The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-10-26
The Bona Eide Residence Law
For D. c. Commissioners

In casting suitable candidates for appointment as
District Commissioner President Coolidge finds himself naho
capped by law requiring that shall be neo
not bora de resident OF the District Tor three
years
The Presidents spokesman admits that the President be
eves that actual residence Washington for at least fnree
years necessary specified by the law but does no.
retention of legal residence elsewhere merely
FOR voting purposes should be bar The President feels mat
fany of those maintaining voting residence elsewhere al
thcrh living here and having most of their business or
propry interests here are virtually citizens OF Washington
aRd have the interests of this city at heart
dilemma appreciated but the people Of
Washington are virtually for the three legal
regerce clause buwark Of home rule that pro-
preside over them To remove ation would leave the
bars down politicians their favor1tes and pay OIL
political debts That situation would be intolerable
If new law could framed that would be spectre enough
in permit the appointment OF men or women as
misssioner about whose affiliations with Inc Dsct ner
could be no doubt there might just objection There
are undeniably many able living in Washington main
tanning voting so VI t arg have arse in
feres and love Washington patriotic Americans
had suffrage should they would become legal resi-
John Hays Hammond is an example. He is a national
figure big he would make an ideal Commissioner
he would accept the position he thoroughly idensnled
with the District leave doubt as to his fitness
Yet how would law worded that would definitely con-
b typeS Every law interpreted in various ways
courts are full calling for fresh interpretations Of
various phases Of passed years and previously
The limitation in the present law clear enough
avoid legal conflict Any change in the law would almost
surely bring friction and disappointment.
The desirable law would be that which permits Wash
ingtonans their Commissioners at the ballot box
Then would up them decide between cand iates
They would hardly vote for candidates who voting
residences elsewhere There would be little incentive Tor
washington citizens to want to vote elsewhere.
An example Of what happens when there no law recOg
nng home rule may be found in the positions
of Recorder Deeds and REGISTER of Wills Of the District
The Recorder of Deeds wholly local position The office
deals with strictly District matters It is IN no manner
Federal job District has been appointed to this
position many years The appointments have been in
ent Of political services elsewhere The appOntees have
been efficient is true but they have been outsiders
Even the matter Of higher courts denied the
Justice of home lawyers able and emntnty
fitted the honors that should be theirs when there are
vacancies They the District code thoroughly am
qualified go upon the bench and ntegenty handle cases
oceted there These honors too often bestowed IN
recognition of political a and efforts That high
minded honorable may have been nominated to these
positions does not change that these places should go
lawyers They fairly and squarey belong to Wash
inrtnn and Washington only. 49,. g.
With these object lessons before them the people of Wash
ngon are likely acqesce in any effort to change the
residence for Commissioners That law is about
the only vestige of home rule there for the District