Evening star., 1914-04-30
OBLIGATION
FOLLOWS POWER
If Nation Repudiates Capital
Obligation 1t Must in Honor
Surrender Capital Control.
RETROCESSION
OR STATEHOOD
The Nation Controlled Capital,
Created by the Forefathers,
Must Not Be Destroyed.
BY THEODORE W. MOVES.

! The nation should not re-
pudiate its half obligation in re-
spect to capital maintenance; for
the logical sequence Of such action
is surrender OF all power and ex-
elusive jurisdiction in respect to
the District of Columbia, and the
destruction OF the nation-con-
trolled capital, conceived and Gre
ated by the forefathers. II. The
nation should not diminish its hall
contribution to capital-upbuild-
ing; for the logical sequence OF
such action is surrender by the ma
tlon of control OF the capital mu-
nicipalitv to the local majority
stockholders. Power and obliga-
ton are inseparably coupled: and
ii the latter is destroyed or di-
minished, the former is in equity
destroyed or diminished in pro-
portion. III. The Washingtonian
eager to exercise his American
right OF full representation in
Congress, should not need to de
stroy the falf-and-half law in or
der to get it. As taxpayer and
potential soldier OF the nation he
is entitled to. and should enjoy.
this representation. whether Con
gress for the nation retains or sur
renders control and exclusive
power OF legislation in respect to
the capital.
Ii the nation repudiates entirely
IFS national-capital obligation ex-
cept in direct relation to public
buildings and grounds it must in
honor surrender all exclusive
legislative power in respect to
the District OF Columbia. 1t must
set up here sovereign state OF
Columbia, by constitutional
amendment repeating the ten
miles square provision: or it must
retrocede to Maryland the portion
Of the District ceded by Mary
land over century, ago to form
the seat OF government
This action, dissolving the ma
tional capital partnership, di-
vorces absolutely capital and ma
ton, changes the seat OF govern
ment from the District to the area
occupied by public buildings or
used as public grounds, or neces-
sary for any national purpose. and
destroys Washington as the ma
tons city.
This step should not be taken:
(D Because. tending to bank
rupt and depopulate the city
which will take the place OF the
former capital. it will result in a
shabby and discreditable environ
ment OF the seat OF government
humiliating to national self-re-
spect.
~ 1t will be dishonorable. de-
stroying equities and vested rights
which spring from the century-old
pledge. based on a valuable con-
sideration. to preserve and de
velop Washington as the perma-
nent national capital. The ma
ton as half owner OF Washing
TONS original lots made this
pledge to each purchaser OF lot
from ii as distinctly as ii the
pledge had been written in the
deed.
Cd 1t will offend the fine
strong spirit OF American nation
alitv." The national capital is not
only the symbol OF union. but is in
itself patriotic. uniiying infu-
ence. The nation should not and
will not destroy this material EN-
bodiment OF the union OF the
states. this bond and token of the
spirit Of American nationality
The idea of Withdrawing from state
power and the control of its residents
| norton of territory to serve the seat o.
government under the exclusive iurisdic
/ tion of the people of the whole Union
as represented by congress. seems t
have obtained A strong hold upon tn,
minds of the founders of the republic
Many desired to strengthen the notiol
of a union by giving the general govern
ment an exclusive territory. center o
federal action controlled by il alone
: state iealousies had some influence IN tn
matter. The Jurisdiction of any one stat
over the seat of government would. /
. was thought. give that state. to some ex
tent control over the general govern
ment itself. Exclusive jurisdiction an.
the power to call out the militia woul,
also. II was considered. enable Congress
| IN protect itself in case of riot or othe
disturbance. The fact now worn thread
bare by constant allusion. was remem
bered. that Congress. while meeting a
| Philadelphia, October II. 17s3. had beel
insulted and forced to adjourn to Prince
ton The opposition to the plan of givin,
| Congress exclusive jurisdiction over tn
seat of government seems to have bee
|