The Washington herald., 1906-11-26
OTTAWA is QUOTING DASH
Washington Attorney ROundly Crit
icised District Government.
Taken 90 Task by Citizens Here, He
Stands Firmly by the Views He
Expressed in Private Letter.

The eyes Of Ottawa, the capital OF Can
ada. are still turned toward Washington,
and many Of them believe they see in the
government by commission Of the Dis
trlct Of Columbia a desirable improve
ment over their form OF municipal gov
eminent The press OF Canada is very
earnest in the discussion and the board
Of trade Of Ottawa. has gone so far az
20 recommend d change 20 district
about Ottawa. something Ike the
District q Columbia. II has been sug-
gasted that a glebiscite on the question
should be taken at the next ottawa civic
election. to be held in January. 1907 but
considerable number Of Ottawa prop
srty holders are opposed 70 the idea Mr.
n. 3. +. Mcfarland, president Of the
Board Of District Commissioners here.
recently went to Ottawa, and spoke elo-
auently Of the beauties of this form Of
government
The Toronto Globe Is rather inclined to
oppose the project. saying that The
municipal management Of the American
Capital is among the institutions 20 which
distance lends enchantment" The Globe
I declared that when a commission was
once appointed by the Federal govern
ment to investigate the Washington com
mission a deplorable state Of affairs was
found Some Of the assessments were
/ found to be much too low and other evils
/ mot specified were discovered.
I Mr. John 3. Daish, a well known young
I Washington attorney. is quoted by many
OF the Canadian papers. To a citizen Of
ottawa he wrote as follows.
I IT the people OF Ottawa desire the worst pos
/ sib.e form OF municipal government II they wish
% have an irresponsible and irresponsible STATE gov
eminent. il they wish to have a government dumi
/ mated by a clique. ard If they wish to commit
suicide TO their individual franchises strongi5
/ urge the adoption of the system 81 government
/ which we haze 10 this District. As a matter O.,
/ fact. but one reason permits US 20 tolerate the
abuses under which VIC live: that is that one thrc
I Of our population, beth actual and capable Of vot
/ ing, is negro Under such circumstances you car
WCl see that a few dcmagogues along with th'
I C80red vote would and perhaps ruin US We
prefer % suffer the evils we have than tiy q
/ those Ne know not Of l not familiar viii
I tie municipal government Of Ottawa. but u Car
be no worse than ours. IL is true. our government
/ SO far as finances are concerned is an honest one
I in fact il has % he. for the United states gov
I ernncut officials audit the accounts There i
nothing else 20 commend in our form Of govern
ment''
The Canadian Club. of Ottawa, invited
! Spea kers conversant with municipal af-
! fairs to present their views before it, and
this club consists of 800 representative
men Of Ottawa City and province
That distinguished writer, Prof. Gold
win Smith, also came TO the rescue oil
the good name Of Washington, and in q
reply to the communication from MIR
Daisn, wrote:
II happen 70 have had the opportunity Of sub
hitting Mr.. Daishs structure cn the city govern
ment Of Washington 60 American friend loni
resident in that city. Ny friend expressed extrem
[ surprise Ar Daish while he uses some very strOn
language. points out no specific failure or abuse
The special mode Of appointing the commission a
washington would be inauDliClbiC elsewhere. Bu
all my observations and infouaants have deceive
me il the administration does not show the ad
| vautsges of skilled stable and really responsible
government"
The views Of numerous Washington.
ians have been sought by letter. and al
most without exception they commend
the District Of Columbia form Of govern
ment But the Daish letter continues L
bob up and confront the champions ot
the proposed change. Mr. Daish said las
evening that his letter was not writer
for publication, but he stands by every
word he said. Some prominent Wash.
/ ingt0nians have taken him to task. but
he refuses to yield his position.