Evening star., 1924-01-22
Americanize the Washingtonian.

Americanize the Washingtonian.
The Federation OF Citizens Asso-
Citations, at its Saturday night meet
ing, at first coupled in approval Dis
trtct national representation and local
seIf-government, and later separated
them and voted overwhelming ap-
proval of national representation
alone.
This incident is typical OF the shap-
ing OF thought and decision which
has been manifest since 1916 in our
citizens organizations in dealing with
this subject.
National representation and local
eli.governnent are neither hostile
nor inseparably bound together. Advo-
cacy OF national representation does
not mean disapprovaI OF local self
government; nor does it mean ap-
proval. Both those who favor and
those who oppose local self-gorern-
ment unite to fight for national repre-
sentation.
Washington is thoroughly organized
to campaign for voting representation
in the National Government, for the
status of American citizens and citi-
Zens Of a state in House, Senate, cleo
toral college and the courts OF the
United States.
BY our pending constitutional
amendment, Of which the Federation
OF Citizens Associations has now re-
affirmed its hearty Endorsement, we
ask the people Of tho United States to
empower Congress In it's discretion to
grant US this representation. When
this power Is given to Congress by q
two-thtrds vote Of Congress and a
three.fourtis vote OF the state legisla-
lures we shall seek to persuade a ma
1ority Of Congress OF the justice and
wisdom Of the speedy exercise Of this
power. By the constitutional amend
rnent national representation is taken
from inaccessibility and made pos
aible. BY the subsequent action Of
Congress District representation will
be made q reality.
We do not seek 20 disturb in any
way national control Of the Capital
through Congress. We seek merely
TO participate like Americans of the
states in the Congress which exercises
this control, and in the National Gov
ernment which makes and executes
laws for the whole United States, the
District OF Columbia included.
We do not seek in this movement
for national representation either to
break down or to protect the form Of
municipal government which Congress
representing the nation has given us.
Congress has now the power by q ma
iority vote to set up here any munich
pal government It pleases. with any
degree Of self government which does
not involve a delegation by Congress
Of its power Of general legislation. It
will have precisely the same power,
no more and no less, when the consti-
cutiolal amendment empowering Con.
Tess to grant District national repre-
sentatton has been adopted.
Some Of US favor the retention Of
the present form OF municipal govern.
Congress In the direction Of larger
measure Of local self government. We
all come together and cooperate
heartily in seeking representation in
the National Government and the
honor, the privilege and the power Of
national representative citizenship.
We are not SO foolish as to drop out
Of a campaign for something that we
all earnestly want and absolutely need
In order to quarrel without result over
the entirely distinct question Of local
self-government.
We seek national representation as
a distinctive, basic right Of the Arneri-
can citizen-in a government Of the
people, by the people, for the people
In government which roots it's JUS
tice in consent Of the governed-in a
representative government which in.
separately couples taxation and arms
bearing as a soldier with representa-.
ton.
So far as we $4,000 residents Of the
District are concerned, the American
government is not a government Of all
the people by all the people for all
the people. It Is q. government Of all
the people by q part Of the people.
The $4,000 District residents are
among the people who are governed,
but not among the people who govern.
The 437, 200 Americans Of the Dis.
trict do not give their consent to their
National Government through elected
representatives in accordance with the
American principles like all other.
Americans Of the continental and con.
tisuous United States.
In. respect to the 900 Americans
Of the District representation. Is
divorced from taxation and soldier
service. We bear all the national bur.
S5ens Of citizens Of q state In national
taxes, In subjection to national laws
and as national soldiers sent to war.
IN genuine representative government
rights and obligations are inseparably
welded. We meet fully the national
obligation. We bear cheerfully our
share Of the national burden. We are
sntitlsd to all vital national rights ana
peivHeges.- =,
nsnee 3Stss pessihls to Rsaut 10 thia