Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-04

TIE JuulCldfy wednesday 10 postpone
until next session consideration of the
joint resolution proposing a constitu-
tional amendment enabling Congress
to grant national representation to the
District of Columbia was, it is stated,
actuated in large measure by the fear
of some members of that committee
that the grant to Washingtonians of
the right of voting representation in
Congress and the electoral college
would destroy or impair the constitu-
tional power of exclusive legislation
over the District. That question was
definitely answered in the course of
the favorable report made to the Sen
ate by the District committee of that
body in the second session of the Six
ty-seventh Congress. The following
extract from that report shows that
he proposed constitutional amendment
not only does not impair the exclusive
legislation power of Congress, but is
the only way in which the American
right of representation can be granted
without impairing that power:
Congress May Not Delegate Power.
1.-The constitutional provision giving
Congress the power of exclusive leg
islation in the seat of Government de-
prives Congress of the power TO
admit the seat of Government to
representation in Congress and the
electoral college through the state
hood gate, since full statehood for the
District would destroy the exclusive
power OF legislation in the District
bestowed upon Congress by the Con
stitution. The courts have held that
Congress may not even delegate this
constitutional power; much less can
Congress destroy it or surrender it
completely
"The problem is to find a way to
give the people of the District the
representation to which they are en-
titled as national Americans in Con-
gress and the electoral college, with
access to the Federal courts, without
depriving Congress of the exclusive
legislative control of the District,
which the Constitution imposes upon
1t. and which, the courts say, it may
not surrender without specific con
stitutional amendment.
Solving the Problem.
1.-THE pending resolution Is. J. Res
1887, solves this problem by en-
towering Congress not to admit the
District to statehood, which would
destroy its power of exclusive legisla-
ton, but to grant to District residents
representation like that of citizens of
State in Congress and the electoral
college with access to the Federal
courts) and no other powers and at
tributes of statehood than those
specifically enumerated. This solution
of the problem harmonizes two great
American principles: First, that in
our representative Republic, subject
TO limitations and conditions uni
forlnly applied, all national Americans
ought to have the opportunity to par
ticipate in their National Government,
and, second, the principle laid down
by the forefathers as a national neces-
sity that the Nation through Congress
should have exclusive control of the
Nations Capital.
No reason appears why Congress
should not approve the proposition to
grant itself this new, wholesome
power, logically and equitably round
ing out the existing corresponding
constitutional power which it now
possesses in respect to every foot of
territory belonging to the United
States except the district constitut-
ing the seat of Government of the
United States, the District of Co.
lumbia.
adoption of the constitutional
while it arms Congress
Will HSW pONSF uOeS HOT commit
Congress as to when it shall exercise
this power, and the amendment may
thus be favored both by those who
urge immediate exercise of the power
as soon as the constitutional amend
ment is ratified and also by those
who wish to relieve Congress from
the shame of this peculiar impotency
but desire to postpone exercise of the
power until the District is better
lifted, in their opinion, to enjoy ma
uonal representation.
Not Proposed by Organized ID. c.
Evidence that the proponents of
the constitutional amendment giving
Congress the power to enfranchise the
citizens of the District through ma
tional representation recognize the
paramount and inalienable right of
Congress to exclusive legislation over
the District is afforded by certain por-
tons of the Washingtonian Amer
icanization Catechism," in which, in
the form of question and answer the
scope, purpose and significance Of the
amendment are discussed. The follow
ing extracts are to the point of the
questions raised against the inn
mediate favorable consideration of the
joint resolution by the House COM
mittee:
I'D What do you seek?
National representation, i.e., voting
representation in the National Gov
eminent. The status of American
citizens and citizens of a State i'm
House, Senate, electoral college and
the courts of the United States.
"(2) How do you seek national repre-
sentati0n? By the pending constitu-