Evening star., 1901-01-09
Mr.. CLARK'S AMENDMENT
HE PROPOSED THE CREATION OF
THE TERRITORY OF COLUMBIA.
Ruled Out on a Point of Order, He
Explains Why He
Offered 1t.

During the consideration of the apportion-
ment bill in the House late yesterday after
noon Mr.. Champ Clark of Missouri offered
the following amendment
That the District of Columbia is hereby
created a territory by the name OF the
territory of Columbia.
Sec 2 That all male citizens of said
territory over twenty-one years of age,
who have not been convicted of felony
and who have resided within said District
one whole year prior to the first Tuesday
after the first Monday Of November. A d.
1902, are qualified electors to vote for all
territorial officers and upon all territorial
questions
Sec 3 That the existing District govern
ment shall continue until January l. lEpZ
ard the laws now in force shall continue in
force until changed or repealed by the ter
ritorial legislature. ~ ,
Sec T. That prior to January l, 1902, the
President of the United States shall appoint
a governor secretary and marshal for said
territory from among the qualfed voters
thereof, who shall hold their offices for
term of four years from said 1st day OF
January A. d. 1901. unless sooner removed
for good and sufficient cause.
Sec D. That the legislature of SAID terri
tory shall consist of a senate and mouse OF
representatives. The senate snail be COM
posed of eleven members, who shall be
thdrty years of age. whose term snail De
four years. The house shall be composed
of twenty-five members, who shall be quail
fled voters at least tWenty-hve years oio
and whose term shall be two years
Sec g. That the said territory snail be
entitled to a delegate to the House OF KEEP,
resentatves IN the Congress OF the onlted
States. 80 .ho
nresen, commissioners of the District forth
with to divide the said territory INTO eleNen
legislative districts. as nearly equai ~
nnnulation as possible. each of which shall
he entitled to one senator and two repre-
sentatiyes in the territorial legislature
Sec. g. That on the first Tuesday after
the first Monday in November 1871 an
election shall be held within said terri
torv for the purpose of electing senators
and representatives in said territorial iegls-
la.ure and delegate to the Congress ol
the United States.
Sec. g. That it is hereby made the s uuls
| of said Commissioners to provide polilng
booths. poll books. tally sheets printed pal,
lots and other appliances necessary for said
election, and to appoint judges ana cierks
for the same in such numbers as 10 tneHi
| shall seem best; provided however. that
not more than one-half of such judges ana
clerks shall be appointed from one po-
litical party. u =.
certified to said Commissioners, and tney
| shall canvass the same and issue cer'in-
Gates of election to those elected
Sec. II. That each house of said legisla-
ture shall be the sole judge OF the electloh
ard qualification of It's members
Sec. r. That at high noon January l..
1902 both houses of said legislature shall
| meet at places prepared by SAID Eomhis- IS.
| sioners and shall organize for business ny
| eIecting such officers as shall be necessary
and may continue in session lot ninety
days and no more.
Sec. ii. That senators and representatives
| in said legislature shall receive $40 per
day during the session, to be pald out Oh
the revenues of said territory.
Sec A. That said legislature snail nave
| power to enact all necessary laws, to levy
| taxes, to disburse the revenues, to 90 All
| tures and to provide for the election and
appointment of all subordinate officers and
| fix their compensation.
Ruled Out of Order.
Mr. Hopkins made the point OF order that
! the amendment was not germane to the
hill. the point being sustained by the Speak
er. and the amendment was ruled out.
Mr. Clark then obtained the floor under
| the five-minute rule.
"Mr. Speaker" he said. "the part Of that
| amendment that Is pertinent to this bill Is
to give the District Of Columbia delegate
to sit in this House. Ever since L came
here have been in favor of that PROPOSE
ton. and all have witnessed confirms me
in that opinion.
ut is a disgrace and reproach to the
American republic that right here under the
shadow of the dome of this Capitol 300, 600
people, white, black, yellow and copper
colored, are absolutely disfranchised and
have no more voice in their own govern
ment than If they were so many Digger In
dians The only objection that I have ever
heard to my proposition was the statement
of some fine-haired solar-walk citizens of
this city that if the right of franchise were
and damned niggers would vote them into