Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-13
DISTRICT SUFFRAGE
GALLINGER BILL APPROVED BY
BRIGHTWooD CITIZENS.
Addresses by DR.. II. L. E. Johnson
MI. E. B. Stocking and Others
Business Matters.

The regular monthly meeting of the
Brightwood Citizens ssociation was held
last evening at the Brightwood Hotel, Pres
ident Louis p Shoemaker presiding, and
Mr.. John Keene acting secretary. Ad-
dresses were delivered by DR.. H. l.. E..
Johnson and Mr.. E. B. Stocking, invited
guests, and President Louis P. Shoemaker.
After the reading and adoption of the
minutes of the preceding meeting, a reso-
luton offered by Mr.. NJ. r. MacRille was
adopted to the effect that the association
advocate the construction of the Memorial
bridge by the United States over the Poto-
mac river The association also advocates
the erection of suitable bridges over Rock
creek and the extension of 18th and 18th
streets by the government in order that
private improvements may follow those i'm
portant thoroughfares. A copy of the reso-
luton was ordered sent to the District
Commissioners and the members of the
committees in Congress.
Mr.. w. E. Robinson offered resolution
which was adopted, directing the attention
of the Washington Traction Company to
the uncomfortable and undesirable condi-
ton of the open shed used a transfer
station at the south terminus of the Bright
wood Railroad Company's track, which
after great difficulty, the citizens succeeded
lin getting the company to light" A copy
of the resolution will be transmitted to the
railroad company.
Mr.. E. A. Mclaughlin submitted a reso-
luton, which was adopted, to the effect
that after several years of hard work.
the taxpayers secured from Congress the
privilege of using electric light wires on
poles east of Rock creek and roadways
should now be lighted with electricity. 1t
is recited in the resolution that every little
town in the country is amply provided with
electric light, while many of the important
roads leading from the Washington city
limits are imperfectly lighted.
A resolution, offered by Mr.. Donald Nc
Pherson, which was adopted, is to the effect
that, in view of the Importance of Bright
WOOD avenue, we request that it should be
repaired on the east side from Soldiers
Home road to Brightwood, and on the west
side from the school house to Piney Branch
road and that it should be lighted with
electricity to the District line and pave
ments provided for pedestrians, who are
now required to walk on the driveway, and
that copy of this resolution shall be for
warded to the Commissioners"
In speaking of a resolution bearing upon
suffrage in the District, Mr.. Stocking said
he had been a resident of the District over
quarter of century, and that he has en-
joyed the rights of suffrage in his native
state-Pennsylvania. He spoke in high
terms of the citizens associations, stating
that they have greatly helped the local Off
Gals in the administration of District af-
fairs. He said conditions in the District
are parallel with those of America at the
time of the revolutionary war. Mr.. Stock
ing referred to the period when the people
of the District enjoyed the right of fran
chise, and contrasted the difference in the
government of local affairs of that period
and the present time.
The people of the District said the
speaker, are eminently competent to govern
themselves. He traced the history of local
form of government, stating that it origi-
mated hundreds of years ago, under English
sovereignty. The speaker said the resi-
dents of Washington are not as well off
as the Filipinos, for the latter have been
granted local government Washington
Mr.. Stocking said, is the dumping grounds
of worn-out ward leaders and heelers and
constituents of all politicians. He said the
District Commissioners were worthy of the
sympathy of all WaShington's residents
The present form of government in the Dis
trict, continued the speaker, is dangerous to
the best interests of citizenship.
That Mr.. Stocking voiced the sentiments
of those present was evidenced by the fire.
quent and loud applause.
President Shoemaker also made few re-
marks on the right of suffrage, speaking
of the great benefits to be derived from
the exercise of the voting privilege and in
dorsing Senator Gallinger's BILL Mr. Shoe
maker reviewed what had been accom-
| plished by the citizens associations.
Mr.. Thomas j. Hensey was called upon
by President Shoemaker to give his views
upon the subject of suffrage. Mr.. Hensey
responded, enumerating what in his judg-
ment, can be accomplished by self-govern-
ment.
| DR.. H. L. f. Johnson also made an ad-
dress upon the same topic. Among others
| who spoke was Mr. James Mcpherson.
| At the conclusion of the speechmaking
the Gallinger bill was unanimously in
| dorsed, with the suggestion that there
| should be property and educational quail
| fication.
| After the meeting adjourned all present
were served with a buffet luncheon.
During the meeting communica tons were
read by Secretary Keene from the Brook
| land Citizens Association and the George
| town Citizens Association bearing on the
gas service and the forthcoming reception
| to the newly appointed District Commis-
| sioner, Mr. Henry Litchfield West. Letters
| from the Business Mems Association ana
the District Commissioners office were also
read.