Evening star., 1897-07-27
Injurious DETERMINATIONS.

branches of government alike there are
Determinations against the District of Co
lumbia and its people.
The District has been pronounced a state
under a treaty with France. in order that
privileges therein might be conferred on
Frenchmen. but not state under the Con-
stitution. whose people can sue In the fed
eral courts. The Supreme Court Of the
United States says in express terms that
We stand in a more unfavorable attitude
toward the national judiciary in this re-
gard than aliens.
Touching the legislative branch, the Dis
trict. though a state when direct taxes are
to be collected Is not a state when repre-
sentatives are apportioned. notwithstand-
ing the Constitution couples the two things.
Under the executive head the District Is
territory for the purpose of nominating
in convention a President of the United
States. but practically not even a territory.
when that President begins to fulfill the
platform pledges made to the territories on
the subject of local appointments to fed
eral offices.
Neglect by hundreds of ofice-holders to
retain citizenship in their respective states
and their consequent crediting to the Dis
trict. cause the law concerning the appor-
tionment of offices largely to exclude the
rative Washingtonian from entry into
the classified service. The apparent
policy of the nation has been to con-
fine the Industrial activities of the fed
eral city to labors connected directly
or indirectly with the national government.
In other communities residents have always
an advantage in the matter OF employment
in the local factories. From the govern
Ment workshops that constitute Washing
toms leading industries the Washingtonian
Is under the terms of the law now prac-
tically shut out
Passing from consideration of the federal
offices which are local only In the circum-
stances that their functions are performed
within the limits of the District to those
that are purely and exclusively local in
character. the discrimination against the
Nashingtonian becomes more marked and
more grievOus- In recent years all the
presidential platforms of both the great
parties have pledged these offices to resi-
dents And in every case the incoming
President. whether republican or demo-
cratic. has straightway proceeded to faIsify
this promise of the platform upon which
he has been elected. The local recorder
ship of deeds remains a political sop with
which to reward, nourish and encourage
the colored voter of Kansas or North Car
olina- The office of sealer of weights and
measures. a subordinate appointment of
the Commissioners. is tossed to one of the
12.1O Ohio Invincibles. who boasts the
proud distinction of being named for this
petty place. important only to the local
business interests. by the President of the
United States. And it Is also predicted
that the marshalship of the District. to
which even Mr.. Cleveland made a local
txyhic ho1 vic
almost by common consent as appro-
priately intended for National Committee
man Parker in recognition of his ability
and services. is to go to another political
worker from the Presidents own state.
The law specifies three years of resi-
dence as n qualification of appointment as
civilian District commissioner, and the
spirit of the law and the American pre-
ceGent in municipal government suggest
a similar residence qualification in those
who are to serve as the lieutenants of the
Commissioners In the performance of their
functions. Knowledge of and interest in
local conditions which are wisely required
of the general overseers of the municipal
affairs become absolute essentials of the
public welfare in the case of subordinate
offlcials who deal directly and specifically
with these conditions Discrimination
aseinst Washngtonians is increasing even
in the matter of appointments under the
LEGAL municipality. Senators and Repre-
sentatives demand these appointments as a
matter of right, based on the fact that
the nation contributes to the maintenance
OF the national capital, forgetful that this
right. If it existed, would confer upon each
individual legislator in an equitable diyi-
sion of the handful Of District offices the
privilege of selecting only an infnitesimal
traction OF some subordinate official Too
OFTEN the Congressional demand is accom-
panied by the Congressional threat and
there Is constant danger of the coercion
OF the Commissioners into unwise and hurt
rul appointments by the menace of hostile
legislation in the body to whose tender
merCies the Constitution of the United
States entrusts the capitals guardianship.
The national legislator whose perform
arce of his constitutional function in rela-
tion to the affairs of the capital would be
aHected by the degree of success of his
bull-doZing and appointment seeking Iabors
IN dealing with the District Commissioners.
would be of course beneath contempt. But
tLere nave been men, strange to say who
have boaStfully characterized themselves
as capable of just such petty and unmanly
conduct.
The President of the United States should
TO the full extent of his power put a stop
TO all Determinations against the people of
the capital. instead of permitting his name
ara great authority to be used in the petty
business of distributing the local municinal
offices to outsiders. Ohio men or otherwise
as rewards of political service. He shou,d
enforce the home-rule pledge In dealing
with the local federal offices which are
stii! TO be disposed of, and he should pro-
tect the Commissioners. whom he has an
pointed to represent him in the conduct of
"ashinston's municipal affairs. against the
olnce-seeAing demands of politicians, which.
IL not resisted in the public interest will
surely impair the efficiency of the local
administration, for the success or failure
OF which the President shares with the
commissioners the burden Of responsibility.
Tne administration has discovered tnat