Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20
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Association said President Roosevelt has
recommended that there shall be i'm
mediate action in the matter OF a change
in the form of local government. notwtth-
standing reports to the effect that he was
opposed to any change. He then offered
as substitute for the report Of the suf-
TRACE committee a resolution indorsing
President Roosevelt's recommendation for
one-man rule. adding the proviso that
the proposed governor be elected "by the
qualified voters OF the District of Column
bia.''
He said such Endorsement would be the
first step toward the final consummatiOn.
Mr.. Potter argued that a delegate In Con-
gress would be without power to do
things for his constituents. The position
Of a delegate would be untenable If there
remained the present triumvirate form OF
commiSsiOnerShip.
Mr.. Oyster stated that he had been mis-
represented in certain newspapers as
Central Labor Union. representing ap-
proximately $4,000 citizens of the District
of Columbia, would favor his plan pro-
viding for ten commissioners. five to be
elected by the people and five to be APP
pointed by the President of the United
States. He said his plan also provided
for a delegate in Congress, but he con-
siders the delegate matter the most insig-
nificant part of the whole. He referred
to Commissioner Macfarland's statement
form OF government in the District Is
absolutely autocratic," and added:
II the present form Of government here
is to be continued. then favor the Presi-
dents one-man rule proposition
Feather Buster" Bugaboo.
He said the feather duster legislature
bugaboo has again been resurrected to
brighten the people from suffrage. Mr.
Oyster argued that the class Of non-rep-
resentative citizenship that prevailed in
the Feather duster'' days does not prevail
here now.
1--WE should not be satisfied" he con-
cluded. with adopting the bare delegate
in-Congress proposition. and allowing the
few people who have ruled IN the DIS
trict 50 long to continue to rule
DIR. Emmons said IL the newspapers cor
rectly reported District Commissioner Mac
farland he is in favor of suffrage here, as
he was quoted as having SO expressed
himself
Mr.. Thompson asked that it be made
a matter Of record that the North Capt.
tol and lexington Citizens Association
does not favor the election of delegate
in Congress. or any change in the pres
ent form OF government except the cleo
ton of the Commissioners.
Capt. Williams stated that W. c. Chip
man was the last delegate the District
had in Congress.
HE was placed on the committee on
territories and did not have as much in
fluence In matters affecting the District
as my little fox terrier would" he de-
clared.
Capt. ]. Walter Mitchell announced that
the Randle Highlands and Twining City
Citizens Association favored a representa-
tive in Congress: that the organization
does not favor a change of the present
form of government at this time.
The resolution offered by Capt. Potter,
indorsing President Roosevelt's one-man
governments governor-was then adopt
ed. there being but a few votes in the
negative.
Mr.. Oysters Plan Adopted.
The plan Of E. W. Oyster was next
adopted. 1t provides for ten commits
sioners, five to be elected by the people
of the District Of Columbia to represent
the several sections, and FIVE to be ap-
pointed by the President of the United
States, to serve three years each: that
delegate in Congress shall be elected by
the people: that the qualifications for the
voter shall be that he shall be able to
read and write the English language or
pay taxes on 500 in real or personal
property; that the secret ballot system
be adopted In the District of Columbia
and severe penalties be provided for
fraudulent registration or voting.
A provision was then adopted favOring
the home-rule policy in selecting the Of
ficeholders in the District. and that there
he no importations from the states.
On motion of Capt. Mitchell the chair
man was instructed to appoint a commit
tee Of FIVE. including Chairman Shoe
maker. to present the recommendations to
the President Of the Senate, the Speaker
of the House and the chairmen of the
Senate and House committees on the Dis
trict of Columbia.
A rising vote was extended to Chair
man Shoemaker and Col. 0. G. Staples of
the Riggs House for the use Of his par
Tors as a meeting place.
The convention at 1916 pm. adjourned,
subject to the call Of Chairman Shoe