Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-24
CITIZENS FRANCHISE DEMAND
LAID BEFORE HOUSE GROUP

The payment of $27.0O0,0O0, he said
exceeds the combined payments for
similar taxes by IL of these States.
whose contributions totaled $26.9l7.-
92l. II the Districts total contribu-
ton be reduced to $l8.000,000. 1t eX-
ceeds the combined contribution OF 3
of these States aggregating $l7.88l. 499
The citizens of the District OF CO.
lumbia," he said. paid into the Fed
eral treasury during 1927 through in
come taxes $l8.227.332. or more than
twice as much rs the 100000 paid
by the Federal Government toward the
upkeep of Washington"
Regardless of their position. which is
hardly conducive to patriotism. Mr..
Brandenburg said. the citizens of the
District have more than carried their
share In the wars In which the Nation
has engaged. In the Civil War 1t had
1854 men In the Army and Navy.
number about four-fifth greater than
its share. 1t contributed one-fourth
more men than its share to the Span
lsh- American War. The l7945 Dis
trict men III the World War represent
ed proportion more than one-third
greater than from The country a. a
whole. This. he pointed out. was in
the face of the fact that the citizens
of the District had no voice In the
declaration of these wars.
Oversubscribed War Loans.
The per capita subscription of the
District for the first Liberty loan. he said,
was $3.50, which was nearly four
| fifthS greater than for the country as
a whole. which was only $500" The
quota was $l0,000.000. whereas the peo-
pie actually subscribed $l9.26l 400. On
/ ho Y lrnx hn ~
District made a per capita subscription
of S64.98 against $40.l3 for the United
States at large, On the fourth Liberty
loan the per capita subscription was
$l27.6l. against S65.94 for the country
at large.
| Disregarding the enormous amount
, Of franked matter which passes through
the local post Office. Mr. Brandenburg
pointed out that the receipts for 1925
were 4.770.508.84. which was greater
| than the aggregate receipts from any of
| the following States: Alabama. Arizona,
Arkansas. Delaware. Idaho. Maine. Mis-
sissippi. Montana. Nevada. New Hamp-
shire. New Mexico, North Dakota Rhode
Islam. South Carolina. South Dakota.
Utah. Vermont West Virginia, Wyoming
and Alaska.
He pointed out the law has been in
terpreted to mean that a citizen OF the
District cannot sue in the Federal
| courts on the ground of diversity of
| citizenship. which is most valuable
legal right recognized throughout the
country. Under the Constitution. he
said. an alien may sue in the Federal
courts. while resident Of Washington
has not this right.
I'm all justice and fairness" Mr..
Brandenburg concluded. there should
be no place in the United States, of all
nations. where it can be said that any
of its people are subject to taxation
without representation. In the language
Of the resolution of the citizens of AL
exandria. proclaimed at the time of the
retrocession 10 Virginia We cherish
the highest hopes and have the utmost
confidence that the Congress OF the
United States will break the political
shackles which have so long bound us
and again elevate us to the rights and
privileges OF free men. by granting not
retrocession with relief as requested by
them in that resolution. but the full
rights guaranteed TO every American
citizen"
Mr. Brandenburg's address follows in
part:
AS citizens of the District of Colum.
bia, We appear before your committee
earnestly requesting favorable consider
alton and action upon the joint resolu-
ton proposing an amendment TO the
Constitution of the United States pro-
viding for national representation to
the people of the District OF Columbia
We also appear as the representatives
OF the joint citizens committee. of
which Mr.. Theodore W. Noyes is chair
man This Is voluntary organization
composed Of representatives OF the
washington Board Of Trade, Chamber
OF Commerce. Merchants and Manufac-
turers' Association. citizens associa-
tons. labor unions and other repre-
sentative groups OF our citizens. which
was created for the purpose OF urging
upon Congress TO submit TO the States
the proposed amendment which would
grant full franchise TO the citizens of
the District OF Columbia. We want II
distinctly understood that we stand here
unitediy tndorsing this resolution.
Not a New State.
While there may be differences OF
opinion among our people as TO whether
there should be change In the form of
the local government. that Is In no wise
involved In the present resolution. The
adoption by Congress OF this resolution
and It's ratification by the States does
not create q new State but simply
places the District In a position anaIa-
eous To that OF the Territories, TO the
extent that when Congress sees 1T. IL
snai nave the power 10 admit To the
STATUS OF citizens OF State the resi-
nens OF the District OF Columbia, for
tue purpose OF representation In Con-
gress and among the electors of presi-
dent and Vice President. and for the
purpose OF suing and being sued In ths
courts OF the United States under the
provisions OF Article 3. Section 2. of
the Constitution. which rights are now
Denied 10 the people OF the District.
ms amendment In no way changes
Inc form OF the local government
me trainers OF the Constitution at
the time OF its adoption had under con-
sideration the creation OF dual SOW
ereignty. an untried experiment.
There is nothing In the history OF
the dealings OF the United States with
the District OF Columbia that shows an
intention or desire 10 exclude perma-
nently the Americans living In the Fed
erai District from the rights of repre-
stntation In the government Of the Ma
ton, possessed by the Americans In all
the States. But little was said ON the
subject OF the political rights OF the
residents Of the District prior TO The
adoption Of the Constitution. The most
important statement that we have been
able 10 find was that Of James Madl-
son In the Federalist.
As the State he said will no doubt
provide In the compact for the rights
and the consent Of the citizens inhabit.
ing It., as they will have had their voice
In the election OF the government which
Ia TO exercise authority over them
THE voice IN the election of the GOV.
eminent was however. confined 10 the
original inhabitants
William Henry Harrison. In a mes
sage III 1871 deprecating the political
status of the people OF the United
States, said:
The people of the District OF Co
iumbia are not the subjects Of the peo-
ME az tha VT.tt.A o.n.m -.