Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-20
THE RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE
Elective Franchise for the District Ad.
vooated by Senator Mason.
Address Before Business Mems AssOcia-
tion-ResolutiOn Adopted Request-
ing Test of Smoke Consumers.


Mems Association, which was held last
evening at the headquarters in the Postal
Telegraph building, Pennsylvania ave-
nue. near 14th street, was addressed by
Senator Mason of Illinois, who told num-
Der of stories, which amused the audience.
and also said that the one thing which was
lacking in the District was the exercise on
the part of the people of the right to gov
ern themselves. He said government by
commission was un-American, however
well 1t might be administered, and for that
reason, he thought, there should be here
government by the people.
He believed that If the people were in
earnest about the matter they could enjoy
the political rights which their fellow citi-
zens in other sections of the country pos
sessed. He expressed the opinion that the
citizens have not enough nerve to assert
themselves and get the right to vote. He
believed if he lived here permanently he
would move to make a change in the form
of government. The speaker said if the
residents of the District could and did run
their own legislature and manage their own
governmental affairs they would not have
to beg for their political rights. While he
thought this city the handsomest in the
world and on the whole well managed, he
believed the local conditions would be still
. better if the people had their say in the
management of their own affairs. He said
this city is row, and destined to be
still more in the future, the literary center
of the country, and that also manufactur
ing interests would be developed here. In
fact he added, there is only one thing lack
ing. and this is the people should assert
their American manhood. He Went on to
say that If the people of the District had
man in Congress to represent them-one
who depended them for his job-then 1t
might be expected that District affairs
would be given more thorough attention.
As it is the members of Congress have
their own affairs to look after. and 1t Is
ch iS
the membership of the District committees
TO educate the new men to understand the
needs of the District and to appreciate its
relations to the general government.
In conclusion Senator Mason said he
would be glad to render any assistance III
his power to the association and to the
citizens of the District, and that they might
call upon him at any time.
The address warmly applauded, and
vote of thanks was extended to the speak
er and he made an honorary member
of the association.
The Speech Approved.
In the comments which followed the
speech, Mr.. John Leetch said he thought
the speaker had struck the keynote of the
success of the association. He said the
people of Washington have no rights that
others are bound to respect, and he hoped
the young men would assert their rights
and gain for the city what was rightiT its
due, politically
The sentiments expressed by Senator tla-
son were also indorsed by Mr. L. N. Saup-
ders and DIR. Robert Reyburn.
Some business matters We're disposed of
before the president of the association, Mr..
w. S. Knox. called upon Senator Mason.
The secretary, Mr.. Barry Bulkley read a
letter of thanks from Amas Temple of the
Mystic Shrine for the tender by the Bust
ness Mems Association of their rooms for
headquarters for the use of the temple
in making their arrangements for the grand
sessions of temples of the United States
In May next. a letter was also read from
the wife Of the late Vice President Hobart
expressive Of the appreciation of the reso-
luton of regret ana sympathy which the
association had rendered her upon the
death of her husband.
resolution was adopted providing that
committee of five be appointed to make
all necessary arrangements for holding
banquet of the association, at a date to he
decided upon later. The committee an
pointed by the chair is as follows: Messrs
Major, Armstrong, Dyrenforth, Raymond
and Buckley.
Test of Smoke Consumers,
resolution offered by Mr. Geo e En-
mons adopted requesting the District
commissioners to make tests of the yarinus
smoke consumers now the market at
the District pumping house on street
ana that all prosecutions for violation of the
law be suspended until such tests be made
and a satisfactory consumer found
motion was also carried to the effect
that the counsel Of the association sho,iId
draft a bill. to be presented to Congress
providing for an appropriate ion of So, 900 for
building a speedway on the Potomac flats
along the river.
AT meeting of the board of directors
held after the adjournment of the associa-
ton the following Were elected members:
II. /. Meadler Frank NJ. Finley, Frank W
lowing, 6. W. RibbIe. Glenn Brown James
hagen, Isaac Cans, Bartholomew Marnix.
Il. w. Grafton. Il, RDwprS and
Burrows.
refreshments Were served and the bal
ance of the evening was spent in social en-
joyment.