The Washington herald., 1917-12-03

In1s Arucle II constructed for those
Thousands OF people In the District
who want the ballot. ana those mens
bsrs Of Congress before whom must
come for action the proposed consti-
tutionai amendment granting that
right 10 us. and the right Of congress
si6nal representation.
We have gathered together a num-
Der of objections to the franchise cam
paign, and have endeavored 20 aus~er
them straight from the shoulder.
So far there has not been a single
reason brought forth against these
grants which ~ either convincing or
conclusive. There may be other rea-
sons which appear alluring TO Con-
gress. but we have not heard them.
First-The contention 70 held out
that complete control Of local Affairs
cannot be given us. Objectors on this
ground say Congress must make our
charter, largely, anyway, even II Il
does give US the suffrage right. Es-
sential government interests are here.
and Congress must always be In a DO
sition to control the situation on that
account.
In reply "a, this, we want TO say that
Washington wants home rule only in
the matter Of home Affairs. National
governmental Affairs are not ours 70
control We do not want 20 control
them. But we do believe we should
control those affairs which are Of local
import solely and wholly. No conflict
Of interests can arise because Congress
must Of necessity delegate to us the
powers which we In all justice should
exercise. II our charter is Of Congress
sional origination. there can never be
difficulties between the national ana
local governments. In this respect
Washington would occupy the same
position precisely that many large
cities of America occupy in having
their charters shaped by State legisla-
tures.
Second-A large percentage Of the
people Of the District, for political
reasons. maintain their voting resi-
dences at their homes.
| True. But this percentage IL small
The number Of civil service employees
who, are completely disfranchised
after they come here, and who have
severed their home connections or
sets IL several times over-not to men,
ton the non-goyernmental residents
who actually live here. and who have
no right or opportunity to vote else.
where.
Third.-The majority Of the peopl,
Of the District do not want the bal.
lot
A very handy contention to make
In the absence Of a conclusive vote
on the question-but a reason which
Is quite out Of date. Give US the right
to vote and see how quickly il is TAX
en- advantage OF by eager, alert, loyal
American citizens living hereabouts.
Fourth-Home rule IN some Of the
strictly municipal matters is really
not effective. Let Congress go ahead
doing things just as st has done
A very puerile reason for opposine
the grants. Home rule Is not IDEAL
we admit. But ineffective, never. Be.
sides. h~that is q reason for denying
it, then all the cities Of the land
which now have II, should straight.
way be shorn Of It The very stronG
suspicion exists here that II could bt
more effective In strictly municipal
matters than is the rule we nov
have.
Fifth-The district never had th,
ballot. 1t never had representative
Why should It have them now?
This argument applied TO our natiol
from its incipiency would have pre-
vented US from recognizing the vaIu,
OF the steamboat, the printing press
electricity, and everything else tha
has put our nation at the head o.
progress in the world In fact. e
| denominate this a reason at all Is
| fnlfV Tf fa
more against II?
Sixth-There is no reason prevailing
at this time, why the District should
have the ballot and representation
which has not prevailed during all the
years.
Very. very true, perhaps But thers
has a very potent reason existed FOL
many years past why the Districi
| should vote. Because Congress has
not remedied the evil In the past Il
no reason II should not endeavor. n
all earnestDess, to do so sometime il
the early future.
Seventh-If the District Is given
Congressional representation the DIS,
trict members will be log rolling
much of their time IN endeavors to ge'
through big appropriations for thu
District and concessions which Con
gress might more carefully and inde'
pendently scrutiniEe were no Distric
representatives pulling wires snt
using their influence to get then
through. Much damage might result
to important legislation because o.
this.
The crux Of this argument Is thai
our District representatives NIGH
represent the District-that is the feal