The Washington herald., 1908-04-17
HOME RULE EFAVORRD
Sims Urges Fight for Local
Franchise.
IS MEANING OF DEMOCRACY
Tennesseean Inquiries What Special
Qualifications Are Necessary In
Washington Before SeIf-Eovern-
ment Is Granted if Republicans
Propose TO Give FiIipinos Same.


I have tried, ever since / have had any
idea at all Of conditions in the District
to work up a spirit among the people
here 10 demand a measure of local self
government. Try 10 bring about such
result in the District.
This was the advice given 10 members
Of the District Of Columbia Democratic
Association last night by Representative
T. II. Sims, of Tennessee. in an ad
dress before that organization.
New York situation cited.
The meeting was called to order by
the president. Edwin A. Newman. with a
few remarks with reference to the action
Of the New York Democrats in not indors-
ing Bryan.
Representative Gilbert Hitchcock. Of
Nebraska, made a short address. He said.
IN part:
I. has occurred to me that the important princi
PIE Of the campaign upon which we are soon 20 en-
ter viii be essentially econonic Il viii not be a
,amIaim Of emotions Il VIII not be a campaign
Z sentiment.
But it is going TO be largely a bread and batter
proposition for the American people. With slch an
Tia, the Democratic party stands in an attitude Of
thar advantage.
Address Of Representative Sims.
Representative Sims was the next
speaker introduced. He said in part:
I have ALWAYS understood that one definition Of
Democracy meant home ule local control. self
government Why. even Republicans arc 50 Demo
cTafic IN that respect that they Say they going
70 give the kliipinos seltg0venment whenever they
ars qualified 90 enjoy it qualified 20 accept 1t.
f4e- faaa slar- 4Aa
idea that enlightenment goes Hith qualification.
and qualification. I suppose. Of course. in their
lefniton. means education, cvilizatiou attainments
Vel, ros. here In the District Of Columbia We
have the highest JyIe Of average attainment. from
tAe Intellectual the moral and every standpoint OF
civilized man. in every way. They are soiug 10 gire
tHe iuiTinos self lf-EoYeument when they are quail
ned ard When ! ask them. When are you going %
siye ZEE Distric; Of Columbia local selfgovernment
'hey are MP against It. They do not say when.
Washington Faces Degenerncy.
think that in q republic selfgovenment breeds
7slfIezronsibility and self-respect And it is the
mis- vas to have the highest type Of citizenship.
Hence. do not think the Filipino viii reach that
5ricd in which he wiz be qualified for self govern
nert II vou neref faust him with any part Of It,
and I think the people o. the District Of Columbia
VII degenerate if We never give them ans part in
Tie government
Now. Of course, in the District Of Columbia. I
slow IL IS peculiar II Is net State. 1t Is not county.
is not city. IL Is nation, 10 l. state, it is county,
and 1t is municipal al combined.
OF course under the Constitution. Congress has
exclusive legislative sctioE. We alone can
ies.sate toI yea. Bat do not understand that that
a-e-lrily means taat sou have no sort Of local
control that because the legislative power is vested
10 Congress. necessarily al administrative and
executive functions must be- also national.
Take The rulers the e1eCutioner Of the laws those
Tao administer the laws and those who make them
,ust as far from the subjects 1hey CoutUi as yGu
possinlJ can and hgW can you expect the highest
2b;eiHable results.
Election ny the People.
WIZ cannot the Commissioners Of the District be
elected hr the intelligent people Of the District
Why cannot an the executive officers that have 70
DO With pIreJ local municipal affairs in no vav ia
conflict With The national gegemment-Why cannot
they All be- elected hv the citizens Of the District OF
Columbia by their ewn yoieg
believe thar It Is democratic. Try TO bring
about sHch result in this District bat II cannot
he done without great effort. Yen have been away
from q co long that It il ike We members of the
House n RepreseutatiFes-We have been machinizad.
nachinerued and bossed and controlled 50 long
re never feel more natugsl than when VIC are being
SUCKED and gagged.
Agitation and effort Upou yoW part VIII bring
lhut and restofe 10 you that home rule that seems
o. ne % be thc brightest and most chaste inheTi-
2re- self control ard local control
WIS should y0u he taxes, Ei5h no voice whateTer
as tc how those taxes are to he applied WHY
shorld 7 come up here from Tennessee thousand
miles. 10 sit down here and legislaie how your
=Chools shall be CONTROLLED Why should We do its
n the first place II is not Tght In the next place
my such government must necessarily be inefficient
l0u must certainly hare election laws he4e Il
rtl bring glCd results as they do anywhere else
7 come from the South. where we are sometimes
accused II passing laws that discriminate against
men of one color in favor oi those OF another and
Is said We world not b. suitable persons 20 legs
'l.e as 20 what kind Of a ballot law should apply
TO the people Of the District of Columbia
/ introduced a bill have IL there now and
-uprose It wil STAY there -he balance at time-re-
HiFinr that an purely local municipal Offices should
be SLED hv appointment Of citizens Of the District
ri Columbia who have not exercised or claimed
zenship anywhere else for three years prior to the
.ppcirtuent.
Why, I Garnet even get IL considered in executive
F0ssi03. Oath-hUmd seCrecg would not permit that
H r. have auythiug ike fair treatment,
Mr. Sims. in closing. paid tribute 10
Eryau.
William c. McIntire addressed the asso-
citation. as did William Z. Ryan, Of New
York City and Washington.
A large number of new members were
taken into the association.
After the regular meeting. a meeting OF
the executive committee was held.