The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-04-26
Reconnaissance
IND. c. GOVERNMENT

The Petworth Citizens Association
held a special meeting last night to
adopt the resolutions recommended by
the committee on law and legislation
which calls for suffrage In the District
the establishing OF republican form Of
government In the District by substi-
tuting the Board Of Commissioners
with a governor and ten commissioners,
voters and Ave appointed by the Presi-
dent. Several amendments called forth
lengthy debate, notably the one to
Grant only male voters the right Of
The proposed plan for change in the
form OF government as adopted Is as
Resolved. That 1t is the sense Of the
enxrsss shoald 80 far 40 possbe una.
der the exclusive legislation clause Of
the Constitution, re-establish a republi-
can form OF government IL the District
q Columbia. and Respectfully s1 20 ',hs
needs OF the people OF the United States
and Of the people OF this District to-
Wit;
Recommend Governor.
1. There shall be governor, who shall
have been a resident Of the District OF
Columbia not less than three years
next preceding his election to such Of
flce by the qualified voters OF said Dis
trict.
q There shall be elected by the peo-
pie five commissioners. who shall have
resided In the District not less than
three years next preceding election to
such office, and the President of the
United states be authorized to appoint
five commissioners. other than those
elected ny the people, TO represent the
at 81 hA al M IN n
board OF commissioners.
g. The term Of office OF the governor
and commissioners shall be three years.
T. The governor shall exercise all the
executive power and authority now
vested by law in the three Commission
ers ard such other authority as Con-
gress may delegate to him. He shall
have n vote In case or a tie In the
Board OF Commissioners. The Board of
Commissioners shall have all the legis-
lative power ana authority now exer-
cisec by the present Board OF Commits
sioners and such other legislative au-
thoritv as Congress may delegate.
g. Inasmuch as tho District OF Column
bia contributes more. In taxes to the
number of states Of the Union. there
shall be q delegate In the House of
Representatives. who shall have been n
resident of the District not less than
three years next preceding his election
10 Nh<U OIIlCt.
All Adults To Vote.
g. All persons over twenty-one years
of age who shall have resided in the
District of Columbia not less than one
year and in the ward or election dis
tricf In which they claim the right to
the day Of election. and be able to read
the English language, and shall not
have voted or claimed q voting resi-
dence elsewhere within one year, shall
be a qualified voter In the said District.
voting at the last preceding election a
recall election shall be held ana a ma
3ority OF those voting may recall the
Cover nor. commissioners. and Delegate
them. and may submit proposed laws or
ordinances to the commissioners elected
by the people and those appointed by
y That all elections in the District
shall be held under the secret ballot
system and stringent registration and
election laws. with severe penalties for
fraudulent registration or voting.
D Tbc foregoing plan Is clearly within
the pr resent power of Congress, and can
be made Immediately available. Our
peopls would still. however. be deprived
OF participation In the Federal Govern
ment. save and through Its voteiess Dele
gate In the House OF Representatives
Therefore, We urge upon Congress. as
. matter Of common justice. that It sub
init ID the several States an amendment
TO the Constitution OF the United States
givinT the citizens OF the District OF
Columbia the same status as the citizens
Of tina States. as set forth in tAe Cham
beriain Joint resolution.
Most OF the speakers lauded the plan
for full suffrage for the District, espe-
cially as provided for in the Chamber
lain resolution. now in the Senate.