Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-15
DISTRICT SUFFRAGE
Theme of Discussion at Meet
ing Of Citizens.
VIEWS OF ADVOCATES
MIR. MACFARLAND OPPOSES IN
PRODUCTION OF POLITICS.
The Partisanship Manifest in Other
Cities, He Believes, Would Be De-
trimental to Washington.

A demand for suffrage in the District Of
Columbia entered largely into the speeches
made by a number of well-known residents
of the capital at the reception rendered
last night by the Mount Pleasant Citizens
Association to the District Commissioners.
Commissioners Mcfarland and BiddIe lis
tened attentively to all that was said on
the subject and when the former was call
ed upon for an address he devoted his
time chiefly to answering most of the argu-
ments that had been put forward in sup
port Of the claim for the right OF ballot
and representation in Congress. Mr.. Mac
farland said the people Of the District I'M
der the present form OF government are
hardly as badly situated as they some
times imagine. He declared that at this
time the government is one of public opin-
ion more thoroughly and directly than tn
any other municipality. Commissioner
West was unable to be present, having
been called from the city.
Notwithstanding the wretched weather
the reception to the members of the DIS
tricts governing board was largely attena,
ed The sun parior of the Hotel Stratford
was handsomely decorated with potted
plants and American flags and at the con-
clrsion of the formal exercises collation.
was served.
Mr.. E. B. Townsend, president Of the as
ISOLATION presided during the reception: II
was in his opening remarks that the Key
note of the speeches to follow was sounded
After referring to the magnificent grown
of Mount Pleasant and the surrounding
territory during the past few years, MI.
Townsend came to the question OF Suffrage
He declared 1t is humiliating to realize that
here under the dome of the Capltol tne
people are denied their birthright as Ameri-
can citizens: are not permitted to, exercise
a voice in their own affairs. He next spoke
of the recent elections in Ohio and else
where, with the people voting as they
wished
The Voting Privilege a Heritage.
what a glorious heritage" he declared.
(which crowns the individual citizen with
this right to declare his choice; to exercise
his own Judgment and so prepare him and
fit him to accept the verdict as to how he
shall live and by whom he shall be gov
erned. And this is the one thing that
makes an American citizen almost ashamed
to acknowledge that he Is resident OF
the District OF Columbia, but not cltizen
in the full sense and meaning OF that
word. and here, Mr.. Commissioners, Is
where your presence with us tonight Is
most gratifying; not only because II anoros
us an opportunity Of welcoming you indl-
vidually and in your individual capacity
Fluctuations and the cordial welcome OF
this community. but because you are the
only medium. through which we can ex-
press or enforce our views and Wlsnes' the
only medium through which we can con-
tribute our share of wisdom to PUBIC
opinion and happily you have taught US 10
feel that you have our interests ana our
welfare at heart: that so Tar as II may De o.,
right and proper for you to do so. you VIII
not only respect but will obey our wishes.
for the rights and wishes of the people
must underlie every wen-regulated com
munity. Indeed they are the imperisnae e,,,
foundation upon which atoms cdh eaieiS
rest self-government.
"By your presence here tonight as at
MANY other kindred gatherings, you nave
AFFORDED the citizens OF this Districu com
forting assurance that you are wiling 10
listen to them: that you do not intend 10
ignore them; that you do intend to CONFORM
to their wishes far as 1t lies IN your
power and 1t Is proper for you to 90 SO. ana
in behalf of the Mount Pleasant Citizens
Association I deem it pleasure ana an
honor to thank you for 1t ana IN inns puo-
lie manner manifest and express our appre-
ciati of your efforts to promote spilL.
of cordiality and good-fellowship between
the board of District Commissioners anu
our citizens associations.
Associations Take Place OF Voters
Mr. F. L. Campbell. vice president OF the
,ssociation. seconded the welcoming ad-
dress of Mr.. Townsend. He said that under
the present system of government IN the
district the citizens associations take the
Mace of the voters. The Commissioners ne
said. must act as executive, judge ana jury
in all matters pertaining TO the muhlclpan-
ty Each locality asks for more than the
commissioners can give, but presents us
case earnestly Tor the Commissioners 10
consider They must act according 10
what they consider is best for the entlre
community.
Mr. Louis P Shoemaker, president of the
Brightwood Citizens Association. was next
introduced. Mr.. Shoemaker called upon the
citizens to exert themselves in support OF
the Commissioners, saying:
II firmly believe in the great advantage
to be gained by the association OF our peo-
pie and a formidable expression on their
Part of desire to assist the Commissioners
of the District of Columbia In their earnest
and ardent efforts to advance the general
welfare of our community. There Is much
more work done, and necessarily so. TO IN
form Congress of the actual needs OF the
capital city than can possibly be performed
by our Commissioners.
From Other Viewpoints.
Mr. Alphonso Hart. president of the Co
lumbia Heights Citizens Association de-
clared it was gratifying to have the Com
missioners visit the various associations
and 80 become intimately acquainted with
the immediate needs Of the locality. Mr..
Hart declared that in the new sections Of
the city the disparity between public and
private improvement was most marked.
Fine rows Of houses have been erected by
the people only to look down upon rivers
of mud called streets" He said he would
like to take the Commissioners over many
of the thoroughfares. but was afraid they
were impossible. He declared that condi-
lions would not be what they should until
the District had representatives in the
House, senators in the Senate and presi
Dental electors in the electoral college.
Mr.. John B. Henderson, former senator
from Missouri spoke from the viewpoint Of
an ex-legislator. He declared the Commits
sioners OF the District should be permitted
to go upon the floor Of the Senate and
House OF Representatives to urge the needs
Of the District. Mr.. Henderson spoke in a
humorous vein a greater part of the time
and told many interesting stories.
Mr.. Barry Buckley. secretary Of the Bust
ness Mems Association. made a stirring
plea for suffrage in the District. He con-
graduated the President. however. upon
the choice of the men now forming the
District board. He declared there was
never a time when citizens were more well
come or more cordially received at tho
District building than now. He urged the
people to uphold the hands Of the men now
wOrkinD for fhor1 hut of ho co -, a %t,-,o q,