Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-30

from all of the other citizens of this
great Republic They must pay taxes,
yet they have no voice in saying how
much or why. They must submit to
all the laws that Congress may impose
upon them, but have no voice in their
making. They must obey every Ordi-
nance and regulation of the Govern
ment, defend it in war and support it
in peace. yet are not privileged to sub
nit to the legislative body that controls
them. through legally elected represent
atives, a word of advice or protest. This
is surely un-American, in conflict with
the Declaration of Independence, in con-
f1ict with the spirit of the Constitution,
with the spirit of our institutions, and
with the fundamental rights of a pro-
gressive, intelligent people; and with
the spirit Of the most advanced and en-
lightened age in history.
Suffrage Struggle a Long One.
THE struggle for suffrage for the
people of the District of Columbia has
continued for many years. 1t has been
advocated by many far-seeing people
and by many leading statesmen Of the
Nation since 1901 and favored by Presi-
dents Madison, Jackson, William Henry
Harrison and johnson. The peculiar
status of the people of the District of
Columbia has been a matter of comment
by leading writers and thinkers of other
countries. Lord Brice, In his incom-
parable work on our Constitution, par
ticularly refers to this as an anomaly
in government and points out how
unique 1t is In the supposedly freeSt
Government in the world. And during
the past 10 years the people of the Dis
trict more than ever before have been
engaged in that age-old struggle to
achieve what they conceive to be the
fundamental rights of every people
capable of self-government, the right
OF suffrage and the right to participate
in the Government to which they owe
allegiance through duly elected Repre-
sentativeS in both Houses of the Con-
greSs Of the United States.
Ihere Is now pending before both
houses OF Congress a joint resolution
proposing an amendment to the Con-
Stltution to confer limited suffrage and
limited representation to the legal resi-
dents Of the District of Columbia.
Though this proposed amendment is far
short of granting the District what is
justly due, 1t will be a long step in the
right direction and If approved by both
houses of Congress, feel assured it will
be ratified by the State Legislatures.
The American people believe in a
square deal for all and so l am con-
vtnced that when the Legislatures of
the several States consider officially the
unjust and un American system of gov
eminent which controls the District,
they will be quick to ratify such reso-
luton and thus make the District
government of the people, by the people,
and for the people.
Enlightened public opinion through
out the nation is supporting a policy
Of development in a public building pro-
gram in Washington, so as to make 1t
on ideal Capital city. a city in keeping
with its cultured and splendid popula-
ton, city satisfactory to the high and
patriotic instincts of all genuine Ameri-
cans, and Capital that will be credit
to a wealthy, powerful, humanitarian
and progressive people, that will attract
visitors from all the nations. quote
from President Coolidge in a message
70 Congress on this subject.
Lot it express the soul OF America.
Whenever an American is at the seat
of his Government, however travelled
and cultured he may be, he ought TO
find a city of stately proportion, SYM
metrically laid out and adorned with
the best that there is in architecture,
which would arouse his imagination
and stir his patriotic pride
IT am in hearty accord with Mr..
Coolioge's statement Washington should
be made the most attractive capital
in the world 1t should not only be
the center of art, learning, culture,
a city of architectural beauty but 1t
should also be a city where every
citizen is on an equality with every
other citizen in the land, where each
citizen has the right to express him
self through the ballot on local and
national policies.
"a Simple Matter of Justice"
1.-The people of Washington ought
not to be controlled politically as were
the mobiles of France during the reign
of Louis XIV. who, like the whole
French population, could hope for only
such favorS as radiated from that gay
monarch. The people of the District
of Columbia can feel secure in their
rights only as they receive security by
the grace of Congress. Although Con-
gTeSs may have sought at all times to
deal justly with the District, the peo-
pie of the District rightly feel that
this justice comes merely as a matter
of grace. The pending resolution adj
hitting the people of the District to
suffrage should receive early and ia
vorable congressional action. 1t is a
simple matter of justice"