The times., 1898-07-21
A SUFFRAGE HEARING.
Several Arguments Made Befor'
SnmueI Gsmpers Last Evening

Samuel Campers Last Evening.
The first hearing on the question Of the
right of residents of the District of Co
lumbia to the elective franchise was held
last evening at Typographical Temple.
The hearing was in compliance with a
resolution passed at tsae last annual con-
vention OF the American Federation OF
Labor and was under the direction OF
Samuel Gompers and Frank Morrison,
president and secretary respectively OF
that organization.
Among those present who have always
taken a prominent part in advocating the
affirmative side of the question We're Mil
ford Spohn, eK-president of the Central
Labor Union; William Silver, ex-president
of the Building Trades Council; j. T.
Healy, delegate to the central suffrage
committee from the Building Trades
Council; Thomas G.. Hensey, Charles A.
Bell, DR.. Lee, secretary of the Suffrage
Association; A. Murray and many others
The proceedings were opened by MI
Gompers, who stated the object of the
meeting and said that If there We're any
persons present who desired to be heard
in opposition to the right he would be
glad to have them take the floor. None
was present. however, and the arguments
submitted were all in favor of the pro-
position.
The opening speech vas made by Mr.
Spohn. who said that it was nor only
ridiculous but an Insult, TO ask Il resident
of any part of this great country to give
statistics to show why lie should be
granted the rights and privileges ot
American citizenship.
The resolution calling tins attention Df
laborng men throughout The country 10
the dsfranchsement oi over 30 600 per-
sons which was adopted Dy the American
Federation fo Labor, he declared. criSi-
mated in the Central Labor Union of this
city. 1t is the height of ignorance, he
said, for anyone to assume that it was
the intention of the fra4i..'s of the Con-
stitution of the United States thai a per-
son should be deprived OF ii; rights Of
citizenship because ne IS n resident OF
the capital city of the Nation. No man
who would for a moment contend that
such condition of affiIrs as exists III the
District is just. is worthy of being called
an american. he added
Mr.. Spohn then gave his version of the
| history of the treatment of Washington )
worl1ingmen by the Commissioners. con-
tending that in no other city in the coun-
try We're they so badly used. and that
this was because the Iaboring melI of the
District have no vote.
Mr. Hensey confined his remarks chief
ly to disproving the arguments which
are generally put forward against the
enfranchisement of District folk
The opposition Mr.. Hcnsey said, lis
always holding up the colored population
as a 'bugaboo The figures of the census
prove that if the right OF suffrage was
granted TO the residents OF the District
colored people would cut but a small
figure In the number of votes cast
He then discussed the matter from
! legal standpoint and contended, in op-
/ position to the opinion of Chief Justice
Marshall that Congress had the power
| TO grant the privileges of citizenship to
the people Of Washington.
A member Of the House District Com
mittee Mr.. Jenkins, of Wisconsin, told
| him. he said. that there were only two
| classes of people who were opposed to
! allowing residents Of Washington TO vote.
! These he said, Jenkins told him. were
/ fools and people VINO had moneed in
/ terests at stake.
Short arguments were also made By
| DR.. Lee Mr.. Bell and Mr. Healy
! Mr.. Gompers announced, at the close
| Of the hearing. that he would call another
! meeting in order that the opposition
! might express Is views If it was desired
TO do so