The Washington times., 1936-12-09
Let's Correct This!
(Eaole-GGsette, Lancaster, Ohio,
NoU. %, 1856

Eagle Gazette, Lancaster, Ohio,
NoU. %, 1885,
Perhaps never in the history of
this nation, has the century-and-a-
half vogue of suffrage denial to the
District Of Columbia reeked with
such pungency!
Here we find $4,000 Americans
Cin spirit), inhabiting what is un-
disputedly Americas most solid
community, taking part in the
country's innumerable coups to
defeat depression, protecting the
flag they cannot as voters, call
their own-discriminated against
each November because they are
capital aliens"
Despite their American residence,
these people are literally without
a country. that is, if we catalog
our suffrage rights in the column
reserved for the acme in patriot
ism.
We do not believe that trainers
Of the Constitution were inten-
tional parties to this discrimina-
tory procedure. Neither do we con-
slider for a moment that these pa
triots would not abrogate this
clause if they we're alive today.
But in their absence, it is up to
the American people to act, and
they should act willingly through
congressional representation when
the matter reaches the lower
House floor this coming January.
Let's consider some statistics
concerning the Capitals popula-
ton. The Washington Times,
fighting a praiseworthy battle to
remedy the situation, cites the
following facts:
I'VE believe denial Of the
right to vote to the Districts
$4,000 residents nothing less than
unfair discrimination. Population
here 1880 census) exceeds that Of
eight States and the voting-age
population - 433, 3,000-eXce d
those Of 10 States.
During the last fiscal year the
District paid in national taxes
$17,322,929. This was more than
the sum paid in such taxes by Is
of the States individually, by nine
States combined. In levying of
these taxes and in their expendi-
ture, our citizens had no voice.
During the World War, the Dis
trict sent more men to the colors
than any one of II States. al.
though unrepresented in the body
which declared war and prose,
cuted it"
What the Times didn't say: The
District has a combined wealth OF
nearly two billion dollars, per
capita, $3.50: the most jealous
protectors of national peace make
up it's populace; each House OF
Congress has a committee on the
District, members of which deter
mine current and anticipatory tax
alton (for improvements to bt
paid by Capital-area taxpayers
District residents are highly liter
ate, largely American born: the!
contribute to every national pro
gram for the betterment of Amer
lea WITHOUT fraternal participa
tion in the fruits of victory.
A%A
We who are remote from
Washington have given 1ittl'
thought to this question. If WI
have, it has taken no tangible, cor
rectional form-lesS to our credit
But surely, we should not stanc
idle now; especially since we re
turned President Roosevelt to of
flee with a mandate Of "unitec
front" proportions.
We need the District of Colum
bias congressional representation
as we never needed it before! W.
need these peoples firSt-hand reac
tions on matters of national inter
est. They live where laws are made
They, better than any of us, arr
prepared to intelligently dissec
national legislation by virtue o
their proximity to our seat of Ma
tional Government.
Up to this time, the burden O.
advising the nation has resteC
solely on the shoulders of the press
This is as it should be. But dis
elimination in suffrage can neve,
be justified by inactivity, nurseC
by outworn conStitutionality, o.
clouded by inept reverence!
The District of Columbia has
patiently waited for its voting vel
to be lifted. 1t has protested to NJ
avail. We laud The Washington
Times for its patriotism in attempt
ing to make Americans out O
100000 citizens who cannot legal!
votel