Evening star., 1936-04-12

observer OF District history can lay
the blame for it upon District citizens.
Congress. however, did not intend
in 1874 that the commission form
of government should be permanent.
AS explained by one member of Con-
gress in 1878. We have been simply
waiting for the time to come when
the ordinary conditions Of peace would
bo so far restored that We might have
here the opportunity of re-establishing
a government which should be in ac-
cordance with the democratic princi-
Piles of the Constitution of the United
States This opinion was borne out
by the actions of the House and
Senate District Committees in report
ing on the organic act of 1878. The
former included in its proposed bill
a provision for the election by the
people of the District of city council
of "a members, while the latter sub
stituted therefor provision for the
election by the people of the District
Of a delegate In Congress. But. like
so many worthy present-day District
matters, both provisions were dropped
in conference between the House and
Senate, due to their disagreement.
I'VE wish we might discuss this
question further, but space will not
here permit. Before closing. however.
we will state that it will indeed be
happy day in the lives Of those Of
us in the District who furnish the
funds for running our government,
when all Senators and Representatives
adopt the fair, American and demo-
cratic attitude toward District affairs,
like that stated by distinguished
Senator in 1873 who, In talking Of
the organic act, then recommended
by the Senate District Committee,
said
"'I do not propose to vote for this
bill. There is not enough suffrage
in it to command my vote. would
have a mixed government here. I
would have a portion of these officers
appointed by the general government.
and I would have portion selected
by the people of this District, so that
We should have in the contribution
of the taxes that we pay officers that
shall control, or aid in controlling
their disbursement. And for the same
reason, would have some officers
from the District who should join
with those of the government in exer-
cising the municipal authority, which
Is to be exercised here. I hold that if
we take all government from the
people in relation to municipal affairs,
then 1t becomes our duty to pay all
the taxes. - I am willing to vote
that; and am willing to vote a divi-
sion of taxes when you secure a
division of the administration of the
laws and the government in this Dis
trict between the United States and
the people of the District: and I
will not vote for any bill which seeks
to have the entire control of the Dis
trict placed in the hands of the Gov
ernment, and then taxes the people
without giving them any authority in
the expenditure of that taxation.
Congressional Record. May "a, 1879
Believed Constitutions Intent.
THAT, we submit, is the kind of
mutual arrangement between the
Federal Government and District citi-
zens, which would be near approach
at least, to the intent Of the trainers
of our Constitution in establishing
the seat of Government Of the United
States.
THE efforts which have been made
from time to time by District citi-
zens for some form of political self
expression, recall to mind the words,
written many years ago. by one of
humanity,s greatest benefactors. who
looked upon the democracy of his
adopted America, not only as a God
send for the citizens of this country,
but as prototype, which other nations
could beneficially copy. He said:
There is implanted in the heart of
every human community the sacred
germ of Self-government, as the most
potent means of Providence for raising
them In the scale of being. Any rules,
be he President or Gar, who attempts
to suppress the growth of this sacred
spark, is guilty Of the greatest of
public crimes"