The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-12-14
One Worthy Constitu,
tionaI Amendment
Tntelligencer, EdW1rdSUilIe, Ill.,,
NoU. 20, 1856

(Intelligencer, EdWdrdSuilIe, Ill.,,
NoU. 20, 1886
During the recent presidential
campaign, and before, there was
much discussion about amend
ments to the Constitution. Little
came of it all, except an apparent
determination on the part of a
majority of the citizens of the
United States to resist tinkering
with our basic law.
With this sentiment the Intel
ligencer is in general agreement.
We do not believe the Constitu-
ton, as a whole, has outlived its
usefulness. We believe it still is
one of the greatest governmental
documents of all times. We feel
that it's basic features should re-
main undiSturbed.
But that is not to say that the
Constitution should never be
amended. Even the trainers of the
Constitution foresaw the necessity
of changes from time to time and
made provision therefor.
At the moment a campaign is
under way for constitutional
amendment which we de e m
worthy of support and which we
hope will be given a favorable
hearing in Congress and by the
States. This is an amendment
which would grant the privilege
of voting to permanent residents
of the District of Columbia.
The Districts population 1880
censuS) exceeds that of eight
States, and the voting-age popu-
lation is estimated at 433, 900, ex-
ceeding the voting-age population
of 10 States.
During that last fiscal year the
District of Columbia paid ST., 1922
929 in national taXes-more than
the sum paid in such taxes by 25
of the States individually; more
than was paid by nine States
combined. In the levying Of these
taxes, and in their expenditure
citizens of the District had no
voice.
During the World War the Dis
trict sent more men to the colors
than any of II States, although
unrepresented in the body which
declared war, and prosecuted it.
There are other figures bear
ing on the Districts contribu-
tions to the nation, but they pale
into insignificance beside the basic
principles of democracy that all
people shall be represented IN
their government.
A reading of the debates
of the constitutional Congress
indicates that there was no
intent by the trainers OF our
government to deny application
of this principle to those who
CHANGED to live in the national
capital.
The constitution-makers unln-
tentionally failed to give Congress
| the power Ndud1OSOuo w VAAoo
which is possessed with regard
to the admission of territories to
Statehood of granting representa-
ton in Congress and in the elect.
oral college, to the population OF
the District when it becomes IT,
There was introduced in the
last Congress a constitutional
amendment which would right
this wrong. 1t will be re-introduced
in the Congress which conVenes
in January.
The Intelligencer feels that the
residents of the District have a
right to vote. Government en-
ployes, at work in Washington,
but maintaining voting resi-
dence elsewhere, are permitted to
vote at home. We see no reason
why the non-governmental en-
ployes in the District should be
denied that privilege. We hope
our representatives in DO t n
branches of Congress will sup
port this amendment, and that
it will be ratified by the required
number of States.