Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-25
DUTIES OF RESIDENTS
DISCUSSION OF TOPIC BY LOCAL
UNITARIAN CLUB.
DR.. Purvis Criticises District Govern
ment-Mr. Bernard r. Green and
Others Commend #.

| continuation of the discussion of the
topic 1.-THE civic duties of residents Of the
| District" occupied the attention Of the
| members of the Unitarian Club at meet.
| ing held last evening in All Souls Church
consideration of the subject having beer
| begun at the last previous meeting. In the
| absence of the president. Mr.. Carroll D
Wright, ex-senator William E. Chandler
presided.
The subject was discussed by Mr.. Ber-
nard R. Green, Mr.. j. A. Sample, NJ. e. A.
Fay, Mr. w; E; Chandler MT. W; x Stew
ems, DR.. c. B. Purvts, Mr.. Henry F. Blount,
| Mr.. g. A. Bacon, Mr.. j. A. Hayward, Mr..
| J. B. T. Topper, Mr.. w. D. Goddard, Mr..
| e. C. Townsend and Mr.. George A. King.
Nearly all the speakers expressed the opin-
| ion that the present form of government
| is the best possible for the District of Co.
| lumbia DR.. Purvis dissenting and advocat-
ing the restoration Of the suffrage. 1t was
shown by the speakers that, though the
residents of Washington have no votes, the
most intelligent among them do virtually
control the government through the force
of public opinion, and that, though there
are no boss and no ring to night against
there is abundant opportunity to exercise
the duties of good citizenship In endeavor-
ing to secure cleaner streets and sidewalks
the conversion Of alleys into minor streets,
the creation of small parks and public play
grounds in parts of the city where there
are none, the condemnation Of insanitary
dwellings rented to the poor, the appoint
ment Of truant officers to compel the at
tendance at school of the 5000 children in
the District between the ages of eight and
fourteen years who are not in school, the
erection of more school buildings with the
addition Of ample Fairgrounds the I'M
proVement OF Industrial conditions, the sup
preston of vice, etc.
In order to make their influence most ef
fective in these directions all the members
Of the club were urged to join one or more
such organizations as the Board Of Trade.
the Business Mems Association, the Civic
Center and the citizens associations of the
various sections of the District.
The discussion took wide range from the
position maintained by DR.. G.. B. Purvis,
that there are no citizens In the District,
and in consequence no such a thing as civic
rights, to the suggestion of reforms in the
habit of people standing on street corners in
the line Of pedestrian travel. Mr.. w. x.
Stevens thought change in the latter par
ticular would be of benefit. He said the
club should exert it's influence ito have
people get out OF the way of other people
who want to walk fast" and DR.. Purvis
followed with the observation noted.
No Civic Rights in District.
IT have come to the conclusion" he said,
that there are no citizens in the District,
and. therefore. there are no civic rights
here The District merely supports the con-
stituents Of the men who are sent here by
voters. When we want a new recorder Of
deeds or a sealer Of weights and measures
OF a superintendent Of insurance, they send
out to Maryland, South Carolina or Ohio
to get them. When you and I want to get
q son a clerkship we find all the places are
filed with Maryland voters. In days Of the
mayors there was no corruption and the
District was well governed Corruption
came in with the contradiction of power in
the board Of public works do not like to
go to the Commissioners to tmportune what
Is due me as q resident. People should be
permitted to vote in the District Wealth
and power get recognition in Washington
that the mass of citizens do not"
1t was suggested by Mr.. James T. b.
upper that committees be appointed to
consider subjects relating to District affairs
and present them at later meeting of
the club for consideration Another mem
Der suggested that the club indorse the
proposed anticipating regulation in the
District, but this was objected to upon
the grounds that it would be improper for
church club to take up a matter of that
character as its first official action
Mr.. Bernard R. Green delivered an ad-
dress, In which he reviewed at length i
NUMBER or papers read at previous meet
Ing. Referring to the form of government
prevailing In the District, he said he re-
garded 1T as very satisfactory. He believ-
ed 1T to be privilege to come here and
i've and said 1t was poor taste in those
people who turned everything over in
efforts to secure government positions here
and then begin to criticse the government
of Washington as soon as they arrive and
begin work.