The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-06-30
Why District Suffrage Gets a
Black Eye
BY BILL PRICE.

by BILL FHlCE.
Suffrage for the District Of Columbia wal ignored II the
Democratic National Convention because there was lack Of
namy for among those supposed BY the convention to
Be representative 81 public sentiment here
Three forms Of endorsement submitted TO the resou
HONS committee Of the convention:
Recognizing the principle Of participation BY the people
Of the District IN both national and local affairs
g Giving people here the right to vote for President
and Vice President and to elect Senators
Ii Congress.
SSubmtng to the people here pebiscite as to what
form Of suffrage they desire virtual admission that
there is lack Of manimity.
have any right here to claim American citizenship
shen ought have every suffrage privilege accorded c
gens Of every other part Of the United Sates-te right TO-
actively PARTICIPANTS II both national and local affairs
There Why not fitted for fun suffrage
we should be allowed to vote for President Vice President
Senators and Representatives District Commissioners and
members Of the Board Of Educacn would be getting lust
what We are entitled TO- no more no less.
given these rights the power Of the Federal Gov
nment control this Federal territory would NOT be
gessened in the least We would simply have what every
patriotic American has and would part with for his Ne
Therefore the delegates from the District the convention
knew sentiment here when they asked endorsement by the
convention Of thu principle Of participation in both national
and local governments and It Is most unfortunate that any
lack Of unity should have been shown.
Colonel ROBERT n. HARPER il a-spendd citizen Of this
% He IS leader in thought and action and has done won
derfu things for Washington. he viii to realize after
CuuVeuC0uS De10fe
Ind ask only the right participate in national affairs there
s admission that not competent to manage our
local affairs; that there weak spot somewhere IN our
abilities to handle local problems except as they
would be handled In Congress Senators and Representa-
lives, il we ever get these
That proposition carries with It the idea that the Com
ssione with Senators and Representatives in Congress
from the District would continue be hanpiced officials
rs they does that competent to vote
Tor and elect the highest honors in the nation we are
kqualH competent to elect suitable to administer our
local affairs
The ugaboo to the negro holding the balance Of
power has been exhibited hundreds Of occasions for years
when the suffrage issue presented Only % per cent Of
The population Of Washington Is colored and included in that
70 cent Is the most intelligent and women Of their race
n the United States Of homes and Of Aer
can ideals and thoughts
cf strictly local officials would be equally powerful in the
eection Of Senator's and Representatives.
III truth that there strong opposition in the Senate
30 giving representation in Congress There is much
stronger sentiment there for giving the right to choose our
local officials Virtually all opposition disappear under
the pressure win persist in bringing to have justice done
30 the people Of this District
We have the curious spectacle Of Senator REED SMOoT
highly influential in the councils Of the Republican party pre
venting the Republican national convention from adopting
plank in its platform ndorsng District suffrage In the
Democratic convention find Senators KING Of Utah and
JONES Of New Mexico standing against suffrage indorse
ment by the resolutions committee.
Here are Utah and New Mexico States where Aercanis
supposed to be at its highest standing for unAmerican
ideas for this city.
One objection in the Senate now to District sffraoe
the addition Of Senators to the large cotere Of
from little States which just influential in the Senate
Nania Ohio Illinois and Others Yet the little States com
bne against the District Below some figures a. TO The
lcal delegates have blocked suffrage in two conventions