Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-25
HARTLEY PLEADS
FOR VOTE IN D. c.
Holds Plight of Citizens En-
courageS Anti-American
RadicaIiSm.

The voteless plight of the citizens of
the District of Columbia encourages
anti-American radicalism, Representa-
tive Fred A. Hartley, jr., of New Jersey,
declared last night in a radio address
from Station WRC under the auspices
of the Citizens Joint Committee on
National Representation. The address
was the second of a series of four being
sponsored by the citizens organization.
The fact that the people of the Ma
tional Capital have no voice in the
Federal Government vindicates the
slurring appraisement of the dignity
and value of American citizenship and
OF American principles and ideals which
is frequently voiced by radical and
revolutionary elements, Mr. Hartley
asserted. In addition, he continued it
disables the Government in fighting the
unpatriotic indifference of contempt Of
which non-voting Is symptom.
Cites Rights of Citizens.
Citing various authoritative express
SionS by early tribunals and legislative
bodies of the fundamental right of every
citizen of the Nation to all privileges
enjoyed by any other citizen, the
speaker pointed out that the failure of
the founders of the American Govern
ment to give the people of Washington
national representation was clearly an
omission, which should be Immediately
remedied.
"It is stated in the declaration of
rights of Maryland that The right of
the people to participate in the Legisla-
ture is the best security for liberty, and
the foundation of all free governments,
he declared.
From the address of the General
Court of Massachusetts, in 1853 to the
Earl of Shelburn it is declared The
spirit of the law of nature and of ma
lions supposes that all the free subjects
of any kingdom are equally entitled to
all the rights of the Constitution; for it
appears unnatural and unreasonable to
affirm, that local or other circumstances
can justly deprive any part OF the sub
jectS of the same prince of the full en-
joyment of the Constitution upon which
the Government itself is founded, and
by which sovereignty and allegiance are
aScertained and limited
No power on earth, said the House
OF Burgesses Of Virginia, has right to
impose taxes on the people, or take the
smallest portion of their property with
out their consent given by their repre-
SentativeS. This has been considered as
the chief pillar of the Constitution;
without this support, no man can be
said to have the least shadow of liberty
Taxation without representation, is
the very essence of tyranny said the
Continental Congress.
These clear expressions of basic
principles underlying our Government
represent clearly the firm conviction of
the coloniStS during the formative pc
Rod of our American commonwealth
1t is difficult for one to believe that the
men who subscribed to such sentiments
could have intended to perpetually bar
the residents of the seat of Government
from all participation in that Govern
ment.
Resolution Before Congress.
at seems natural to me that as good
Americans the residents Of the Dis
trict of Columbia are determined to. |
acquire for themselves and their pos
terity. those basic rights as national
Americans, for which our forefathers
fought. and which are the birthright
Of every American citizen. To cure
the anomalous situation existing at the
seat of Government, which was clearly
an omission on the part of the found
ing fathers, an amendment is required
TO the Constitution of the United States.
This is covered by H. r. joint reso1u-
ton "a, pending now before the House
committee on the judiciary. The joint
resolution proposes an amendment to
the Constitution empowering Congress
to grant unto the residents of the Dis
trict of Columbia voting representation
in the Senate and House of Representa-
tives, the vote for President and Vice
President and the equal right, with cit
liens of a State, to sue and be sued In
the courts of the United States.
THE proposition is so clear-cut and
manifestly fair that it is difficult to I'M
derstand why there should be any delay
on the part of Congress to promptly
give its approval and submit the matter
to the Legislatures of the several States
for their consideration and ratification
"Of course, the District of Columbia
Is the seat of the Federal Government,
and under the terms of the Constitution
is under the exclusive legislative control
Of Congress. The people of the Nation
are interested In their Capital and de-