Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-13
OBLIGATION
FOLLOWS POWER
If Nation Repudiates Capital
Obligation It Must in Honor
Surrender Capital Control.
RETROCESsIOM
OR STATEHOOD
The Nation Controlled Capital.
Created by the Forefathers.
Must Not Be Destroyed
>pril ~. lalt,

]. The nation should not re-
pudiatc its hall obligation III re-
>pcct to capital maintenance: tor
the logical sequence 81 such action
j. surrender of all power and cN-
elusive jurisdiction IN respect to
the District OF Columbia. and the
destruction ol the nalion-coll-
trollcd capital. conceived and Gre
atcd BY the forciathcrs. IL. The
nation should not diminish its hall
contribution to oapitalupbuild-
ing: for the logical sequence OF
such action is surrender BY the ma
ton ct control OF the capital mt
nicipalitv To the local majority
stockholders. Power and oblisa-
ton arc inSeparably coupled: and
ii tile latter IS DESTROYED OF dl-
mili>hcd. the former is III equity
DESTROYED or diminished in pro-
portion. ILL., The " ashingtonian.
eager To exercise bis american
right ui iull representation in
Congress. should not need to de
strov the half-and- hali law in or
der 10 get ii. As a taxpayer and
potential soldier Of the nation he
is entitled to, and should enjoy.
this representation. whether Con-
cross for the nation retains or sur
renders control and exclusive
power OF legislation in respect to
the capital.
Ii the nation repudiatcs entirely
It's national-capital obligation en-
ccpt in direct relation to public
buildings and grounds it must in
honor surrender ali exclusive
legislative power i'll respect to
the District Of Columbia. 1t must
set up here a sovereign state OF
Columbia. by constitutional
amendment repeating the ten
miles square provision: or it must
retrocede to Maryland the portion
ii the District ceded by Mary
land over century ago to form
the seat Of government.
This action. dissolving the ma
,ional capital partnership, di-
vorces absolutely capital and ma
lion. changes the seat oi govern
ment from the District to the area
occupied by public buildings or
used as public grounds, or neces-
sarv for any national purpose. and
DESTROYS ashington as the ma
ton city
This step should not be taken:
I'D Because. tending to bank
rupt and depopulate the city
which will take the place Of the
former capital. ii will result in a
shabby and discreditable environ
ment oi the seat oi government
humiliating to national seli-re-
spect.
~ 1t Will be dishonorable. de
eiroving equities and vested rights
which spring from the centurv-old
pledge. based on a valuable con
~ideration. To preserve and de
Nelnp Washington as the perma
ncnt national capital. The ma
ton d. hall owner vi Washing
tons original lot> made thi>
pledge t. each purchaser 81 a loi
from ii a. distinctly a il tho
pledge had been written III tho
decd.
~ 1t Will offend The fine
strong spirit of american nation
.litv. The rational capital i no1
only the symbol 81 Union. but i If
it>cli a patriotic, unilving inf1u
vncc. The nation should not anC
viii not DESTROY this material en-
budimcut Ut the union OF ths
states. this bond and token of Tho
spirit OF american nationality.
Tho idea OF Withdrawing from stat
ioVcr and the control ~ is residents
,.rtion OF territory to serve I'll. seat o
government under the exclusive Juris,iic
.,nr, OF the people Of the whole Union
~ r,presented by Congress. seems L
have obtained . strong hold upon TIL
winds OF the founders Of the republic
MANY desired to strengthen the notio
nf :, union by giving the general govern
t-.nt an exclusive territory. a center o
federal action. controlled by il alone
safe iraIotIsies had some Influence In tn
matter The jurisdiction of amy one stat
,,e- M. seat of government would.
was thought. give that state. 10 some eX
tent control over the general govern
rrsut itself Exclusive jurisdiction an
ih,. mower 10 call out the militia Won,
also IL was considered. enable Congress
To protect itself in ease of riot or othe
disturbance. The fact. now Worn thread
hare bv constant allusion, rene,r
i...red that Congress. while meeting a
Philadelphia. October II. 11s3. had bee
fnsulted and forced 10 adjourn to Prime.
ION The opposition to the plan Of sivin
congress exclusive jurisdiction over III
Seat of government seems to have bee
feeble No debate upon the clause :,
ported to have taken place in the cor
stitutioual convention Objection wa
made in the Virginia ratifyins CONVEX
ticu that the District might become :,
as, lum for political criminals or viola
orS ~ states rights. But the clause ":
adopted without much opposition. BN il
, the ,