The Washington times., 1925-11-27
Popular Election of Board of
Education-=-Why Not the
District Commissioners Also?
By BILL PRICE

District Of Columbia.
The Citizens Advisory Council considering Gasque
for members the Board of Education
by citizens of Washington ndorses this bill in principle
reservng the right to pass upon details
When body close to the community this Advisory
Council breaks away hdebound scheme of national
suffrage NOTHING time for congratulations and for
newspaper feel that its persistent efforts bearing
desirable fruit
Certain influences lie have stood unyiedingy and
inceranty for plan of District suffrageo right
TO vote for President and
Congress This element has opposed
all thought of the people elecng their strictly local officials
like the Board of Education and the District Commissioners
The idea has been that self styled and self appointed leaders
political thought here would be able to elect
their choice for Senators and Representatives and that
these Representatives would control the appoint
District Commissioners and all the local patronage and
power in the District Building thus giving nice little ring
of alleged brains arstocacy that would tell just how
everything should be done.
Unless particular suffrage plans of this combination
could put through Congress would have nothing else
No liberty loving patriotic District would
object to the widest suffrage complete
participation in the affairs of nation We all want that
IF WE CAN GET 1T.
But right here where is beginning infuse
itself into popular get comprehensive
scheme suffrage Congress for years
Even Congress should approve it, many years would
be required in having the States raty Constitutional amend
ment authorizing Congress to give national suffrage
Why waltz Why not accept the evident willingness of Con-
eres to give us strictly local suffrage
nue fight ohe rights in national elections and
representation in Congress that other Americans have? Why
not the half of loaf if get the whole loaf right
now?
you situation in Congress you will understand
that the House apparently willing submit to the country
Constitutional amendment permitting for Pres
dent Vice President Senators and Representatives District
Congressman the big membership of the House would not be
important factor
One two Senator'S from the District would be
factor the comparatively small membership Of that body
justice entitled Senators than eight
small States which have fewer people than the Dstct
pay into the Federal Treasury It is
of ndputabe knowledge that the District more
nco other Federal toward the maintenance OF
Federal Government than least twelve States which have
twentyfcur United States Senators.
But here's the rub in the Senate The Senators from large
powerful States of the country perpeuay over
voting power Senators from the little States These lit
tie States neither large in population material financial
factor in supplying the taxes that the nation have
equal power in the Senate big Of the Union
Sometimes their power is decisive.
We will that feeling day the District
grows greatness and population The Senate will longer
look this city not entitled to representation IN that
august body Just now though the Senators from the
posed powerful States do not want offsettng OF
their votes
elecng local officials Senators who will
pose Constitutional amendment appear willing try suffrage
here other basis than that of national representation
If and House really willing to give the half
OF loaf of suffrage why not take and as we get
hungry for suffrage keep right fighting until we get
the whole loaf?
Having indOrsed the principle of the election
Board Education why step further and in
the principle Of ectng District Commissioners?
IF fit to elect body fit to elect another
Our standing Congress would be just strong with
elected Board of Commissioners with hand picked board
selected and Endorsed to the White House by few local
politicians.
While eectlng Commissioners and get this
right will unite for tive could elect five Commissioners
designate the receiving the largest popular vote
delegate in Congress entitled to floor and committee
privileges and the right speak in the House for what
We need of all representative in the House. able
will make friendships in that body and be able to
nix with Congressman in helpful to interests
Such would not be debarred from committee
meetings conferences the House would have conf
dence in his recommendations We have nobody We
who happen friendly to
these congressman have the affairs of their States
look after Their Congressional districts have the first
calm