Evening star., 1909-05-05
Consider the Washingtonian.

The Washingtonian's vital objection to
the REYNOLDS plan of local government
when II was discussed last year. was that
IL proposed not merely a single executive
head for the municipal government, Dut
also that the statute which requires local
residence of three years for civilian COM
missoners shall be abrogated. Ihe eehu-
ency of this proposition Is to reduce the
municipal government to mere 1eoerai
bureau to eliminate from 1t the last Nes-
tioa of local representation and participa-
tion. and to remove it entirely from the
influence of local public sentiment. IL
would kill ouasi-home rule by local Com
missioners and make the municlpailts
more than ever sort OF federal sali aps' >
a mere White House appendix. III aooi
tjou to the federal bureau of insuiar pos
sessions there would naturally be for the
benefit of the District of Columbia 1eo-
eral bureau of continental possessions.
and the War Department would eNtehu
its benevolent despotism to the Washng-
tonians along with the Filipinos.
The proposition is slap in the race TO
local public sentiment. Instead of desir-
ing less representation in their govern
ment most of the 100000 Westinghouse
are convinced that they are entltled 10
more Many go SO far as to demand
not ONLY that the Commissioners or gov
ernor shall be Washingtonians. but that
they or he shall be elected by Washing
tonians. In view of the very general feel-
ing of unrest and discomfort. based on
the belief that the Washingtonians as
men are unnecessarily and unfairly ig-
nored and humiliated in the exploitation
hn
this proposition to deprive them of the
last vsstige of guaranteed representation
in their local government and to substl-
t,ite an imported carpet-bagger governor
for the local Commissioners is bitterly re-
sented.
The nation already has through Con-
gress absolute and exclusive legislative
control of Washington under the Consti-
tuition. BY his power of appointment ana
removal the President for the nation has
complete control If he wishes to exer-
else it. of the local executive functions.
The national interests need no additionai
safeguard. 1t is the men of Washington,
the local member of the Nationai-capltai
partnership. who need just consideratloh.
in relief from injurious DETERMINATIONS
which are known to all Washingtonlahs
and need not be here repeated
The Reynolds proposition pictures the
nation. with all its wealth OF elements OF
absolute control over the District. as
coveting Washington's ewe-lamb OF mol
rect representation or participation In
its own municipal administration, ana
as scheming to deprive the Washingto-
nian of this vestige of American prlvl-
lege his only remaining possession
The washingtonian should cheer1uiiy
endure every sacrifice that Is absolutely
essential to national control OF the capi-
tai and to the security and welfare OF
tho nation. He should not be required
or permitted by Americans to suffer any
other sacrifices or humiliations. Presi-
dent William Henry Harrison. in his In
augural address, of 1s41, suggested the
test which should be applied to any
nroposition of deprivation or discrimina-
ton in respect to the Washingtonian,
when he said:
1T is in this District only where Amer
lean citizens are to be found who, under
a settled system of policy, are deprived
of many important political privileges,
without any inspiring hope as to the fu-
ture Their only consolation under cir
cumstances of such deprivation Is that
of the devoted exterior guards OF
camp-that their sufferings secure tran
uuillity and safety within. Are there
any of their countrymen who would
subject them to greater sacrifices, to
any other humiliatiOns than those es-
sentialIy necessary to the security OF
the object for which they were thus
separated from their fellOSv-citizens: {"