Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-03-29
THE PRESIDENTS
AND WASHINGTON

The first President to discuss formally
the political status of Washington was
Monroe, who. In his message of 1918. said:
The situation Of this District. 1t is
thought, requires the attention OF Con-
gress. BY the Constitution the power
Of legislation Is exclusively vested in
the Congress Of the United States. In
the exercise of this power in which the
people have no participation. Congress
legislates In all cases directly on the
local concerns Of the District. As this is
a departure for 4 special purpose from
it may merit consideration whether an ar
rangement better adapted to the prin-
cfpleS OF our government and to the par
ucular interests of the people may not
be devised which will neither infringe the
Constitution nor affect the object which
the provision in question was intended to
secure. The growing population. already
considerable. and the increase in busi-
ness Of the District. which, It Is believed,
already interferes with the deliberations
Of Congress on great national concerns.
furnish additional motives for recon-
mendins this subject to your considera-
uop.''
Andrew jackson was the first President
to urge specifically the election by the
District of territorial delegate in Con-
gress. He made this recommendation in
1880 and repeated and enlarged 1t in 1881
1880. ut is respectfully submitted
whether a provision authorizing the cleo
ton Of delegate to represent the wants
OF the citizens Of this District on the
floor OF Congress is not due to them and
to the character Of our government. No
portion OF our citizens should be without
a practical enjoyment Of the principles Of
freedom. and there Is none more I'm
portant than that which cultivates a
proper relation between the governors and
the governed. Imperfect as this must
Ia IN IN
would be greatly improved by represen-
tation in Congress with the same privi-
leges that are allowed to tho other ter
ritory OF the United States
your attention to the condition Of the Dis
trict of Columbia. 1t was doubtless wise
In the trainers Of our Constitution to
place tho people Of this District under
the Jurisdiction Of the general govern
had In view It IL not necessary that this
people should be deprived Of All the priv1-
leges Of self government. Independently
Of the difficulty OF inducing the repre-
sentatives Of distant states to turn their
attention to projects Of laws which are
not OF the highest interest to their con-
stituents, they are not individually nor
In Congress collectively well qualined to
lesislate over the local CO.. concerns ;s OF TINS ms
much neglected and the people are al
most afraid TO present their grievances
lest a body IN which they are not repre-
scented. and which feels little sympathy in
tempt to make laws for them DO moro
harm than good. = Is II not just
to allow them at least delegate to
Congress II not local legislature to
make laws for the District subject to
the approval or rejection Of Congress-?
earnestly recommend tho extension to
them of every political right which their
interests require and which may be COM
pattble with the Constitution"
lar attention Of Congress to the present
condition Of the District Of Columbia.
I earnestly recommend the ex-
tension of every political right to the
citizens Of this District, which their true
fict with the provisions OF the Conseitu-
ton
President Van Buren,, in his message
your attention has heretofore been
frequently called to the affairs Of the
District Of Columbia and should not
again ask 1t did not their entire de-
pendence on Congress give them con-
slant claim upon it's notice. Separated
by the Constitution from the rest Of
the Union. limited In extent and aided
by no legislature of its own. It would
uniform system Of local government
might have been easily adopted. This
District has. however. unfortunately
been left to linger behind the rest of
selected as the seat Of the general gov
ernment, the site of its public edifices.
the depository Of its archives and the
residence Of officers intrusted with the
large amounts Of public property and
the management of public business, yet
it has never been subjected to or re-
ceived that special and complimentary
legislation which these circumstances
peculiarly demand. 1 am we'll aware
of the various subjects of greater mag
nitude and Immediate interest that
press themselves on the consideration
OF Congress. but believe that there is
not one that appeals more directly to
its justice than a liberal and even
generous attention to the interests OF
the District OF Columbia and a thor
ough and careful revision Of Its local gov
eminent"
Harrison's Famous Comment.
President William Henry Harrison
took up the question of the political
status of the Washingtonian referred
to by Monroe and Van Buren,, and spe
officially treated by Jackson. and dis
cuSsed 1t sympathettcally and earnestly.
1S41-"Amongst the other duties of a
delicate character which the President
vision OF the government Of the terri
tories Of the United States. Those OF
them which are destined to become
members of our great political family
are compensated by their rapid prog
rcss from infancy to manhood for the
partial and temporary deprivation of
their political rights. 1t is In this Dis
trict only where American citizens are
to be found who, under a settled policy.
are deprived of many important politi-
cal privileges without any inspiring
hone as to the future. Their only con-
ISOLATION under circumstances of such
is that of the devoted ex-
terror guards of a camp-that their suf-
ferine secure tranquility and safety
within. Arc there amy of their cOun-
trymen who would subject them t.
xrenter sacrifices, to amy other humfli-
alton than those essentialIy necessary
A., oh &r,e feh