The Washington times., 1908-02-09
WOULD STRENGTHEN
DISTRICTS CLAIMS
Popular Interest in PEima-
ries Would Weigh Much
at Capital.

Harry LOudenslageT. Representative ia
Congress from New Jersey, and score
tary OF the Republican Congressional
Committee. has joined the ranks of
those who are trying 70 make the Dis
trict Of Columbia a factor in national
politics.
He also believes that. Il the citizens OF
the District will give evidences Of their
interest in politics by voting In the
primaries that will be held here in the
spring for the selection of delegates
from the District to the Republican Ma
tIoual Convention in Chicago the Dis
trict will secure better recognition from
Congress and the Administration.
1t has long seemed a matter Of sin
ceTe regret he said yesterday. that
the Districts citizens viii not display
more interest in the political field that
is open TO them. The Republicans here
do not make the most Of their OppOT-
tunities-
4 make this comment because I have
read the appeal TO Republican voters
here issued q week or so ago by Sidney
Bieber, chairman Of the board Of cleo
tons for the arrangements for holding
the Republican primaries in the District
than TO elect two delegates to the ma
tional convention of their party, but
it seems unfortunate. AS long as there
IS even this opportunity, that it does
not appeal to them as Of sufficient i'm
portance TO enlist their interest.
''lf the voters of the District could be
brought to realize that exercise Of the
political franchise is one of the chief
q Of nd q
Oastrate their personal interest in the
/ primaries by registering AMI voting for
their candidates. they would indeed
be in a better position to present 10 the
administration their claim FOX recogni-
ton Of the principle of local Offices 10
local men.
In the absence OF the elective fran
chise here in the District the right to
vo-e for delegates TO the Republican
national convention should be looked
upon in the light of a privilege and
every Republican here should jealousy
and zealOusly guard it as such. Politi-
! cal inertia. whether with respect 10
national, State, or municipal contests,
! or 10 a contest for the selection of con-
vention delegates, is indicative of an
unhealthy condition and must inevitably
]
material and political advancement Of
| The community in which It is found.
Particularly is it unfortunate when
such inertia is found TO be confined to
the better element of the population.
to the people who could exercise q
vast influence for good, out who are too
careless, too lazy, or too Indifferent to
make the attempt
AS Mr.. Bieber says in his appeal, the
Importance Of the local pTimaTIIs in q
local sense has been vastly underes-
tInated. l can think of nothing that
would do more to help the District ia
material way, besides raising 1t Won
derfully IN the opinion Of those who
I have always viewed the political stu
alton here with something akin TO con-
/ tempt, than a. convincing demonstration
at the polls that the people of Wash
lngton are not lacking to any degree
in the pride OF citizenship and the pow
eT Of political conviction.
organizations and in3N idualS should
work together for the good of the party.
The two delegates that are sent to the
convention should be repr sentative of
the choice of a majority q. the Repub-
hcans of the District, ard should be
men of whom the people can we'll af-
ford 70 be proud. / sincerely trust to
see the spring primaries more than a
cut and dried affair or-woTse-a farce"