The Washington herald., 1912-09-16

The washington Herald Is permitted to
present the views of one citizen OF WASH
ington on the question of suffrage.
apropos Of the split in the ranks Of work
ers for this object over the half-and-
half principle OF making appropriations.
w. B. Mackenzie, a clerk in the War
Department, has made a deep study of
the municipal government, and has care
fully watched the course of events here
for many years. His views on the sub
tect go clean over to the true American
form of local government for Washing
ton, without fear or favor of Congress
or any part or parcel Of the Federal es-
tablishment.
Mr.. Mackenzie may be termed a nat
ural Progressive, so far as local matters
are concerned, and his views on the sub
ject are clearly stated and have the
stamp OF sincerity and the logic OF con-
viction. He says:
In May. 1903. Justice W. P. Stafford
made an eloquent and memorable plea
for District suffrage at a banquet at
the New Willard Hotel. Speaking OF the
people Of the District he expressed a
wish that they might be filled with d.
vine unrest at their condition. This
divine unrest" for which many be-
sides Justice Stafford have waited many
years, seems to be arriving. The tidal
wave Of popular revolt against economic
injustice and political despotism which
has been sweeping over tho country
from the Pacific to the Atlantic, seems
now to be rolling in on conservative
Washington. Within the past few weeks,
two organizations for District suffrage
have been launched. one of them calI-
ing for representation in Congress, while
the other demands not only representa-
ton in Congress. but municipal self
government.
=. Reasons for Suffrage.
1T is easy to raise imaginary or mer-
cenary objections against District suf-
frage. to raise false alarms about negro
domination, and about that other .nigger
in the wood pile that half1and-haH
principle of taxation. Undoubtedly there
are difficulties in the way Of District
suffrage, but if the people Of the District
once clearly understand how much they
nee3 the ballot to protect their rights.
and to promote the welfare of the city,
they will find way to avoid the dangers
and overcome the difficulties of which
We hear SO much.
THE reasons why the people OF the
District should exercise the right Of suf-
frage may be summarized as follows:
Il. Because the present system of
government which requires Congress to
AT as OAA Is
inefficient, and un-American, favoring the
special privileges of the few, and failing
to safeguard the rights or interests of
the many;
- Because the people of the Dis
trict should control the District govern
ment so as to secure fair and impartial
assessments. more just system of taxa
ton, efficient administration, and an
equitable expenditure Of public funds:
he ao,11A 80
should have the power to control, and II
necessary, to purchase our street railway
and lighting utilities and to operate them
for the benefit of the people so as to Sc
cure good service and more reasonable
charges:
-. Because the District people should
have the power to abolish the disgrace
full and deadly slum conditions which
exist in the interior alleys Of Washing
ton, by a scientific system of taxation,
by cheap transportation for working
people. and. il necessary, by municipal
housing;
IS. Because the system of direct legis-
lation and popular control through in
itiative. referendum, and recall, which
has proved so successful in several West
ern cities. would work equally well in
and would prevent the re-
currence of machine rule or corrupt po-
litical practices;
&c. Because local self government would
arouse the people from their sleepy
inertia and would develop public spirit
and city patriotism.
In the light Of municipal experience
here and elsewhere, those who imagine
that Congress. even with the aid of
a District delegate. will ever right our
local wrongs or solve our local prob
lens, are dreamers and visionaries. On
the other hand, municipal self-govern-
ment is an eminently practical proposal.
II is in line with the new and efficient