The morning times., 1897-02-24

for I,oon years among all people, and
especially the Anglo-SaXons. He knew IL
was argued thai Washington was a national
city, and that therefore its representatives
might be from any part OF the United
States. That was perhaps just in the case
of judges. but in those cases where the
money OF the people was disDursed or con-
trolled by certain offices. such offices
should be filled with citizens of the Dis
tric5.
Mr.. Greenlees desired to know how many
offices were filled by outside people
One member mentioned the recorder of
deeds, another the superintendent of char
tiles, another the marshal of the District.
Mr.. John JOY Edison made a speech in
which he promised that the question was
by no means anew one. 1t had been talked
over publicly and privately for many years.
IL doubted if there was in the whole Dis
trct a man who, as a matter OF prin-
ciple, would disagree with the resolu-
ton. Democrats and Republicans alike
were agreed on the principle of home rule.
lie asked how the people OF Cleveland
would regard a statement that they might
have a MAYOR and some officers, but that
the general government would appoint the
others. lie did not think there was any
force in the argument that because Con
gress paid one half of the expenses, it
should have the right of appointment to
all the offices.
He thought it time, too, that the people
here who pay taxes should have something
to say as 10 how they should bc appropri-
ated. He did not think the Board of Trade
open To any criticism for holding such n
meeting as this 1t is perfectly proper
that we should meet here and express
our views and to say to the President that
we hope he will not appoint non residents
to local Offices"
Mr.. Ward Thoron said that there was a
practical question involved, which had not
yet been touched Are we well or i'll
governed? If we are well governed, would
it not be well To let the present policy
remain He had been a resident of the
District for about ten years, and he had
not heard any complaint made about the
administration of the government on the
contrary, he had heard that Washington
was the hest governed city i'll the world. He
opposed a change in methods.
Mr. MiIlard said he was heartily In favor
of the resolutions, but he would urge again
that one of the Commissioners should be
from East washington.
Mr. Woodward: why, they are all from
East Washington
Mr.. Millard Some of them may live
there. but we have never considered that
we have had representative from that
section of the city. Mr.. Ross, it is true.
lives out there, but he does not own any
property there: III fact, l believe, none in
the District l would move, therefore,
that the board recommend the appointment
of a COMMISSIONER from East Washington -
Mr. Woodward: The chair would rule
that motion out OF order We have met for
q specific purpose, and it is usual to CON
fine meetings to the object for which they
assemble"
Mr.. Emmons discussed briefly the manner
of the appointment OF the Commissioners
of the District, and in general he thought
il was good plan; but at the same time
there was room for improvement, espe-
cially when al times there was no redress
for citizens on petition. 1t was well
established principle, anyhow, that people
who pay taxes are entitled to the offices.
He did not think the objections raised
In the meeting held good, for there was
really no rule as to what constitutes q
bona fide resident of the city, the gener-
ally accepted idea being the association
| OF a man n the business and social inter
estS OF the city. The board, he thought.
! had perfect right to make its suggestions
! In this matter Its activity in this rela-
! tion was well enough, but IL ought TO speak
| out equally plainly against Congress AFRO
eating to itself the exclusive right TO
| appropriate, as il pleased, money paid
into the treasury by the citizens of the
! District. He would, therefore, vote in
favor of the resolutions, no matter how
emphaticany they were put.
Mr. W. {. Dodge called the attention
| of the board to the fact that the nationa
! platform stood for home rule and that
/ il might be construed by the President
| as a reflection on him il he were reminded
in this way of his duty under the plat
| form.
Mr.. Greenlees. "Since my connection
with the Board Of Trade / have always
found it ready TO promote the wiSeSt ant
largest interests of Washington. l hav'
never before however, known it 10 Cccup.
il self with so small a matter as the dis
tTibutioh OF few offices The boaId ha
its proper functions 10 perform, and fo
that pun ose it has its committees on tax
alton, river and harbor Improvements,
| health, water supply, the Aqueduct Bridge
| etc l agree with n great deal that ha
been said, but / am not in favor Of th'
loaTd being called upon this afternoon t
| pass such a resolution.
we already have large measure o
rome rule, and ! would he glad TO ado
| these offices, but / believe that the board
is lowering itself too much from its higl
standard 10 come here ON the question .
peddling a few offices for the District oi