Evening star., 1916-03-01
7. w. Noyes, at Senate Com
mittee Hearing, Advocates
Constitutional Amendment.
DENIES THAT DELEGATE
WOULD BE SATISFACTORY
Roy C. Clafin, William Nick. Clay
ton, Chaplin Brown and Donald
Mcpherson Also Heard.

A final plea for a favorable report or
the Chamberlain resolution for a con-
stitutional amendment extending ma
tional suffrage to the residents of the
District was made yesterday afternoon
to the subcommittee on judiciary OF
the Senate District committee by Theo-
merce committee, which urges the
adoption of the proposed amendment
Mr.. Noyes warned that the enactment
of the Poindexter District delegate bill
into law might have the effect of re-
tarding for many years the adoption
of the constitutional amendment.
I'VE do not look upon a territorial
delegate in the House, without vote, as
national representation at all" said
Mr.. Noyes. "A territorial delegate can
be regarded only as legislative agent,
with the privilege of the floor Of the
House, and not as a part of Congress
under the Constitution. Such a repre-
sentative Of the District in the House
would not be a real representative at
all. But many congressman may think
that the grant of a territorial dele
gate-almost impotent--is satisfac-
ton in full of their obligation to give
adequate representation to the capital
community, and that the constitutional
amendment giving real representation
IN the Senate and House should be
shelved. The delegate in the House
may become the substitute for the vot-
ing representatives in both houses to
which the people of the District are
entitled"
Mr. Noyes prefaced his plea to the
committee with the statement that he
did not appear either to oppose or to
favor the District delegate bill
For Constitutional Plan.
Il am here to urge quick and favor
able action upon the Chamberlain con-
stitutional amendment" he said. Mr..
Noyes said that 1t might be considered
unfortunate in some respects that the
constitutional amendment and the dele
gate bill had been coupled before the
committee, and fortunate in other
respects.
He said that it would be unfortunate
il the committee took the view that it
has two propositions, each granting
of the District. before it. one Of the
propositions being easy of attainment.
and the other difacult. perhaps taking
years to accomplish. Anything that
tends to prevent Congress from taking
up and pressing for action the con-
stitutionaI amendment which provides
the only adequate representation of the
people of the District in Congress, he
said. would be unfortunate.
Citizens United in Views.
Mr.. Noyes told the committee that tho
citisens supporting the amendment had
put aside their individual views as to
forms Of local government. about a
voteless territorial delegate in the
House and other kindred matters and
united In the view that the proposed
constitutional amendment was desir-
able. adequate and vital. The Chamber
of Commerce had followed its commit
tee in such action. he said.
He said that 1t was fortunate that the
two measures had been coupled before
the committee because every argument
that had been made by able advocates
resentation for the District were in the
last analysis arguments for the consti-
tutional amendment which alone could
give to the District real representation.
He said that the adoption of the con-
stituttonal amendment would not nee
essarily take so long time. as some
'ersons had been inclined to believe.
The argument which had been made
10 the effect that the enactment of a
district delegate law might aid in the
aaoption OF the constitutional amend.
lscit was not agreed to by all. he said,
ana then pointed out that persons who
re.4.einbered the days when the District
had a territorial delegate in the House
--lS11 to 1s74-feared that 1t might re-
tard action by Congress on the con-
Gtitutionai amendment.
Entitled to Representation.
Mr.. Noyes contended that the people
Of the capital are entitled to full
representation in the Congress. He
said that the people residing in
the capital who now 20 back to the