The Washington times., 1936-12-16
District of Columbia
Wants Right to Vote
(Eventlg Leader, st. MGryS'
Ohio, Nov. rs, 1856

lumbia the right of franchise. AS
citizens, of the United States, they
are entitled to it. When the Con-
stitution was adopted in 1878, 1t
gave exclusive legislation over a
territory (not exceeding 10 miles
square) which may by session Of
particular States and the accept
ance of Congress become the seat
of Government of the United
States. The so-called District of
Columbia existed at that time in
name only and the trainers Of
the Constitution, acting within
the scope of their vision, never
intended, according to the debates
of the Constitutional Congress, to
deny the right of franchise to any
citizen. In specifying that Con-
gress should have exclusive legiS-
lation in the District, the conSti-
tutional fathers merely acted neg
atively towards the rights of peo-
pie living within the District, in
stituting an evasion unpremeditat-
edly and without malice afore-
thought. Freedom was too price
less an object to be trifled with,
especially by those who had set
themselves to bring it about. Ar
ticle XIV, ratified July %, 1868,
specifically prohibits abridgement
of citizenship rights to any person
Of legal age, born or naturalized
in the United States, however al
luding to States only and not to
the District of Columbia.
Times have changed consider
ably since these early days. The
District of Columbia has grown
immensely since that time, en-
comprising an estimated voting
populace of 433, 900, which exceeds
the voting-age population of 10
States. Fairness would impel
lifting the pail of discrimination
hanging over highly literate and
largely native-born American peo-
pie to the number of $4,000. Eff
forts will be continued in Con-
gress, convening in January, to
pass resolution calling for con-
Stitutional amendment righting
this wrong. When one considers
the worth which the District bears
to the Nation, it would seem sac
rilegious that the stigma of
alienation should rest upon it. It
contributed $17,322, ,929 in ma
tional taxes during the last fiscal
year, which is more than the sum
paid for such purposes by Is of
the States individually. Again,
more of its citizens were called
to the colors during the World
War than in any one of II States,
although unrepresented in the
body which declared and prose.
cuted it. Fighting for the Nation
should entitle a man to full citi.
zenShip.
In the light of present-day juris.
prudence, it is difficult to differ
entiate the claims of States, ter.
ritories or districts. All are a
part of this vast domain of ours
and should have equal representa-.
ton. People in our far-flung ter.
rltorleS enjoy greater privileges
than those closest the seat of our
Government. If there is any sense
of propriety in that kind of ar.
rangement, we fail to see it. On
the other hand, the idea that a
body of citizens (who by virtue
Of their close proximity to the
source of congressional, executive
and judicial intuition, are privi-
legged to know first hand of the
Cover ment tranSpirations)
should be set aside from govern
mental participationS, is we'll nigh
prepoSterous. Since our ConSti.
tuition is growing entity and
amenable to the needs of the peo-
pie as time goes on, it seems
h1gh My proper that another
amendment be added to fit the
case of the District of Columbia.
The citizens of the District de-
sire that this scar of aloofness be
removed from them. They feel
the stigma more than words can
tell. While the District is ruled
by Congress, through a Board of
Commissioners appointed by the
President, the municipality of
Washington, now coeXtenSive with
the District and embracing 70
square miles, bears taxes both cur
rent and for improvements. This
again presents an incongruous
condition, in that it features tax
alton without representation. We
sympathize with those who are
trying to get this matter straight
ened and especially with Mr.. A. G..
Newmyer, publisher Of The Wash
ington Times, fighting for the
cause. 1t is necessary that the
members of Congress be conscious
of the irregularities and pass a
resolution calling for a referen-
dunn on an amendment. In be-
half OF this cause we would enlist
the attention of the Congressman
Of the fourth Ohio congressional
district, the Hon. Frank L. Kloeb.
Since the ratification entails a
wide scope of action and length
OF time, considerable publicity will
be brought to bear to bring the
proposition before the people in
as timely way as possible. The
hope is that the Congress, to con,
vene in January, will take appro-