Evening star., 1922-02-21

States except the District. constitut-
ing the seat of government OF inc
United States.
THE constitutional provision CIV
ing Congress the power OF exclusive
legislation in the seat of government
deprives Congress of the power to
admit the seat government to repre-
sentation in Congress and the etec-
toral college through the sfatehooo
gate. since full statehood Ior tns
District would destroy the exclusive
power Of legislation in the District
bestowed upon Congress by the Con-
stitution. The courts have held that
Congress may not even delegate itS
constitutional powers, much less can
Congress destroy 1t or surrender II
completely.
Problem ut Issue.
THE problem is to find Il way to
give the people of the District the
representation to which they are en-
titled as national Americans in Con-
gress and the electoral college, with
access to the federal courts, without
depriving Congress OF the exclusive
legislative control of the District
which the Constitution imposes upon
it and which, the courts say. 1t may
not surrender without Specluc coHSti-
tutional amendment.
."rhe pending resolution solves this
problem by empowering Congress
not to accept the District as state
hood which would destroy its power
of exclusive legislation-but to grant
to the District residents representa-
ton like that of citizens of a state in
Congress and the electoral college
with access to the federal courtsl
and no other powers and attributes OF
statehood than those specifically emil
merated. This solution of the prob
lem harmoniZeS two great American
principles. First, that in our repre-
sentative republic. subject to limita-
tions and conditions uniformly ap-
piled. all national Americans ought TO
have the opportunity to participate IN
their national government. and, sec
ond, the principle laid down by the
forefathers as a national necessity
that the nation through Congress
should have exclusive control OF the
nations capital.
No Reason for DisapprOvnl.
NO reason appears why Congress
should not approve the proposition to
grant itself this new. wholesome
power. logically and equitably round
ing out the existing corresponding
constitutional powers. which 1t now
territory belonging to the United
States. except the district constitut-
ing the seat of government of the
United States-the District of Co
lumhia.
amendment, while it arms Congress
with new power. does not COM
nit Congress as to when it shall ex-
ercise this power, and the amendment
may thus be favored both by those
who urge immediate exercise of the
power as soon as the constitutional
amendment is ratified and also by
those who wish to relieve Congress
from the shame Of this peculiar i'm
potency, but desire to postpone exer-
else of the power until the District
is better fitted. in their opinion. to
enjoy national representation.
Adoption of the amendment is thus
urged % from the viewpoint of JUS
tice to the people of the district, on
the ground that they are now htted
to enjoy and meet the responsibili-
ties of this right and power. and (2)
solely from the national viewpoint as
cure of national impotency, ire
Spective of the time when for the dis
trict's benefit, the new constitutional
power shall be exercised.
Surely Entitled To Vote.
THE advocates of the joint resolution
vigorously contend that the residents
population. in resources, in hteracy. in
public spirit and in loyal Americanism
to receive this right and power, and since
they cannot enjoy 1t, except as re-
suit OF constitutional amendment max
ing the exclusive legislation clause OF
the Constitution consistent with the en-
joyment of this right and power. the
Constitution should be at once amended
as proposed in the joint resolution. in
order that prompt justice may be done
~; TtN.N
constitution should be quickly amended
as proposed, and the power granted to
Congress should. they urge. be exer-
ciSed at once.
Your committee are convinced that,
irrespective of present fitness or un-
the American rights to be granted by
Congress, when it exercises its new
constitutional power, this joint reSo-
luton should be promptly passed by
two-thirds Of Congress and the pro-
posed constitutional amendment rati-
fed by three-fourths of the states, in
order to relieve the nation of the
shame Of impotency to cure, when 1t
pleases, the evil of un-American to-
tally non-representative government,
at the very heart of the nation, the
seat of the national government.
Conviction of present lack of fitness
of District residents for national repre-
sentation, or despair of such fitness in
the near future. los lcdiiS dhects OHAS
the future date to be fixed when Con-
gress shall wisely and justly exercise
this power. 1t has no logical tendency
to delay the ratification of the amend
mentitself. Congress should not lack the
power to AmercaniZe the District. no
matter how long its judgment may i'm
pei it to delay the actual exercise of
the power when secured.
National Honor Touched.
potency of the national government
to grant national representation to
any we'll populated. intelligent, re-
sourceful American community. Con-
gress should, by constitutional amend
ment. have this power. for reasons
affecting solely the national prestige
and irrespective of any immediate OBJ
legation to the people Of the District.
while proof of present fitness of the
District in population and resources
for national representation is, it thus
appears, not an indispensable pre-
requisite of adoption and ratification
of the proposed amendment. the dem
onstration of that fitness naturally
invigorates and strengthens amend
ment advocacy"
The report is in considerable detail.
the facts and figures presented by
residents of the District showing the
fitness of the District for national
representation.
The POindexter Bill.
The report on the PoindeXter bill
for District delegate in the House
said:
''The committee is of the opinion
that the defranchised people Of the
District are entitled to a larger meas
ure of self-government than provided
in this bill for the election of a dele
gate in Congress.
"Because Of the uncertainty of en-