The Washington herald., 1912-09-29
DISTRICT SUFFRAGE
FORCES ORGANIZE
Those Working to CT Delegate in
Congress Form District DIE.
gate Association.
ROY C.. eLAFLm CHAIRMAN

dennite organization, caliing II the LIE
trict Delegate Association. The asso-
citation is composed OF various organi-
cations and individuals favoring the
representation of the District of CO.
lumbia In Congress by an executive
council, which consists of the following
members: Roy c. Clahin, chairman;
Frank ]. Hogan. Progressive national
committeeman for the District; Ellen
Spencer Mussey. dean Of the Washing
ton College of Law and former vice presi-
dent of the Board Of Education; William
NICK Clayton. president OF the Fedora
ton of Citizens Associations. and James
F. Oyster, president Of the Chamber OF
| Commerce.
/ Little business was transacted yester-
day aside from affecting the organiza-
ton. A committee consisting of Mrs
Mussey and Mr.. Clayton was appointed
| to draw up proposed qualifications TO
1 govern the franchise to be used In elect
| ing the delegate. 1t is their intention
to make a special study of the various
State laws bearing on the subject and to
incorporate the best points which they
| find.
Mr.. Oyster, in becoming a member Of
the council. expressed his enthusiasm for
the cause OF securing a delegate in Con-
gress for the District. He believes, with
the other members OF the council, in the
strict preservation Of the half-and-halr
principle. and stated that he shall con-
| tinue that stand at all meetings OF the
council.
Mr.. ClafiIn is preparing to send letters
to the various organizations of the city,
including the citizens associations, re-
questing them to express their stand on
the proposition Of delegate representa-
ton. The letter was submitted to the
council and approved. 1t reads as fol-
lows:
ala, rh-,,tA
for your consideration the following
resolution:
Resolved; That It is the sense Of this
organization that the District of Column
bia should be represented in Congress by
an elective delegate"
Please observe the following points as
to the scope OF the resolution:
1t does not contemplate a change in
the present form of government, while
at the same time 1t does not specify that
there are no faults existing under the
present form.
The resolution in no way affects the
continuation OF the half-and-half plan
Of taxation which requires that the Fed
eral government shall pay its Just share
of the Capitals expenses as our joint
partner
The resolution provides that the dele
gate shall be elective, thus making him
representative OF the people themselves.
A delegate is specified, rather than
full-fiedged representative. for the rea-
son that to secure the latter would re-
quire a constitutional amendment. con-
suming years to accomplish, while DEL
egate to the House can be granted by
Congress alone, even at the next ses-
sion.
word as to the advantages in having
a delegate to represent us in our law
making body-note three points In par |
ticular:
It would expedite local legislation, be-
cause the delegate would be in position |
to push the progress Of bills which can
now be and are regularly pgeonholed.
II would render Congress more sympa- !
thetic toward the needs OF the District |
people. for We would be assured a hear |
ing before all committees on all bills, |
which we do not and cannot now get.
1t would enable Congressman to legis- !
late more intelligently for the District. |
since II would be part OF the business !
of the delegate to supply accurate in |
formation on all points under considera-
tion by Congress or the committees.
Advantage in Delegate.
Besides the many advantages in hav-
ing a delegate in Congress, there are
many reasons on general grounds why |
the District should be granted this rep
1t is right as a principle OF American
ism that a community of citizens shall
have a voice in the control OF its af
fairs.
1t is just that a portion of the nation
which has population greater than
that OF many States at the time of their
admission to the Union should be repre-
sented in their own legislative body.
1t is logical for We citizens who fur
= hal ha nf 10 n
have some official voice in legislation af- :,
fecting the disbursement of our taxes.
1t is fair for the Capital City of the
nation to be on a par with the remotest
territorial possessions which all have
representation in Congress.
1t is inevitable that what is right.
what Is just, what is logical, what is
fair. shall ultimately triumph. The spark
which kindled the revolution was the re-
sentiment Of the false principles of tax
alton without representation" That spark
Of love for liberty still glows in the
hearts of true Americans, and Congress
must one day acknowledge the citizens
of the District to be true Americans, and
II they themselves are as much. then they
cannot deny us what they themselves
would fight for.
In conclusion. let me state that there
ere many details to be worked out in
the process OF this project becoming a
reality, and urge that differences OF opin-
ion and personal preferences shall not
obstruct the progress of a move designed
to better the political condition OF the
District people. All should join issues as
nearly as possible.
We have many strong men in both
branches of Congress who are pledged
to the cause. The forces are lining up.
We want your moral support, and better,
your active support in working with US.
Many of you may believe in going
much further than asking for delegate
We admit that a dele
gate in Congress will not and cannot be
lbe means of solving all our civic prob
lens. But, however. the securing of this
in Congress will be an
Important step onward, and will prove
a great moral victory, establishing the
justice of our claim to greater consid-
grafton.
Please forward your action in this
matter to the District Delegate Council"
Room 404, McLachlen Building, city. We
zsk that the resolution be put up to your
for an open vote, and trust
that no parliamentary tactics shall be
by those opposed to the project
10 defeat a fair vote on it. All we ask is
that your organization shall go on rec
,rd as favoring or opposing the PROPOSE
ton. Yours respectfully,
ROY C. CLAFLIN.