Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-25
Americanize the Washingtonian

Representative Westinghouse of the
Board of Trade crowded the assembly
hall Of the Willard Hotel last night and
rose in mass in hearty and unani-
nous demand for the political status of
citizens of state for the purpose only
of representation in Congress and the
electoral college.
! The vote on this question gave inspir-
ing proof that Washingtonians, repre-
senting every influential factor of the
capitals diversified population, can get
together enthusiastically, even at some
sacrifice of personal prejudices, in an
irresistible appeal for justice to the
$50, 900 Americans of the District of
Columbia.
The report of the committee on the
political status of residents of the Dis
trict, thus unanimously Endorsed at one
of the best attended meetings of our
great local organization, is printed in
full elsewhere in The Star, and is COM
mended to the thoughtful consideration
of every Washingtonian and every men,
der of the Districts only and exclusive
Legislature on Capitol Hill.
~ May this harmonious cooperation
among Washingtonians be the forerun-
ner of similar cooperation in Congress
The proposed constitutional amend
ment adding to section 3, Article ",
words which merely give the power to
Congress to grant national representa-
ton to District residents when in its
Judgment the conditions emitting the
District to this representation have been
met marks the minimum equitable de-
mand Of the de-Americanized Ameri-
cans of the District for immediate leg
islative consideration.
= Will not Congress give to this propo-
sition prompt and sympathetic atten-
toni
In the words of the Board of Trade:
I'VE think this is the psychological
moment, when the relations of capital
land nation. both financial and political,
naTe under earnest, thoughtful, intelli-
gent and sympathetic consideration, to
provide for Americanizing the Ameri-
ans living at the American seat of gov
,sernment.
Our alternative amendment does not
directly and Immediately give to Wash
'ingtonians national representation, but
it takes that vital privilege from mac
feasibility and places it within reach
After its adoption only majority vote
of Congress will be required to do equity
in this matter, whereas now two-thirds
vote of Congress and three-fourths
vote of the state legislatures are neces-
ssry.
1--WE emphasize the fact that the sole
effect of both proposed constitutional
amendments is to remedy an aeknowl-
edged evil and to do equity by deelar-
ing, or empowering Congress to declare,
the political and judicial status of the
residents of the seat of government.
IAN of the controverted issues con-
eerning the makeup of the local electo-
rate, the qualifications of voters and
che form Of local government upon
which Washingtonians radically differ
are postponed to be decided by the ma
jority vote of Congress after the great
and vital question of the constitutional
status of the Washingtonian has been
answered.
Our proposition is so stripped of
Every strife breeding feature and so cen
-fered upon single principle of unde-
niable equity that all of Washington
IAN and shouid enthusiastically get be-
bind II and push it to success. 1t is 50
-wordcd as 70 reduce 10 a minimum op-
position TO its immediate passage in
Congress. Our legislators may reason
ably be expected 10 favor this just en-
aetment"