Evening star., 1904-02-29

Representative Elmer J. Burkett.
ber Mr.. Burkett has been member Of
this subcommittee for several years now
and is thoroughly acquainted with local
needs and conditions. In his speech today
he reviewed the relations between the Dis
trict and the United States his remarks in
this respect being in the nature of an edu-
cation to the new members of the lower
branch of Congress. Mr.. Burkett declared
that the people of the whole country are in
terested in the upbuilding of Washington
and take pride in the efforts to make their
capital one Of the most beautiful cities in
the world
Il desire at this time" said Mr.. Burkett
addressing the chair, when we are cOnsid-
ering the annual District Of Columbia ap-
preparation bill, to submit few remarks.
generally, upon our national capital, her
government and development / believe
that In connection with the many plans for
the beautifying of Washington that have
been urged upon the attention of Congress
and the press and the people within the past
few years, some Of which are provided for
in this bill, it may be interesting and profit
able to know something more than the facts
and figures which this bill carries.
For a very few moments that shall oc-
cupy your attention / desire to give some
thing of the original plan for the completed
Washington, together with some OF the dlffl-
CuItleS tAdt nave SIOOu III the way Ol It's
consummation. l want, incidentally, to sub
NIT something in very general way of the
government Of the District and how and
whence it comes about 1t is an unique gov
ernment, nothing like it anywhere, and yet
every citizen of the republic is proud to be-
lieve that his capital is the best-governed
city in the world.
''It was a risky statement by some one
that more people have ears to be tickled
than understandings to judge But to this
bo ,iOh ha added that there
eyes to be feasted than dispositions to
know.
+ Ignorant About Washington.
"The thought suggests itself that of the
many Americans who tour Europe and the
world how few do know how their own
capital is governed. Then, too, of the
many thousands of people who annually
visit Washington and feast upon the scenes
Of art and industry, from the great galleries
to the magnificent panorama of her streets
and avenues and the great public and pri-
yate Institutions how few ever inquire into
the machinery that makes Washington the
beautiful city it is. How few ever stop to
think that in all the world besides there Is
not another city governed just like Wash
ington. Here is food for much reflection;
here is reason for much speculation upon
the power to abandon inherent rights
with the consent of the governed
"Admiring multitudes have stood in awe
before the statues Of marble and bronze
to the heroes of the republic; they
climb the shaft towering over them
all, erected to the memory OF the
father of his country; they explore
the city to it's farthest corners, for every
step is filled with historic recollections;
they are whirled through miles of streets
paved with asphaltum and admire their
width, and their length. and their ingenious
figure; they applaud the parks and the
pleasure resorts; yet. with it all, few ever
stop to ask, How is this all brought about
what is 1t that makes it possible? Whence
comes the treasure to care for this enor-
NOUS expense? And, If some one were to
tell them that they had helped to elect a
member of the common council of this
beautiful capital city there would be an
ats Of incredulity approaching Disbelief.
Nevertheless, such is the case. Their vote
nay have been cast in Maine or in Cali
fornia, in Texas or in Florida, yet every
vote for member of Congress was vote
for member of the common council of
Washington. Congress is the lawmaking
power of the national capital in exactly the
same capacity as the board Of aldermen is
for New York city, but with unlimited
prerogatives and unlimited power. That is.
there Is no law of superior importance
above Congress that would compare with
the state statutes that control the council
Of an ordinary city
Perhaps this may seem new to some
body. but II is only the refreshing OF Il
tIeacherous memory, for everybody has
read in that article of the United States
Constitution In which is enumerated the
powers of Congress:
Congress shall have power to exercise
exclusive legislation on all questions what
soever over such district, not exceeding ten
miles square, as may by the cession Of par
ticular states, and the acceptance of Con-
gress, become the seat of government of
the United States
Everybody who has ever read the Con-
stitution has once known this fact and It
only needs to be suggested for him to cali
1t vfyidly to mind. Perhaps, however, he
asked himself how that clause in the Con-
stftution Is executed. Or perhaps he NAV
think 1t has fallen by the wayside in its
hterality, supplanted by some substituted
form under our elastic Constitution by
mans ingenuity in making the old docu-
ment' adjustable to modern ideas.
1T Is safe to say that comp arativcly few
people know how this clause is carried out
or whether 1t Is even pretended to be car
fied out. and If SO, to what extent Thus
say. few people understand that within
our own confines, at the very heart of the
nation. at our own capital there is d,s-
trict of seventy square miles, inhabited by
over 100000 Of Gods creatures. Intelligent
educated. civilized, Christianzed. who not
only have no voice In the affairs of the ma
ton, but indeed exercise no control what
soever over their own local government.
This is the condition in Washington. Con-
gress does the legislating FOR the District of
government for the District, but directs the
execution of that form of government 1t
also makes Its laws, both civil and criminal
Il make9 thu rulea of evfdanea fnr .l,a