The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-06-24
d. G. Suffrage in the Democratic
National Convention
By BILL PRICE.

The regularly selected delegates the District to the
Democratic National Convention in New appear to be
earnestly and honestly striving get that convention adopt
in the national platform plank ndorsg the vital principle
Of participation by the people Of this District in the affairs
Of the District and National Governments.
After careful deberaon the delegation reached the concu
sion that it would not be prudent tempt the convention
into wrange any particular plan Of suffrage the
PRINCIPLE Of suffrage gethe Endorsement Of the Demo
Gratis Of the nation something real will have been accomplished
In pedgng Democrats in Senate and for whatever
plan has the best chance before Congress The local dele
cation is Of the same opinion.
District Democrats who viii not have floor and voting
privileges the convention understood to be in New York
Tor the purpose Of indirectly urging the resolutions committee
to frame plank favorng 1.-THE granting to the District Of
Columbia Of voting representation in Congress and the
toral college,"
Of course that would be recognition of the principle of
suffrage and its acceptance by the convention would be Of
great value to District people who fairly and squarely
trying to get American rights for the dsfranched folks
Of this town.
The effect Of this departure from the plans reached bv
the delegation viii draw attention to the fact the people
Of the District and Congress somewhat divided as to
what expedien existing conditions in Congress
is the old story Of District dissension which has been so
runious to this city in affairs in Congress- the resoIu
lions committee Of the Democratic National Convention or the
convention itself gets an idea that the District delegates
90 not represent public sentiment here then there will
failure to accomplish anything.
Suffrage for the District is in the hands Of Congress
Inere vast difference OF opinion there to what
TO be done So far District people themselves con-
Cerned they would be delighted the right to vote for
President and Vice President and voting representation
Senate and House. That be brought about how
ever without Congress submitting all the States of the
Union amendment to the Constitution empowering Con
gress to make provision for such rights.
Of the States of the country would have to
ray the amendment through their Legislatures even if we
get Congress to submit such amendment doesn
take any vision to that to bring this to reality will
require many many years. things look in Congress
All Of know the opposition in the Senate as well as in
the House, to giving the District such power Congress
The Senate combine is violently opposed Senators
from the District in that body might agree the election
OF So far however the Senate has opposed everything
tending to this end
There strong support in both Senate and House. how
ever for giving the people Of the District the right to elect
their municipal officers and delegate in Congress There
also support for the proposition give statehood which
would with it the privileges sought the propo
on to have the convention approve voting representation
In Congress and the electoral college
The local delegation thought it tacfu avoid possible
dissenson and strife pet plans by asking approval of
the principle Of suffrage ITSELF leaving in the hands of
District people the working out of the matter.
There many thousands Of District people who believe
that get Congress to give the right Of suffrage
that action by continued pressure for the full rights of
bread, they get now rather than wait for
possible full loaf many years from
The District delegation should stick to its original purpose