The Washington herald., 1913-08-17
CITIZENS DESIRE
Voting RIGHTS
Delegate Fight Would Be Fol-
(. lowed by Effort to Get
Representative.
CLAFLN TELLS OF PLAN
Constitutional Amendment Would Be
Necessary for Senate and House
Representation.

The campaign for the enactment Of
the bin now before the Senate District
Committee providing for representation
of the District by a delegate in Con-
gress will be followed by a vigorous
crusade for full representation.
Announcement to this effect was made
last night by officers of the District
Delegate Association. Full representa-
ton will not be sought, however, until
a delegate in Congress already has been
secured. Members of the association are
confident of the passage of the measure
now before the Senate committee for
consideration.
Bill Actively Supported.
They are bending all their efforts now
toward the enactment of this bill. 1t
provides for representation of the Dis
trict by a delegate, to be chosen by d.
rect primary. This delegate would not
have voting authority. officers of the
association believe that the securing of
a delegate is the first logical step to-
ward the ultimate emancipation Of the
people of the District of Columbia.
They realize that full representation
by two Senators and one or more Repre-
sentatives with voting authority would
necessitate the enactment of Consu-
tutional amendment. requiring a long
and persistent campaign to bring it
about. Plans for such crusade now
are being outlined. although no active
and open work will commence until the
District is first represented by a dele
gate.
Mr.. Clafiin Talks.
soon after the campaign for a Dis
trict delegate is brought to a conclu-
sion." said Roy C. Clafiin, chairman of
the association, last night, "a movement
will be inaugurated to secure full repre-
sentation for the District of Columbia in
both branches Of Congress, meaning two
Senators and one or more Representa-
tives. An organization to embody this
movement already exists in embryo.
There will be some surprises when the
strong backing for this movement, both
national and local. shall be disclosed.
I feel that all Washington citizens
who believe in the enjoyment of their
American birthright have every reason
to take heart.
THE officers of the District Delegate
Association are encouraged and delight
ed over the seemingly universal support
and favor with which the Poindexter
Congress. Con- is S>4g received. We have re-
ceived numberless expressions Of salts
faction and enthusiasm with the propo-
sition, all of which seem to indicate the
widespread approval of the measure.
The Poindexter bill now before the
District Committee is very comprehen-
sive in its scope. 1t really includes the
provisions of a general election law.
which accounts for its going so deeply
into detail. This is not without its rea
sons, for when full representation is
granted the District this most modern
and efficient general election law can be
used as the basis Of the machinery for
the election of Senator, and Represent
atives from the Distr.eA
Voting Right Advocated.
When informed of the proposed cru
sade for full representation. a prominent
Washingtonian, who has requested that
his narle be withheld, last night made
the following statement:
THE District of Columbia ought to
have full representation in Congress.
The District has larger population and
pays more taxes than each of eight
States. Its citizens have a higher aver
age of intelligence than any city in the
country, not excepting Boston. We have
Just as much right as A community Of
American citizens to help elect a Presi-
lent of the United States +n6 to have
our representatives in Congress as any
other community in the country.
We are not i'm the same category as a
Territory and, emphatically, the District
of Columbia is not a government reser-
Nation; We are on the same basis of
equality as any State.
"A bill granting representation TO the
District, as well as to allow us to take
p3rt in national elections, can be so
drawn to entirely preclude any pos
sibility of control by any undesirable
portion of our citizenship.
There is not one State in the Union
that will refuse 10 ratify the amendment
to grant these functions to the District
of Columbia.
Il will support in a most active way