiring two years continuous resi-
dence, registration six months in adj
vance of elections, and prescribing small
voting districts or wards.
Cation, John B.: Washington Is undoubt-
edly the best governed of all our large
cities. 70 subject it to the conditions of
ordinary political contentious, l believe,
would be detrimental. 1t is purely fed
eral city, and the right to object to taxa
ton without representation must be con-
sidered waived by them who come to it..
III, however, by consent of the Congress,
some plan without resort to common po-
litical methods can be adopted by which
property can have some voice respecting
the material welfare of the city, should
favor It,
Cook. G. Wythe: 1 consider our present
form of government the best we could
possibly have. 1t might pacify the suf-
fragists If We could have representation
in Congress. But let the local govern
ment alone.
Carson. John NJ: would favor suffrage
with property qualification. Having wit
messed mes the evils Of , universal suffrage in
would be disastrous to the best interests
of all the people.
CragiE, Chas H.: remember too well the
days of board of public works. when
was unfortunate enough to own some
vacant ground that was almost confiscat-
ed by the so-called street improvements
and the assessments therefor. No more
suffrage for me. without property qualifl-
cation of voter.
Dodge. Philip T.: do not favor a restora-
ton of unlimited suffrage. Washington
Is unlike any other city as to it's ele-
ments and local influences. Indiscrimi-
nate suffrage would not give the control
to the better elements. l believe the
present government, with better means
of representation for the different sec
tons of the city, is the best that can be
devised.
Dubois. Charles L.: Although believing in
democratic form of government as
principle. 1 am convinced that the resto-
ration of suffrage without property
or educational qualifcation would not, in
the light of past experience, be for the
best interests of the District. Every cit
lien would not exercise his franchise
and there's the rub!'
Doyle, ]. Hadley: am opposed to a res
toration of suffrage to the District of Co
lumbia for municipal affairs. l would
have, If possible, the citizens of the Dis
trict suffrage so far as to show their
preference for the presidency; but the
memory of Feather dusty" days would
keep my vote and voice against local
franchise for repetition of those dis
gushing times.
Decide. w. Riley: oppose restoration of
suffrage to the District of Columbia for
municipal offices. 1 favor suffrage Cbased
upon an educational or property qualifi-
cation) fer the election of one or more
members of the House of Representa-
tives and for two GU Senators. This, and
this only, Is what I want
Eckhart. Nicholas: Having a very lively
recollection of our feather buster legiSla-
ture and its accomplishments, 1 have no
desire to see the farce re-enacted but
would not be opposed to suffrage under a
property and educational qualification.
Ergood, John R.: One or two gentlemen
fully identified with the interest of this
city and residents thereof appointed by
the President as delegates to Congress
would avail more than the return of
suffrage.
Forrest, Joseph: The evils of universal suf-
frage in this District are too recent to be
forgotten. Few, If any, property holders
would like to see the old regime restored.
The representatives of the whole people
in Congress are our trustees, and respon-
sible to their constituents for fair treat
ment of their wards, and are mainly just
and fair. But referendum to our citi-
Zens might well be made on proposed To-
cal legislation of Importance, such as
laws regulating steam and street rail-
roads, on general demand by people and
press,
Frizzell. w. j.: oppose a restoration of
suffrage Would suggest that board of
trade appoint a committee composed of
sterling men from various parts of the
District, who would devote few hours
each week to the general welfare and
attend to the affairs of the District be-
fore Congress and it's committees, and
who could also advise the Speaker in Sc
lectng the District committee. If this
should not promote favorable legislation,
suffrage might be the next best remedy.
Freeman, J. r.: prefer the present form
of government rather than allow men to
be elected to govern the city by the votes
of people who pay no portion of the
taxes required for the proper mainte-
nance of city government.
Flint, Weston: l oppose restoration of
unrestricted Suffrage. / can conceive of
a plan Of suffrage for this District that
might be advantageous but it would be
very different from that under which the
District suffered when last enjoying that
so-calied privilege.
Gore. j. H: am opposed to a restoration
of suffrage unless there. should be an
educational qualification and long resi-
dencc: perhaps also q property qualiica-
ton.
Gooch. Ches. D.: The former experiences
when suffrage existed here are suff-