Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-28

interest to their constituents, they are
not individually or in Congress col
lectively we'll qualified to legislate over
the local concerns Of this District. Con-
sequently, its interests are much neg
lected and the people are almost afraid
to present their grievances lest a body
in which they are not represented, and
which feels little sympathy in their
local relations. should in it's attempt to
make laws for them do more harm than
good. Is it not just to allow them at
least Delegate to Congress, II not a
local Legislature to make laws for the
District subject to the approval or re-
lection of Congress? I earnestly rec
ommend the extension to them of every
political right which their interests re-
quire and which may be compatible
with the Constitution
Arguments Applicable Now.
"1n view of the small population at
that time. President Jackson went as
far in the direction of national repre-
sentation as was then possible But his
arguments are equally applicable to
national representation as provided in
the proposed amendment for the pres
ent population Of more than half a
million.
IT think that every native Washing
tonian always has been interested in
the subject of being accorded the full
privilege Of citizenship. At least I
have.
There have been many plans and
movements on foot to obtain the right
of suffrage for the citizens Of WASH
ington. Some Of these plans have been
impractical, some have been inspired
for self-seeking and selfish reasons, and
some have been counter to all reason
and precedent.
Under the plan now being advocated
with a unanimity of opinion never
heretofore given the subject, can
see no reason for denial of what is be-
ing asked for. can say that with par
ticular emphasis, and know that Mr..
Colloday of the Republican committee
will join with me. It has come to my
ears that the main criticism leveled at
a vote for the District Of Columbia is
the bugaboo of corruption In politics
which they criticize, to realize that
up definite machinery Of election.
No Patience with Such Tactics.
II have no patience with people that
will stoop so low as to maliciously make
a statement of that character when
they know, or should take the pains to
be well informed enough on a subject
which they criticiSe, to realize that
there are only three types of officers to
be voted on-the President and Vice
President of the United States, pro-
portion of Representatives conformable
TO the constitutional apportionment
based on population, and the Senator,
or the two Senators.
There will be no ward politics, no
city hall gang, as exists In many other
cities; the form Of government now In
use would remain unchanged. There
will be no public funds to be made the
cats paw Of a corrupt ring, no police
force to be used TO barter and sell pro-
tection-these are now taken care Of
by the United States Government, but
paid for by taxes collected from the
people of the District Of Columbia, and
there Is no reason to change.
THE fact that this question Is really
not politically controversial is one of
the reasons am addressing you this
evening from the same platform from
which Mr.. Colloday Of the Republican
national committee talks to you.
Party Representation Cited.
1.-THE people Of the District of Co
lumbia have been recognized by both
the great political parties. The Re
publican and Democratic parties in ma
tional convention have recognized the
right Of the people of the District of
Columbia to have voice in the affairs
of their parties. This has been accom-
plished by granting representatives in
the convention that nominate their re-
spective candidates for President and
Vice President-the Republican party
granting two delegates and two alter
mates and the Democratic party, OF
which am member granting the
right Of six delegates and six alternates
to the District of Columbia. This per-
mits the people Of the District Of Co
lumbia a voice in the selection of can
didates Of the two parties. In addi-
ton, both parties grant us the right
to voice in the councils of their
parties by electing national commit
teeman and national committeewom-
an from the District of Columbia with
the same power and voting strength as
any State in the Union.
I'VE thus see that the great parties
themselves have given us full recogni-
ton. but 1t remains for the Congress
to accord the same justice and repre-
sentation, by adopting the joint reso-
luton proposing an amendment to the
Constitution Of the United States pro-
viding for national representation for
the people Of the District Of Columbia"