The morning times., 1896-12-19
DISTRICT SHOULD CONTROL
Assessor Trimble's Views on Re-
procession of Alexandria County.
Thinks Congress Had No Right to
Cede That Territory Back
To Virginia.

In discussing the resolution introduced
yesterday by Senator Mcmillan, which en-
powers the Attorney General OF the United
States TO report as. to what the ''propor-
ton OF the present holdings of the United
States in the State OF Virginia, and within
the former limits OF the District, bear to
the whole territory originally ceded 10y
that State to the UBitet States, and upon
other points touching tie authority OF law
under which retrocession of a Fart OF
that territory was accomplished, Assessor
Matthew Trimble yesterday advanced some
important suggestions.
Referring TO the general subject and the
issues raised by Mr.. McMlian's resolution,
Mr.. TriInble said TO a representative of The
Times:
Il have read the account in the papers
OF the introduction OF Senator McMilia
resolution regarding alexandria county, Va.
For many years past have anticipated
that such motion would be presented and
favorably acted upon. 1t is a very i'm
portant question, and involves the consti-
tutional power Of Congress to change the
National Capitol from its present oca-
tion.
In my hun bic opinion it would require
constitutional vote of the States TO ac-
complish that purpose. 1t is true that
under the act of July 10, 1916, Congress
voted to retrocede To Virginia that por-
ton of the ten miles square which lay
south of the Potomac, but | do not be-
lieve that any such power was ever
granted or intended under our ConStitu-
| tion.
1T has been held by celebrated legal
| minds that Congress, under the Constitution,
| has no power to delegate its authority,
even for municipal form of government,
in this District If this be true, whence
comes the authority to give sovereign con
! troll to any one of our States over any
| portion of the original ten miles square
Congress has no additional constitutional
| power today thar 1t had in $40, but if it
had, the power ia sac TO retrocede any
portion of the permanent seat of govern
ment of the United States,' as officially
| announced by President Washington, il has
the same power now to rctrocede to Mary
| land that portion which we now call the
| District of Columbia. If such power be
conceded, then the permanent seat of
government can be changed in accordance
with the whiIns and caprices of every
| Congress.
| - y q such dangerous duUUOftIy was ever
intended or granted. And if, under the
resolution O Senator Mcmillan, this measure
can be brought to the attention of the
| Supreme Court, | think our original ten
| miles square will be restored, and Alex
andra county will be again assessed as a
part of the county of Washington.
''The commanding hills of Alexandria
| county were badly needed at the out
| break of the late war as a protection
to the National Capital, and at that
| time our United States military authorities
| hestated to take forcible possession for
| fear of invading the so-called rights of a
| sovereign State. These surrounding hills
may be needed in the future, and there
| should be no question as to the right OF
the general government to take imme late
| possession, erect its forts, and protect
| its Capital, without the interference of
any socalIed States rights doctrines, which
might be interposed for delay or com
plcation. ii
I'm addition to the grave constitutional
question involved, as to the permanency oi
| our National Capital, l sincerely trust
that the resolution of Senator Mcmillan
will be favorable considered, and that the
serious questions thds raised will be
| definitely settled for all future time by
a decision of our Supreme Court