Evening star., 1933-05-14

THE City Of Washington possesses
immense advantages; but its advan-
tages are not great enough to flourish
under SO absurd an administration Of
government"
Obtained Audience Quickly.
Never before had a citizen of wash
1ngton dared to speak up to Congress
in such defense of his community.
This virile, challenging criticism pro-
vlded Woodward with an audience at
once. Having thus secured attention,
he concluded his essay with a promise
to present in those same columns his
own suggestions concerning a govern
ment for the District of Columbia.
On the following day. which was
Christmas, the Intelligencer carried the
second and greatest of the "Epami-
nondas' articles; greatest because it con-
tained the first argument in behalf Of
national representation for the Dis
trict by means of Constitutional
amendment
1T is contrary to the genius of our
Constitutions, il is violating an original
principles Of republicsnism," Woodward
proclaimed. Ito deny that all that ale
governed by laws ought to participate
in the formation of them
He emphasized the urgency of defin-
ing without delay the political status
OF the District, which was not a State,
and yet could not in ell respects be
treated by Congress as were other Ter
ritorieS of the United States, because
of its special nature as the seat of
! Government.
Woodward asked that the District be
given one elected representative in the
Senate, "aS it cannot be on an
equality with State and possess two
votes,' and representation in th-
House based on the population of the
Capitol. He suggested further that,
until the District should have attained
population sufficient to entitlc it to
a representative in the House, 1t should
have an elected Delegate, who should
not have the right to vote.
Insisted on Right to Vote.
The writer insisted further, that the
people of the District should have the
right to vote for President and Vice
President.
An arrangement of this kind cannot,
however. be made by an ordinary act
OF Congress- he explained 1T will re-
quire an amendment to the Constitu-
ton of the United States, and as
more correct Judgment can be formed
on any proposition when it is before
the mind in all its details. sketch of
the article to that effect will be sub
mltted in an appendix to this number"
The constitutional amendment draft
ed by Woodward reads:
| The Territory of Columbia shall be
entitled to one Senator in the Senate
OF the United States, and to a number
of members in the House of Repre-
sentatlveS prcp0rtionate to its popula-
ton. Before it shall have attained a
population sufficient to entitle it to ore
Representative, it shall be entitled to
member who shall have the right to
deliberate, and receive pay. but not to
vote It shall also be entitled to one
elector for a President and Vice Presi-
dent OF the United States, until it shall
have attained a sufficient population
to entitle it to one Representative. and
then it shall be entitled to an additional
| elector for very Representative"
Solved Problem at 26.
This mastery presentation of fair
and adequate solution Of the Districts
greatest problem was the work of
lawyer who had just passed his 25sh
birthday. There can be no doubt of its
originality, and only praise can be
awarded its straightforward method of
exposition. But Woodward regarded
his task as only partially completed.
In his third essay he discussed a
territorial government for the District,
executive authority to be vested in a
Governor appointed by the President;
the legislative power in an elective body
comprising Senate and an Assembly.
| the territorial Senators to be elected at
large. the Assemblymen by districts,
and the judicial system of the District
| to consist Cd of General Court, sit
uated in Washington and possessing
original common law and equitable
! jurisdiction without limitation, subject
! to appeal in all cases directly to the
Supreme Court of the United States.
and ~ of aldermen appointed in Wash
! ington, Georgetown and Alexandria, to-.
/ gether with limited number of judges
for the country north and south of the
'Patowac,' these officers to have au-
thority to render judgments in cases
where cebt or damage did not exceed
S1OO
For the finding Of facts and the
ascertention of damages" Woodward
provided that each Judge or alderman
should be attended by jury Of six
freeholders" Appeals from their de-
cisions would be taken to the General
Court.
Surveyed Whole Issue.
| LII IllcSc lWO CSodyS NOONWdio Aldo
furnished comprehensive and prac-
ticable outline of government and po-
litical identity for the District. He
drafted and published a bill providing
for the establishment of the Legisla-
ture and judiciary. and stating clearly
the powers and qualifications of the
Governor The bill was complete to the
most minor detail. Never before had
any one been sufficiently informed or
concerned about the District to give
such study to possible plan Of gov
lernment.
Under system like this" Wood
ward concluded, 'the spirit of the Con-
stitution appears to be preserved. The
territory stands in its own natural and
distinct situation. It is not a part OF
any State. and is subject to no ex-
traneous legislation.
The Federal Government is in ex-
elusive possession of it, free from con-
trout (sic) and free from interference.
The coterminious States regard it as
no part of themselves: but as the COM
mon child of the Nation. the proud
monument of its glory and the strong
pivot of its union"
The lawyers shots struck home. All
Washington was discussing the "Epa-
minondas" articles, end speculating as
to the identity of the author. They
were read and reread not only by the
industrious and time saving artizans,' u
but by the national legislators in the
square edificc On Capitol Hill and by the
residents in the unfinished executive
mansion where John and Abigail Adams
were striving bravely to forget the COM
forts Of their Quincy home.
Bore First Fruits in 1900.
The effect of Woodward's arguments
became evident en- New Year eve, 1900
when the House took up for considera-
ton the bill carrying into effect the
provisions of the Special Committees
report The bill was unsparingly at
| tackled by Ccngressmen who had sud-
: denly become aware of its shortcom-
/ ings. The House sent the bill back
, to the committee by considerable ma.