Evening star., 1915-03-29
Our Great Local Legislature.

Applying the doctrine of an eXactinS
and far-reaching national responsibility
toward tie capital, what is the obliga-
ton resting upon Congress when 1t acts
as local Legislature?
Clearly il denies the justice when leg
islating for the District of disregardins
entirely local needs, conditions and
pre- ejudices and using the capital as a
national experiment station, where
dubious legislative projects may be
tested as an example or a warning 10
the nation, with no one injured but the
District Gas apothecary's caD, If the eH-
pertinent is unsuccessful.
1t forbids such legislation solely or
primarily from the point Of view OF the
legislators home constituency, with the
congressman posing as the srudsinS
dispenser of aims alleged to be contrib
ated by his district or state TO the
greedy nlendicants of the capital.
II makes of the congressman as local
legislator = representative under the
Constitution OF his capital constituents
as distinctly as il elected by them and
under the same obligations. as il thus
elected. to consider patiently and syn-
patheticaliy their point of view. to
crystalline into legislation as iar as
practicable and reasonable their opin-
ions and wishes and to protect Faith
fully their interests and welfare.
AS local legislator under the Consti-
the nation, not the state. not the con-
sressional district. but the District Of
! Columbia and It's 100000 Americans.
The extensive powers in respect to
the capital conferred upon Congress tn
vO1ye equally far-renchinE responsible
tiles and Obliga gatiOns; md sacrifices in
the nations interest nre required on
both sides Of the partnership. 4 great
power fs TO he greatly. nObly exercised.
controlled by no motive or impulse that
t.
The greatest Legislative body in the
world, representing the worlds fore
most nation. is to build up. typifyinS
that nation. the worlds grandest cap
ftal. The nations city which the fore
fathers nobl. planned Is by Ds to be
perfected on lines mo- less noble.
The capital which wisdom and patri-
otism ure to make truly great includes
NOT only the physical city. but the peo-
pie who live In II, the men who max {
the sncrihces In tho nation. interest
which call for sacrifices Of time and
Thought and patient confederation by
the nation through aonKres. IN return
The obligation IL to build not merely
q beautiful city. but q heaithful. whole
some, well governed, contented nnd
neif-respectiBE city.
What. then. will the nation do with
II, city to make II more attractive,
more h~aIthful, more crcd3tnblc in
4. every way ns the National Capital.
what viii IL do with the Americana
Z ~ m constitute
! promote their physical. political. intel
iectuaI and moral welfares
The greatest of our public men have
been the strongest champions OF tue
capital George Washington created II
and gave il his name. Thomas Jeffer-
son with and following Washington
wa q planuer. founder and upbutlder
OF the city Andrew Jackson threw
himself with enthusiasm into the WORK
OF adequately bridging the Potomac;
urged the allowance of q delegate IN
! Congress to the District and In his adj
ininistration with his cooperation and
/ sympathy the nation came 10 the nhan !
cial relief Of the community bankrupt
ed In performing the nations task.
Discrimination between the later Pres!
dents from Lincoln to Wilson. all Of
trict. would be invidious. Grant. the
man OF deeds. not words, had the op-
portunity which he effectively utilized
to lay broad and deep the foundations
/ Of Washington as truly the hation
! Great men from all sections. in Con
/ .ress as we'll as the White House. have
delighted to labor to make the capital
! is no nobier work for any statesman
J than to identify himself conspicuousiy
with the upbuildins Of the nations
! apital
/ In these days of easy divorce, trifiine
| cause of dispute often disrupt the
family partnership: but in the capital
making partnership between Congress
| representing the nation and the people
/ OF Washington divorce, though some
| times suggested. now on one side and
now on the other In a spasm Of dis
| content. Is neither feasible nor desira
Bile What the Constitution of the
United States has thus Joined togethe.
II seems impossible for any man OF
men by the divorce of radical consti-
tutional amendment to put asunder
Since. then. these partners are to live
and work together in capital building
let them by mutual consideration. for
bearance, sympathy and regard live
together happily and work harmo
niously and effectively to the end thai
| through their joint 1abors magn!h
cent capital may be developed. which
every Washingtonian may with pa
| triotic enthusiasm claim as his home
and Of which every American may be
proud.