The Washington times., 1901-12-14
HOME RULE FOR
THE DISTRICT.
Senator Mason Advocates
Local Self Government.
CAPITAL NEEDS A PAUL KRUGER.
Address Delivered Before Distin-
guished Colored Men at the Met
ropolitan A. NJ. Z. Church-Com-
ments on the Booker Washing
ton Dinner Incident.

81 would like to congratulate the peo-
pie OF the District on our Government,
but | can't because they have no say in
the matter. Anything wrong with the
sidewalk you want an alley repaired, or a
lamppost erected; there is no remedy un-
less you can bring social influence to bear
on the city council. that you didn't elect,
nor cant re-elect."
Invited to speak.
Senator William E. Mason freed his
mind Of this thought last night to large
audience in tho Metropolitan A. NJ. E.
Church. on N Street. between Fifteenth
and Sixteenth Streets northwest. The
Senator had been invited to deliver an
address ON Our Country and Its Condi-
ton" for the benefit of the church.
Senator Foraker had also been invited
TO speak on the same subject. The Ohio
Senator was unable to be present
The above remarks were made during
the course of Senator Mason's Interesting
talk. which was interspersed with funny
stories.
No True local Pride.
u regret the absence of true pride
among the citizens of the District" he
added Think of 100000 people without
a word to say where and how your taxes
shall be spent
Some say you are getting better gov
ernment under existing conditions. The
person who makes such a statement
ought to be ashamed Of himself. The boys
and girls of the District ought to be
f1T1 T1ul 1toz tn htrf bnT NJ
IL here. / am one of the board Of alder
men tmeaning Congress-, and have no
reason to complain.
A Matter of Comment.
There is no one to walk into the
House and Senate and express the views
of your citizens. We have the best nation
in the world because we have sclf-govern-
inent But the form of government in the
District hurts, because, while it is said
all over the world thai we believe in self
government. the foreigners point their
fingers at US. and say the people Of the
National Capital have not self-govern-
ment.
A Paul Kruger needed.
Some day a Paul Kruger will come
among you and begin to talk, and will
set you thinking. and then you won't stop
until you force Congress to give. you
Delegate just as the other Ter, ,toties
have"
This comment o. the government of
the District was received with hearty ap-
plause.
Senator Mason W, S introduced to the
audience by ex-Repr sentative George II.
White OF North Carolina. who presided.
The subject selected for him, the SEN
ator said, was so long that it would be
impossible to handle it in the short time
he would have He told of his visit to
Alaska and the land of the midnight sun.
sons of Illinois.
He also spoke OF Illinois. which. he
said. was the greatest of ali the States.
He briefly referred to Lincoln, Logan and
Grant. three great sons OF the State, and
then branched of in eulogy OF the
General Government. which he declared
TO be the freesi in the world.
II was at this point Senator Mason paid
his respects TO the Districts form OF
government Senator Mason also took oc-
casion to refer to the Booker Washington
incident.
Hooker Washington Incident.
The papers and people" said he.
Jumped on the President because he said
TO Booker: Come and take a bite TO eat
with me The President never thought
OF washington's color. And all the fair
minded people Of the country say God
bless the President. "
This was greeted with loud applause.
During the evening music was rendered
by an orchestra composed Of members OF
the Marine Band. On the platform were
J. W. Lyons. Register of the Treasury.
Henry Lassiter, master OF ceremonies:
Rev. Mr.. Hill, the pastor OF the church,
and Colonel Merriman. OF Chicago, who
also made few remark.
DISTRICT COMMITTEE MEETS.
Chairman Bnbcocis Announces the
Subdivisions.
The House District Committee held its