The Washington times., 1917-08-21
Not Against Prince, But
The Principle of Tt
By DAVID LAWRENCE.
People Of the District Of Columbia Should Protest En-
Against the Selection Of Commissioner Under Present

President Wilson is soon to nominate Commissioner
for the District Of Columbia The people of Washington win
have about much to do with that choice the people Of
San Francisco, three thousand miles away-nothng C
zens associations representative bodies presenting the
made up his mind Ben NJ Prince city collector is to be
nominated
Mr. Prince an able man But snot against him that
objection should be lodged 1t is against the system that
imposes anyone upon people without consulting them It
would be Objectionable system the President chose the
most expert men in the country to govern Washington
Would New York city to have the President any
other outside person say to it. You must take William
Howard Taft for mayor this year The people would say
we choose our own mayors in New York CITY Sometimes
don't choose good Ones but have the satisfaction of
knowing that the responsibility entirely and
correct our errors when we see them
Does Washington enjoy any such freedomi For freedom
ispan, simple American freedom the foundation stone
of democracy No. the people of this city year after year
have seen outside nfuencesor the President is as rule
governing them Sometimes Presidential
econs commendable But sometimes they not And
the fact that Mr. Wilson has picked good ad
illustrators is why the people should sit by and
permit the system to be continued without protest their
part Another President may not be careful
The protest should not be against Mr. Prince or any
other individual This is not matter of personality, but
matter Of principle Shall $4,000 American citizens be
continuously denied the right to VOTE and be ignored
re by the President when he has appointment to make
that is of vital interest to those tzens How long the
men and who make Washington their home to sub
NIT to such intolerable stuationf
The people of Washington suggested preference prm-
something that would enable the residents of the city
President might select It be in the nature of
advisory primary But Mr. Wilson let it be known that he
did not favor it. Whyf There only Inference He had
already picked man. and did not want to be further both
cred with it. But is this right Certainly the President
busy And Mr. Wilson is extraordinarily busy but why
should the Chief Executive of the United States who is
always pretty heavily burdened be compelled to be both
ered at all to direct the municipal affairs of the National
Capital tool Plainly the system is un-American in
cepon and affords too easy opportunity for injustice
Mr. Wilson can't possibly mingle with the people Nor
any other President He must rely the advice of friends
To
shall the District of Columbia The President doesn't
select the Commissioners Somebody else does And what
right has this group to do any than the great body
of citizens in the community.
Many city has revolted against bosssm and rings"
Washington ought to register solemn protest against
guardianship of any kind whether it benevolent
peten To approve the choice of Commissioner under the
present system is confession of mpotency The people
at least have the right of petition And they should make
of it. if only to let this President and embryo Presidents
know, this Congress and the American people from whom
other Congresses to be chosen that than quarter
of million of voteles people will be supne longer but will
continue at every opportunity and every occasion to
demand their right of enfranchisement.