The Washington herald., 1921-06-18
The Vote Without the Franchise.

, IT'S said one can eat his cake and have it.
We believe Washington can We believe
Washington can have vote in its own affairs
witttr being granted the franchise There are be-
tween thiry-hve and forty citizens associations in
this Siy with a membership of nearly 10000 They
represent every section of the city. They include
the poor well the rich. They are thoroughly
representative of Washington. Those who do not
belong, do So if they wish
1t is certainly possible for these associations
by referendum vote to express their preference
for Commissioners and to make the preference the
recommendation to the President for appointment
TO such Office. No President would ignore a recon-
mendation presented with such an Endorsement
freely and sincerely expressed. Once it was recog-
nized at would become an established fact.
These associations could. name one or more
delegates to meet and select the names of cand-
dates, including two preferably three times as
many as there were places to fill. If there were
two vacancies, there would be four or six
candidates to be voted upon.
The voting machinery for a referendum on
these would be that of regular election,
using the regular meeting places of the associations
with ample time for casting the VOTE and volun-
teer clerks until arrangements could be made for
pay. The result of the vote, tabulated by associa-
tons could then be to the President officially
BY the federated Offices expressing the choice of
the-citizens of Washington
1t sounds simple and it is simple Every one
wanting vote, would join an association. The
President would be under any obligation to
name any OF the Candidates but he quite GER
tainly would not ignore the nomination nor name
those with fewest votes. Appointed by him in this
Tay they would realize that they owed their offices
TO the popular will and have great satisfaction in
this fact. They would feel the responsibility placed
upon them by the many. They would have also,
the supporting influence of the majority. They
would work comparatively with this majority and
with the federated associations exactly as officials
do with their parties.
On the other side it would bring to the citizens
OF Washington far greater measure of civic re-
sponsibilty. 1t would certainly give them the vote
without their having the franchise. They would
have the same privileges that those OF other cities
have, of choosing their public officials. Many
cities elect than their board OF commits
sioners and in many cases it would be a mighty
good thing if there a superior in authority to
chose two from preference of four.
- This system would bring new and better re-
fston OF cooperation and joint accountability be-
tween the Commissioners and the citizens There
would be of pride in Commissioners of
their own choice and desire to have their
administration There would be greater
freedom of REORGANIZATION, better team pIay
and less room for misunderstanding. Washington
wants the vote. This is the way to get it. Once
the city shows its capability in this local hend
shows voting interest continuing influence in
its affairs, it will be far easier to get the ma
tionsl franchise.