Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-16
THE DISTRICT PROBLEM
Comments Upon Recent Suggestions r.
garding tie Government.
Mir. PcfYcr's Proposed Advisory As
scmbiy-The Question of Congress
slOnnl Representation.

Referring to the editorial in The Star OF
the 18th instant commenting on and criti-
| cisins the bill introduced by Mr.. PETER to
provide legislative assembly for the Dis
trict, a gentleman interested in the meas
ure submits the following:
1.-The Constitution provides that Congress
Shall hav. power to exercise exclusive
legislation ove~ the District. Congress
carnot delegate this power. Therefore the
only power that could be granted by Con-
gress to any representative body for the
District would be merely advisory. While
many of us would like to see body with
positive legislative powers, yet that can
not be had without constitutional amend
ment.
1.-The crying evil of the existing local gov
ernmental system is it's unrepreSentative
character. Self-cCnstitute1 bodies seek to
advise and influence Congress, and the
great body of the people are neglected.
Special interests have too much influence,
and the general welfare is ignored. There
fore, what is desired is a body that would
be truly representativc--in which each in
tereSt, whether selfish or unselfish, special
or general would be measured according
to it's actual value. This such an assembly
as is proposed would give. Then neither
the labor organizations, the board of trade
nor the citizens associations would be able
each would have voice and power equal
to it's due. And while this body would
have no power to make laws, yet it is be-
Heved that the President and Congress and
the Commissioners would recognize its
recommendations expressive of the de-
sire of the people, and would treat them
with respect accordingly. AS you say, this
would be harmless body; it could aid in
doing nothing but good.
1T is probable that under the system pro-
posed nine-tenths of the votes would be
cast for some twenty or thirty representa-
uves. and there might be some two hun
dred other representatives, who would have
but little influence. The purpose is to Sc
cure to each interest its proper representa-
ton, and 1t is believed that such would re-
suit. OF course, the greater part of the
work would devove those who repre-
sented the largest constituencies, and there
fore they should receive pay in proportion.
The pay proposed was intended to be small;
but II the value of the assembly should be
established by experience it would be pos
S1ble to increase the pay to such an
amount as would be proper
AS to the alleged gag rule: 1t was in
tended to provide a system which would
give to the weakest representative Il right
to present his measures, and yet secure to
those representing the great body of the
people the power % transact business.
In conclusion. | wish TO add that this IS
recognized as being merely rough draft
OF BILL and it is hoped ,hat those who
recognize the merit Of the principle on
winch 1t Is based will propose such amend
toward its perfection"
ConEEes.foI Representation,
Another citizen CT Washington writes to
The Star as follows: The Star prints,
with apparent approval, a dispatch appear
ing in an out-of-town paper crticising the
course of Congress toward the District of
Columbia. Assuming that the charges
al
we'll founded, the question occurs to the
writer, what remedy does The Star pro-
pose Cor the condition of affairs repre-
scented in the dispatch referred to? The
Star has made known its opposition to local
but in the past has advo-
Gated constitutional amendment giving
10 the people Of the District of Columbia a
voice and vote in Congress, apparently
thinking that such concession would
meet the exigenc.eS of situation of af-
fairs daily becoming more eEaSperating to |
even those who view with alarm and DIS
gust Il possible restoration of the suffrag
to the people of the District. But would
representation result in bet
ter legislative treatment Of the District?
The undersigned ventures the opinion that
1t would not, and for several reasons
We're the District represented in both |
House and Senate upon the basis of state |
representation its representatives would |
originate most Of the District |
legislation, and would, no doubt be given |
places on the District com /
mittees, but would they be in q much bet |
Ter position to demand and enforce legisla- |
ton on District matters than the gentle
men who now have District affairs in |
:harge at the Capitol? If their voting
power We're limited to questions of local
merely their associates would |
nave nothing TO fear from them, and even
t they enjoyed the same voting privileges
is the other members of the legislature 1t
would only be now and then that advan-
age could be taken of close votes to effect
rades, etc. in the interest of the District.
'ather doubtful parliamentary methods at
he best
And of course it would be the voting abtl-
ty of the District representatives that
would give them such influence and stand
nS in Congress as they might enjoy So
ar a voice in District affairs is con-
,erned, it is not probable that local rep
'esentatives would more ably or eloquently
'et forth District needs than do the Sena-
ors and Representatives who now struggle |
II vain to gain the attention and interest
If their fellow legislators on District
lays The difficulty is Eot the lack of
representation in Congress in local affairs.
t lies back of that and in the hopeless
rational legislature, legislating for 65,OG0,-
0o of people, into board of aldermen and
common council for a municipality com
POSED of considerably less than 3OOUn
souls. Anomalous and inharmonious is the
scheme, and most assuredly is it destined
o break down at no distant day. The
of home rule and local self-gov-
rnment are dear to the heart of the
American people, and it is on these princi-
lies alone that The Star can base gov
for the national capital that shall
re model to all the people of the earth.
VIII it not lend its aid to so laudable an
bject?'
USED A CLUB.
Patrick Culiinane No Match for His