Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-17
7WODELEGATESURGED
District Representation in the.
House.
Mr.. KLINE'S ARGUMENT
Describes Local Growth, Wealth and
Population.
MANY STATES ARE SURPASSED
Contends That Justice Requires That
Washington Be Given a Voice
in Legislation.
Mr.. KLINE'S ARGUMENT
MANY STATES ARE SURPASSED

Representative Kline Of Pennsylvania,
during consideration of the District of
Columbia appropriation bill by the House
this afternoon. made u speech in support
of his bill providing for the election of
two delegates to represent the District
on the floor Of the House OF Representa-.
tives.
Since the present form Of government
was established by congressional action"
said Mr.. Kline. the city and District
have made phenomenal progress and adj
vancement. The boundaries of the city
have been extended beyond the widest
anttcfpations. its public buildings and
private edifices are OF a character and
magnitude of which any city must feel
proud. and it's beauty. its cosmopolitan
characteristics and attractiveness ara
constantly attracting people from all
parts Of the United States, even of the
whole world
Although 1t is the smallest political sub.
division In the Union the District Of CO.
iumbia outranks twenty-five states and ter
ritortes in point of wealth The wealth
OF the District In 1904 was 81 O4O $50 113 an
increase since 1900 of Sill. 100, 900, or a lit
tie over IL per cent. The wealth of the
District exceeds that OF Maine New Hamp-
West Virginia. North Carolina. South Caro-
lima, Florida, North Dakota, South Dakota
Alabama, Mississippi louisiana Arkansas
Indian Territory. Montana. Idaho. Wyom-
ing, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada
and Oregon. 1t is nearly five times as
great as the wealth of Nevada, three times
that or Wyoming. each OF which has two
senators and one representative; IL is three
times the wealth of Vermont or Idaho
twice that of New Hampshire and South
carolina and two and one-half times as
great as Florida and Utah. And the wealth
OF Georgia. Vermont, Tennessee, Colorado
washington and Louisiana are all In the
same class
Has 1t ever occurred to you that It was
Of the highest Importance that the people
of the District of Columbia should have
delegate or delegates on the floor of the
House to protect the interests of the Dis
trict and to advise and deliberate on Dis
trict affairs with the members Of the
House representing constituencies In the
country at large?
Object Of the Bill.
with this In mind. that the people of
the District. for proper protection of
their interests. ought to have a representa-
tive In Congress. I introduced during the
early session of this Congress a bill pro-
viding for the election of two delega >s to
represent the District in Congress. with
power to debate and vote on all questions
Of legislation affecting the District. 1t
should have at least the same character OF
representative In the federal Congress that
is. and has been for many years. accorded
to the territories. and which the oosses-
stons OF Porto Rico. Hawaii and Alaska
are now enjoying.
1T may be generally admitted that for
the District of Columbia, II self and popu-
lar government are to be denied the pres
ent form OF government Is good and as
satisfactory as can be devised by human
minds. but. on the contrary. / also believe
that there are many good citizens who like
wise believe and contend that for apparent
reasons. and for the benefit of the District
OF Columbia. 1t should have representation
in the House.
Before preparing my bill | did not con-
suit with any one interested in the admins
tration of affairs of the District, / did not
OBTAIN the advice of any member of Con-
gress, nor did l have in mind many of the
potent reasons why such legislation should
be enacted that have since been brought to
my attention.
District Support Of Government.
Such proposition is clearly Just and
reasonable. The people OF the District have,
from the foundation of the government.
contributed their fair proportion for its
support both in peace and war In the
war with Spain the District furnished
twice as many volunteers in proportion to
its population as any state In the Union
1t contributes by taxation one-half the
cost of its local government. 1t contributes
to the payment Of internal revenue tax, an
enormous item, in aid of the payment Of
the expenses Of our government and |
am told that In 1891 the District paid over
four times much per capita as fifteen
states and five territories, including Alas
ka. and paid nearly that proportion ever
since.
with all the burdens and contributions
1t Is denied representation. 1t Is the only
place in the United States where the cti-
zens have no voice in the selection of the
men designated to rule them. or I'm the dis
position of the taxes they are compelled to
pay. 1t was never contemplated by the
founders of the government that the citi-
Zens of the District should become political
1t never their intention
that the citizens OF the District should be
deprived Of all voice In their own govern
ment
The Importance Of representation was
not so great years ago when the population
was small
But today. with its wealth. interests and
population exceeding and SURPRISING many
Of the states of the Union, / see many OBJ
vtous reasons why it's people should have
In Congress The population
of the District Is within a small fraction
sufficient to entitle II to two representative
In the House. 1t Is greater than a dozen of
our states, and the amount Of taxes paid Is
larger than Is raised by some of the states
for state purposes. and yet these states
have two senators and a representative.
and several two representatives"