The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-06-14
REPUBLICANS MAY
FAVOR SUFFRAGE
FOR THE DISTRICT
Dr.. Robert Reyburn IS
Hopeful This VIII
Be Done.
PLANK IN THE PLATFORM
Opinion Shared by John F.
Cook, Also Delegate
to Convention.

10 convention.
Local scIf-Eovernment will be the sIo-
gan of the Washington delegation to the
Republican National convention which
begins i'm Chicago one week from to-
day.
Dr Robert Reyburn, who with John
i. Cook. is TO represent the disfran-
chised Republicans of the District in
that convention, has announced that he
viii pur forth an extraordinary effort to
induce the Republicans to incorporate in
their national platform this year some
declaration looking toward a change
I'm the form of government Of the Dis
trict to one which Is more Republican
in form and less autocratic than the
present system.
To Present the Case.
DIR. Reyburn has long been AN ardent
advocate OF popular scIf-govcrnment for
the District, and will go to tic Republi-
can convention prepared to present the
case forcibly TO the members Of the
committee on resolutions.
BY reason Of the fact that lie heads
the District delegation DR.. Rcyburn will
be chosen as one of the members Of the
platform COZ nittee. and II is his inten-
tion to make an argument before that
body 10 procure the Incorporation of a
plank favorable TO representative gov
ernment i'm the District
Or. Reyburn. of course, does not ex-
pect that the platform will declare uu-
equiovcalIy for new plan Of govern
ment for tho District but he does ex-
pect 70 get an expression I'm the plat
form which viii show that the Republi-
can party would look with favor upon
change in the form Of government
which would give the citizens OF Wash
ingtOn some voice IN the ma nagement
and direction Of local affairs.
Wants Equal Rights.
Personally. DIR. Reyburn favors ex-
tending the same rights and privileges
20 the citizens Of Washington as are
enjoyed by the citizens Of the States.
but he appreciates that such a radical
change cannot be brought about at once.
and hence he favors gradual changes
which would give the people Of Wash
ingtou Some sort Of representation and
voice I'm the local government
Mr. Cook shares DIT Reyburn's opiu-
ions upon this subject. and will also
Itself 20 local self government. The Dis
trict delegates may not get all they ask
for in the way of such recognition. but
they win make the effort and accent
whatever encouragement in this matter
that they can get. Their efforts will
be backed up by a number Of other
prominent Republicans. who have siguf-
ned their intention OF going TO the con-
V'ntion and aiding Or. Reyburu and
Mr. Cook I'm whatever way they can in
this matter.
Present Form Bad.
'The present form Of government for
the District said Dr. Reyburn. TODAY.
ia "a monstrositE, the system is a dis
grace 10 n republic. and when We shall
hnaliE have ridden ourselves Of 1t we
viii wonder how il was that we toIer-
at'a il SO long as We have done. When
u was established 1t was not couten-
plated that IL should remain pcrma-
n'nt it was only devised as tenn
IorarE eNpedieHcy. The Republican
party is party of progress. Of liberty.
ana popular government, and I Horevc
the dIv is soon coming when IL will
stand definitely committed 10 self-gov-
crumont for the District Of Columbia.
we VINO favor local scIf-govcrumcnt
iu the District have many friends in
Congress. and what is most needed is
au organized effort to accomplish some
thInE. Senator GaIlinger. the chairman
of tho District Committee iu the Sen
ate. is with ms, and there are many
others
Has Bright Hopes.
"I believe that if a proper and cner-
gctic effort is made that we will be
successful. We will have many friends
with MS in the coming national couven-
tDu. and ] certainly expect 10 have in
serted in our platform a declaration
looking toward seIf-governmcnt for the
District. II we are able TO do this we
shall have accomplished much"
Those who are aiding the movement
believe that there could Doe no time bet
ter than the present for pressing the
District matter before the Republican
convention. There is no struggle over
candidates. no issue over the principal
plauks OF the platform, lU short, nothing
which should tend TO- sidctraCk such a
question as Dr. Reyburn intends 90 pre-
sent
Republicans to Go.
Dr. Eeybgru and Mr. Cook expect IL
leave Washington either Saturday night
or sunday for Chicago. There are "a num-
ber or other prominent Republicans be-
sides the two delegates and the two al
ternates who have siRnihed their ID.
tentou OF attending the convention. ana
the most Of them VIII leave about the
same time.
IL is said that Dr Royburs and Mr..
Cook have practically agreed upon a na-
tiOnal committeeman TO succeed Colonel
Parker. who is not a candidate. but thsv
have further agreed that they viii not
uiyIlge the name OF the man until tho
morning of the convention.
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