Evening star., 1897-02-24
The Home Rule Sentiment Voiced BY
the Board of Trade.
LOCAL MEN FOR LOCAL OFFICES
Resolutions Adopted by the Repre-
sentative Body Of Washington.
THE SUBJECT DISCUSSED

at a special meeting of the Washington
board of trade. The sentiment was con-
tanned in resolutions which represented the
crystallized views of the earnest and loyal
citizens of the District of Columbia regard
less of their political affiliations. There
vas some objection expressed to the board
of trade taking such action, not through
opposition to the principle declared, but on
the ground of a possible impropriety in a
possible assumption from the resolutions
that the incoming President intended 10
violate this principle. But when 1t was
made clear from a second reading of the
resolutions that there was no reflection
contained therein upon any President past
present or future, the opposition to the
general declaration of principle practically
disappeared.
The meeting was called to order by Fresi-
dent S. w. Woodward, who stated its OBJ
5ect, and Mr.. John B. Wight occupied his
place as secretary. Without preliminary
remarks Mr.. Theodore w. Noyes introduced
the resolutions indorsing the principle Of
home rule in the District.
The Resolutions.
They were as follows:
Whereas the official affairs of a munich
pality are necessarily best conducted by
residents thereof, acquainted with local
conditions and needs and responsive to the
in the praise or blame of their neighbors
while the importation of non-residents to
NIL such offices exposes a municipality to
the tender mercies of officials often ignor-
ant of local affairs and unrestraiped by
respect for wholesome local sentiment:
And whereas it is equitable in the cases
of offices sustained directly or indirectly
by fees paid exclusively by local property
owners or taxpayers that those who con-
tribute the funds should have prevailing
voice in designating the officials to be COM
pensated exclusively from their contribu-
tions;
And whereas the nation has wisely rec
ognized the applicability of the above
stated principles to local appointments in
the District of Columbia, and has, through
Congress, enacted that three years resi-
dence is essential to eligibility to appoint
ment as civilian District Commissioner
and has in the platforms of both great po-
litical parties extended this condition of
eligibility to the other local federal offices,
by declaring. either specifically concerning
the District or generally concerning the
District under the classification of terri
tories. that all the federal officers appointed
for it should be selected from bona fide
residents thereof: therefore be 1t
Resolved, That the Washington board of
trade, mindful of the welfare of this mu-
nicipality, heartily indorses this action of
the political parties and of Congress. and
the sound principles upon which il is based
and declares its firm conviction that these
assurances against the of the local
offices as rewards to non-resdents for ma
tional and partisan political services rem
dered should never be violated either in
letter or in spirit
MIR. Perry's Interesting Remarks.
Mr.. R. Ross Perry seconded the motion of
Mr.. Noyes for their adoption in concise and
well-balanced words. He said that there
meeting would be called for such purpose
In Boston, New York, ST. Louis San
Francisco or other cities it was naturally
assumed at the advent of an administra-
ton that their own people would get the
federal offices, and it would be regarded
as singular if local offices were not ad-
minstered by local men. The principle of
home rule was inherent in all people. Be
fore the English conquest the idea was
everywhere pre-eminent that local affairs
should be locally administered. 1t had been
the birthright for thousand years, and
was part of our very biood. He asked
why Washington should be different in
this regard and why its citizens should find
it necessary to meet and declare them
selves in favor of such an inalienable and
recognized right, and said it was because
Washington was regarded as the national
city and more than local No one would
dispute that, continued Mr. Perry, nor that
it was necessary in one court of appeals
that men representing national interests
should be represented because SO many
national questions arose here for settle
ment. Our population was not local, but
International in its character; but there was
a distinctly local side to 1t. and this should
be managed by local men. The local fed
eral officials were engaged exclusively in
local matters, and received their emolu-
ments from money derived from fees paid
by local people. They were confined in their
consideration of affairs to local interests
exclusively, and he accordingly believed,
just as every one he was acquainted with
believed, that such Offices should not be
filled by other than local men. 1t was not
ciffZeDS nv birth
at ALL but citizens by reason of their in
terests and energy. To the objection that
Washington was national city, 1t was
fully answered by saying the local popula-
ton was national. and there was no rea-
son why men whose interests are local
should not fill the local offices.
Mr. c. c. Lancaster objected to drawing
a home rule proposition SO close that 1t
would prevent men who retained their vot-
ing franchise in other states, but who re-
sided and had their interests here, from
holding local offices. He did not want TO
have it said on the outside that the board
of trade was using devious means to COM
pass such situation. He did not consider,
however, that the resolutions which had
been offered had that effect.
Mr.. Edson's Views.
Mr. John Joy Edison said the question
of home rule in the District was not
new one. He doubted If one man in a
thousand could be found who questioned
Its justice or propriety. IL was entlrely
ron-partisan in its bearings. and demo-
Gratis and republicans alike agreed On it.
He wondered what the mayor Ct Cleve-
land would say II Washingtonians wanted
him to appoint one of their number record
er of deeds in his city, for instance. Be-
cause the national government owned one
half the realty and contributed one-half
the District expenses was no reason why
1t should nominate strangers to the local
offices. 1t already had most Of them. Con-
gress Is the legislature, and District peo-
pie had no voice in what they wanted.
The treasurer of the United States was
treasurer of the District; its auditor was
auditor of the District, and the President
was virtually Its mayor. Local affairs he
declared, should be conducted ..y men who
represent those whose affairs are governed,
Mr.. Ward Thoron thought the question
OF home rule was largely a matter of sem
timent, and that the only problem to be
considered was not who controlled affairs.
but how the government OF them was con-
Quoted. He had lived in Washington ten
years and had heard 1t said universally
that We had the best government on earth
and best conducted. He thought possibly
It might be better to have non-residents fiji
the offices, because they would bring i'm
partialty to the performance of their 6u-
ties.
An East Warrington Commissioner.