Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-11
At THE WHITE HOUSE
Petition for Suffrage in the
District
GIVEN To PRESIDENT
ST. LOUIS WANTS BOTH PRESI.
DENTAL CONVENTIONS.
Ex-senator Harris Of Kansas Candi-
date for Isthmian Canal Commits
sion-Today's Callers.

upon congress lNe cSthUisoh"ChVpOA SUI
frage form of governments in the District
of Columbia The petition was presented
by Frank Morrison, secretary Of the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor; DR.. Robert Rey-
burn. dean of Howard University. and DIR.
c. B. Purvis. The President received the
papers and said he would be pleased to
give the subject consideration. The petit
ton is first signed by four officials Of the
American Federation OF Labor, members
of the executive board Of that body. They
are Samuel Gempers, Frank Morrison,
James Duncan and james so'Connen.
Among the local signers of prominence
are w. F. GUIDE, president Of the Business
Mems Association, B. H. Warner and all
the members of the faculty OF Howard
University. Many; strapg letters accom-
pany the petition.
The petition is as follows:
"The undersigned, believing that the ex-
listing form Of government In the capital
of the republic is contrary to TN, sne i, iunaa, ga
that taxation and Representation ought TO
20 together respectfully but very earnest
" request yoti to urge upon Congress the
establishment Of a repuMican form OF gov
ernment in the District OF Cotunbia-
For nearly three-quarters of century
after the, District Of. Columbia hecame the
seat Of the government 0f the umted states
the residents Of the Dtstric4 Possessed and
exercised. the rights ana privileges OF
American freemen IN Ine tmattef VI iocoi
self-government.
was established by Congress- as tenn
porary' arrangement, but 7notwhhsta tand1ng
that fact, was made permanent. IN 1873
THAT the existing form OF government
in the District Of Columbia Is unrepublican
and undemocratic, and therefore un Ameri-
can,- is conceded even, by. fits most ardent
"Mr. Henry B. F.. Maefaraand, president
of the Board OF District Commissioners.
says that In form the present government
Of the District of Colunbias is M absolute
autocracy, not legally responsible to the
people; that it is an exoeptton TO all other
governments in the Eniteds states, In that
it provides for taxation without represen-
tation, and is autoeratis inform. .,ssE 80.
"Since 1874 numerous EFFORT ID nave been
made by business and, professional men.
supported by the workinkmen OF this city
and Of the whole eountry. through their
organizations, to INDUCE CONGRESS- TO re-
establish in this District a government in
harmony with the spirit and Institutions Of
the republic, but SO far. without success.
Resolutions requesting theasPresident- to
recommend to Congress the sre-estAb!ish-
in the capital Of the repSblic have recently
been passed by the Untan Veterans Union,
a national organisation Of men who fought
for the preservation of the Union from 1851
TO 1850, ana Dy the Am6IICdH cucfdI1Oii VI
Labor composed of more than million
American workingmen.
''As measure OF immediata relief we de-
sire the passage Of Senate Joint resolution
No. 1872, proposing arrangement to the
the District OF Columbia representation in
Congress and in the eleetofal college, and
respectfully request that yon recommend
the enactment OF thee 5esoisti1ns copy
THE organic law Of our republic has not
only made you the President Of over eighty
millions Of people, but has laid upon you
the additional burden OF being the chief
executive Of the District Of Columbia.
Defects in Present System.
I'VE respectfully call your attention to the
following fatal defects Ia the system Of gov
ernment now prevailing in the District Of
Columbia. .se.
"First-That the present government Of
the District of Columbia is arbitrary, tyran-
nical and exists in direct violation of all
the principles on which this government was
founded. and Of the Constitution Of the
United States. >
'Second-That the immense sums annual
ly levied upon the citizens Of the District of
Columbia by taxation are most unfairly dis
tributed, the rich corporations and large
property y-owners being systematically favor
ed by the reduction Of their tax assess
ments, thus imposing a greater burden upon
the smaller property owners Of the District.
For the above and many other reasons
winch can be given' we respectfully ask
that you will call the attention of Congress
to the fact that three hundred thousand
residents Of the District of Columbia are
disfranchised, and deprived Of every right
and privilege Of citizenship
st. Louis Wants Both Conventions.
St. Louis will try to get both of the polit-
ical party conventions next year Repre-
sentative Bartheldt OF. St Louis, who had
talk with the President on general topics
today. told the chief executive that St
Louis was a candidateSfor the next repub-
hcan convention. 5ssWe want to nominate
You in that city" Mr. Barthoadt told the
St. Louis next year, and both of the con-
Yentions will prubHBfy meet there" Mr..
Bartholdt told the snewspaper7men there
was no question In his mind of the nomIna-
Idly for the nomination Of thehPresident," /"
said Mr.. Bartholdt. that mo- power can take
the deigates OF our state1awaysfrom him" "
The President waa informed by State
there Is no question that he! Will have the
delegation from that STATE Senator Guern-
sey is the presiding officer Of the Wyoming
Senate He was presented - the Presi-
The Presidenk.s MAstsrx Trip.
Representative BaTtholtk anE Represen-
tative Slayden OF Texas both talked to the
President about his coming western trip.
The President Is to be In st. Louis April 80
to take part in the dedication ceremonies
then. From st. Louis he Will set out on his
western tour. going through Kansas and
Colorado into southern California. Prior to
going to 81. Louis he Will sattempt a.
season sci hnntiz9. He hopes to leave
Washington oag aghfs TRIP the last OF March.
He will hunt in Colorado and probably in
YeIiowstone Park. The details OF these
trips have not been made UP. but the Presi-
dent Is hoping to get good rest before the
long western trip. The trying work OF the
winter has not been conducive to the main
tenance OF that h0afty and mental yigor
that the President desires.
Representative Dovennen Of West vir-
ginia saw the President tqleY to ask him;
to attend the annual enc&Mpment of the
West Virginia g. A. r.. at S,Iarksburg on
the 18th. 18th and 30t4 OF April. The Fresi-
dent regretted that he would not be able to
ACCEPT the invitation saving that al fha