Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-10-01
I MUST and InrpoIitic.

II is gratifying that the local labor lead
ers themselves show 4 tendency to reCog-
nize the impoIcy and folly of meddling in
a hostile manner and through political.
agencies in the congressional campaign in
the district Of the present chairman of the
House District committee.
Mr. I2abcock is accused by circular
purPortine to he signed by local labor Off
Gals. Of opposing suffrage IN the District
and in this connection OF displaying hos
tiity toward the workiuemen. This cir
cuIar. uHIcs it is GisavoweI or withdrawn
is to BE largely circulated in Mr. Babcock :
district by his political opponents in the
hope of defeating him in the approaching
election
Even that fraction Of the people of the
District who wish suffrage viii readily per-
ceive the injustice of attacking a represen-
tative seekin[ collection in his home dis
tr.ct because his opinions on this subject
do not agree with their own. The effective
oI Ioneuls Of genuine suffrage at the ma
tiCraI capital are the trainers Of the Con-
sJtution. who have taken from the local
residents and reserved to Congress the
power TO exercise exclusive legislation in
all cases whatsoever in the federal Dis
trtct- The attempt TO represent local pub
lie sentiment as fercely hostile toward
those who think that the welfare of the
capital will not be promoted by granting
10 It's people the bogus suffrage. which
alone can be enjoyed under the unamended
CO institution. is misleading and farcical
The circular is as impOlitic as it is I'M
just II tends directly to injure the city5
welfare In the present Congress the ca pi-
tai has profted by having as chairman of
the House District committee the chairman
OK his party congressional committee and
much wholesome legislation has been Sc
cn1ed Ter 1t. not only through Mr. Bah
cocks individual energy and legislative
ability, but through his influence with tn ;
House IS a political and partisan leader
The treatment of the District by its Iegis-
lature, not elected by its people, is largely
determined by the character, influence and
enthusiasm Of the men who manage the
committees and subcommittee which deal
with its interests. The congressman gets
no credit with his home constituents who
elect him by faithfully performing his con-
stitutlCnal duty toward the federal District
and If his unselfish IaUors in the Iatters
behalf do net seem 70 he appreciated even
by the people Of Washington, the natural
impulse with him is to have nothing to do
with our local affairs. The tendency Of
petty anu UNREASONABLE laSSlnS d14E tauIt-
finding with our representatives and the
Inevitable result of carrying his sort Of
criticism into a congressman's district in
the effort to prejudice his constituents
against him is to deter strong and am
bilious men from accepting the local COM
nittee assignments, and the District legis-
latiye interests will thereby suffer.
The interests of the local workingrnen
are Identical with the interests of the whole
community, and what Injuries the latter in
JUres the former. The vast majority OF
"ashlngtoniS-ns without regard to party
or class, or occupation, recognize gratefully
the value of the services rendered to the
capital by such men as Mr. Babcock who
represent faithfully, enerSetically and eff
fectively both their home constituents who
have elected them and their non-votins
constituents in the federal District whose
legislative interests the Constitution in
trusts To their care; and whether demo-
Gratis, republicans OF popuiists and solely
with the welfare Of this community in
view the people Of the District would wish
not Mr.. BabcOck's defeat. but that he might
be overwhelmingly elected. Their DISPOSE
ton would be To help and not to attack
even if ne favored Imitation suffrage here
instead OF opposing il.