The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-02-25
A Connecticut Vielu of
VOteLess WashinqtOn
BY BILL PRICE.

The people in the States are beginning to wonder
why American citizens in the Capital of the Nation
are denied by Congress the suffrage privileges
Joyed by all other Americans, not being allowed
the rights granted to Filipinos, Porto Ricans, and
Hawaiians. And when the nations voters clearly
understand this shameful treatment of District people
there will be response in Congress to the steady
appeals for justice to Americans who are still un-
AmericanZed.
Newspapers in the States have recently been ex-
pressing editorial surprise that Congress does not
remedy situation VIGOROUSLY undemocratc and
unfair Here is editorial from the Middletown
Conn., Press that is fair sample of the view being
taken by editors whose readers will do some thinking
on the subject:
no at
lowed to vote in any 1t always of the curl
w5o
5 s s s1t ssn s essvs @ r. 1
apart Wsv as o se Of s should nr what
Ras 5s which
have that those who made our law were not ready
then far they PTossssd in
what municipalities wGsd um stnd ond ..
have retained the same veto power over Government
umDa Of hss Long been admitted Two
sti:utionsl change the statutory effect
thing of change this strange contradiction in
ernmenta conduct.
Favorable reports have been made to the Senate
on the JONES and POINDEXTER bills for suffrage.
The former would submit a Constitutional amend
ment to the nation giving District people the right
to vote for President and Vice President, Senators
and Congressman. The Poindexter bill provides a
delegate in Congress. They not incompatible.
Ratification of Constitutional amendment would
require some years, and in the meantime delegate
in Congress would be slight recognition Of public
demand
g ~ +l lie ho
ed with keen interest by Washington people. There
will be rejoicing if both bills become law. Then the
District could begin the long fight for the broad
suffrage Congress would be authorized to grant in
amendment, to the Constitution.
1t remains to be seen whether the Senate will
favor the addition of two Senators to that body.
Senator CAPPER, who introduced bill favoring
the election of District Commissioners, Public
Utilities Commissioners and members of the Board OF
Education by citizens of the District has pointed out
to the Senate that the population of the District Is
larger than that of States which now have two
Senators each in the upper house. If 1t was fair that
these States should be admitted to Statehood it is
fair that nearly half million District people should
feel that they, too, are living under republican
form of government
For taxation to support the Federal Government
in 1890. the dsfranchised District half million
paid more than any of fifteen States. Income
taxes paid in 1918 exceeded the totals collected in
twenty eight States.
If Senate and House will do the right thing it
will be glorious outcome. If the Senate is going
to refuse to add two Senators to its roster then
we want to know it soon possible, that we may
turn our attention to bill like that Of Senator
CAPPER, which gives local self-government,
pending the ultimate we hope to achieve OF
constitutional suffrage. Any argument or intimation
that District citizens not fit to govern themselves
and their local affairs is too weak to deserve atten-
ton and is sur of the meanest sort
We want to the Jones bill brought to vote
in the Senate The House might pass it. If the
Senate vote should reveal that that body is strongly
opposed to the Jones BILL has been predicted, we
then want to what steps will be taken by those
who continue to press for this solution when they
know the difficulties. If the influences would
Join in the strong demand for local sefgovernment
as a start there is little doubt that would get
somewhere in a short time.