Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-10
VOTES IN THE DISTRICT
BrightWood Citizens Discuss
Limited Suffrage.
STAR EDITORIAL APPROVED
Representation Favored in Congress
and Electoral College.
COMMITTEE TO DRAFT BILL
Action Taken Following Addresses
by Judge O'Ca1laghan, President
Shoemaker and Others.
COMMITTEE TO DRAFT BILL

Representation in the Congress of the
United States and in the Electoral College
by Residents of the District of Columbia
was the subject of an interesting address
last evening by Judge Daniel O'Callaghan
at the fall meeting of the Brightwood Cit
liens Association
After complimentng The Star for its
editorial of Wednesday which dealt with
the question, the speaker read the edi-
torial aloud to the association.
L agree with The Star when it says
that the time is apparently at hand when
Wash1nStonianS, united and organized,
may demand with reasonable hope of sue
cess not merely slight change Of dubious
practical utility in a detail of their mu
nlcpal government, but American repre-
sentatlon in their national government and
local legislature-the Congress of the
United States-and in the electoral col
lege, which chooses their President he
said. The citizens of the District have
voted twice for President he continued,
the first ime at the second term OF Wash
ington and again at the first term OF
President Adams" He referred to the
act passed in 1890 and expressed the de-
sire that a similar bill be passed at the
coming session of Congress granting this
privilege.
With this object in view he suggested
the appointment of a central committee
composed of representatives of the vari-
Gus citizens associations of the District
to draft bill for the reformation of gov
eminent affairs and the shifting of re-
sponsiblities, to be presented at the COM
ing session Of Congress. That we of
the District should have the right OF
franchise is becoming more and more ap-
parent. We are American citizens and
object to any unAmerican ideas. The cit
liens of the District have already enjoyed
voting power, and there is no reason why
they should not have it now. When the
citizens voted years ago they voted as
citizens of Montgomery county and Prince
George county, Md. With the combined
strength of all Of the citizens associa-
tions Of the District behind the move
ment, ultimate success is assured.
Favors Limited Suffrage.
President Shoemaker also addressed
the meeting along these lines. stating
that he would like to be a citizen of
the United States. There is but one
answer to be made to the question" he
said, land that is that 1t should be a
republican form of government govern
ment emanating from the people. Our
children are growing up imbued with
n-Americanism. because of the fact that
they are raised here in the istrict Of
Columbia. The District should be Ameri-
canized and when this Is done the citi-
ZenS ana taxpayers WOulo NC SAuc <AhlCI -
cans The taxpayers should be permitted
to cast their woes, which could be brought
about by limited suffrage. I believe IN q
republican form of government, supported
by the people who pay their taxes and
who really support the government. l
am willing to stand by the results of the
people,
He did not hesitate to condemn the
present form of government, and while
we are told there is no graft. money is
fad nd ipin6ciOrS nYnondituFoS of
money are made: the District is not eco
nomically managed. Virtue and fraud
can exist. however, without every one
knowing it. The form now In vogue Is
truly un-American in character.
Charles c. Lancaster was the next
speaker and in the course of his remarks
he contended that the District government
is destroying the republican form of gov
early statesmen. I'VE should be given
an opportunity to vote for those whom
we wish for our rulers. The movement
which we are launching tonight will. in
my opinion, result in having decided
change in existing conditions at the COM
ing session of Congress-.
At the conclusion of the discussion Pres
ident Shoemaker announced the follow
ing committee to represent the Bright
wood Citizens Association in the central
committee: Charles c. Lancaster, Wilton
| J. Lambert. Charles w Ray and Charles
r. Newman. Louis p. Shoemaker will
be member ex-officio.
Committee Report Approved.
! The annual report of the executive COM
mittee. which was printed exclusively in
The Star a few days ago. was read by
Secretary Ray and approved by the asso-
citation.
| G. c. Lancaster introduced a resolution.
which was unanimously adopted. approx
ing the proposition Of Maj. Morrow. En-
| gineer Commissioner. for 100000 to i'm
| prove Rock Creek valley below Massa-
| chuSettS avenue, and urged that 1t be Sc
| cured i'm the appropriations at the next
| session of Congress.
| report was made by G. G. Lancaster
of the hearing last Monday before the
| District electric railway commission. and
! impressed upon the association the neceS-
| sty for immediate action to secure
| through service on the Brightwoo line
| THE demands were not unreasonable and
| we should not rest on our laurels since
| the hearing. but should follow up the
request in order to obtain results. The
| hearing was not a completion of our eff
| forts but only the beginning. The ques-
| ton is. when will we get decision and
| when will we get results?" He concluded
| by presenting a resolution expressing the
| thanks of the association to H. c. Eddy
| secretary of the commission for his able
| and thorough report on conditions on the
| BrightwoOd line and the necessity for
| through service. resolution was also
| adopted thanking the special committee
Of the association and also the joint COM
mittee. comprising the Takoma Park.
| BriglItwood. Brightwood Park. Petworth
and Park View citizens associations. for
| their efforts and reports sent to the COM