Evening star., 1926-11-14

| that the business of the Federal Gov
| ernment will be transacted amid suit
able surroundings and without re-
strictions that might be imposed by
purely local municipal interests.
| I'VE do not suggest change In the
local government of the District OF
| Columbia. But inasmuch as the
Congress of the United States has
entire contrcl for every purpose of
government, national and local, we
desire to be represented in that body,
so that through our representatives
| in the House of Representative and
in the Senate we may be able to in
huence the thought and the action of
the representatives of all of the peo-
pie of the country and thereby give
expression to Our wishes in all mat
ters that concern us as citizens.
I'VE Washingtonians are imbued
| with an exalted sense of civic pride.
We are deeply interested in the city
itself and the thousands OF home own
erS among us, together with other
| citizens, are ever responsive to those
opportunities for service. which may
be calculated to assure the future OF
the National Capita. as pleasant
place of residence and a suitable seat
of the national Government"
Makes Direct Appeal.
Mr.. Deviny pointed out that when
the original 10 miles square was ceded
to the Federal Government for the
seat of Government few people resided
within its borders, and he voiced the
opinion that if the area had been pop
ulated then, as 1t is now, by approx
mately a half million persons they
would not have consented to the sur
render of their political rights, or to
political enforcement from citizens of
the States and from the nation
In conclusion, Mr.. Deviny declared:
| Therefore, we Washingtonians,
make this direct appeal. to you who
are enjoying the full rights and bene-
hts or citizenship recognized through
out the world as typically American
expressions of free people. We ask
that you assist us to obtain the right
to take our place with one hundred
and ten million other Americans in
voicing our needs, our ideals and as
pirations In the. great legislative bodies
of the national Congress. We urge
that you invite the attention of your
representatives in Congress and the
! Senators of your State to the un-
American plight of the citizens of
| Washington and request their serious
and favorable consideration Of our
prayer for relief"
DIR. Darr's Argument.
| Mr.. Darr told the gathering that
in appealing for representation the
people of the District are asking,
not for a favor, but for a privilege
exercised by all other Americans Like
the other speakers on the program,
Mr.. Darr emphasized that the Dis
trict. plea for a representation in
Congress and in the electoral college
could be granted without disturbing
the present form of local government
and without changing the exclusive
jurisdiction which Congress exercises
over the Capital City.
Do Not Ask Statehood.
1--WE do not ask to be made a State,
nor Go we ask to be allowed to exer-
else the privileges guaranteed to the
States by the Constitution, except in
so far as they relate to national rep
resentation," said Mr.. Darr. 1.-The
| District of Columbia today Is said to
have a population of more than 500,-
900. Assuming that three -fifths OF
this number are men and women OF
voting age, deduct from this 800 ,OOC
approximately 10000 Government en-
"loyes and residents engaged in pri
| vate business who are privileged to
return to the State from which they
came for the purpose of exercising
the privilege Of franchise and we
| have, therefore, in the District of. Co
lumbia 100000 men and women OF
voting age and are as American citi
.zenS taxpayers all, whether they are
property owners or not, contributing
TO every expense and every liability
of the Federal Government, lending
services to the country in time of wal
and many of them are today mourn
ing the loss of a son, or brother, or
husband who made the supreme sac
rifice in the interest of humanity at
their country's call. These are the
privileges, these are the rights. these
are the responsibilities we take as
citizens. These are the responsible
ties we meet without a murmur, with
out protest.
1t has been said that we are a
Territory and the citizens of Terri
tories are not permitted to vote for
| President and members of Congress
| but are permitted representation in
the lower House of Congress through
a delegate without a VOTE" Mr.. Darr
continued. 1--WE are not a Territory
We are simply and plainly the Dis
trict of Columbia, and in all legisla.
! tive actions where it is necessary to
refer to the States and Territories it
| has been held that to include the Dis
| trict of Columbia the act must say
the States, Territories and the Dis
trict of Columbia"
Wants WaslingtOnians Named.
outside of Washington he has never
met a man or woman who would
undertake to deny that the people OF
| the District should have representa-
ton.
II cannot be made to believe" he
went on, that the trainers Of the Con
stitution ever intended that the resi-
dents Of the District Of Columbia, the
seat Of the Federal Government
should be compelled or required t.
forego that great privilege that is dear
to the heart Of every true American
the privilege of casting his vote in a
national election
Mr.. Darr said the principal Offices
in the District Of Columbia are filed
by appointment by the President and
confirmed by the Senate, and in this
connection he made plea for the
selection of bona-fide Washingtonians
for these Offices.
The only class Of people in the
United States who should be dis
franchised, Mr.. Darr said, are men
who have been convicted of felony
and even such men should be restored
to citizenship "as soon as they show
sorrow and contrition for the crime
committed"
| In conclusion Mr.. Darr said the peo
ple of the District are especially en-
titled to .-ational representation for
the reason that we are locally gov
erned by tn. National Legislature. and
that by representation in the House
Senate and electoral college we will
have in a great measure indirect local