Evening star., 1936-06-24
Text of Aliens Speech
Commissioner Makes Plea for National Representa-
tiox for District Before Democratic
Conperfiou

(Onr,
The full text of Commissioner Aliens
speech pleading for national repre-
sentation for the District, as delivered
today before the Platform Committee
at the Democratic National Conven-
ton. follows:
One hundred and sixty years ago
brave men shed their blood that the
rugged and unyielding land in which
they lived might become what it has
become-a great, free democracy.
They left their humble homes, and the
women and children who needed them,
to brandish their pitiable weapons in
the face of trained armies. They died
for a cause magnificent and glorious.
But for a half million residents of
the District of Columbia those men
laid down their lives in vain. Those
patriots who offered up their all that
taxation without representation might
be swept from this country today can
look down upon section of the
United States that is denied the very
fruits of their eternal sacrifice. 1t
probably isn't pretty picture for
them to behold.
Not "Abject Plea"
This is to be no object plea for a
vote for the District of Columbia. The
past is strewn with "abject appeals" !"
some of them almost craven in their
manner. An American should not
have to plead for vote any more
than they should have to seek permis-
sion to breathe. This is to be, instead,
reminder that now is the time for
all just men to rise up and give unto
the Capital of their Nation the funda-
mental privilege that made this land
a government by the people-the right
of suffrage.
The reasons why the forefathers
failed to provide for the representation
of the residents of the seat of the Fed
eral Government are easily understood.
At the time the Constitution was
adopted 1t was uncertain as to what
the area of the Federal District would
be or what would be its population.
Opinion was then expressed by leading
men that when its population became
adequate, representation in Congress
would be given to it.
Uncertain as to whether there
would be a Federal union, it is not
strange that they overlooked the peo-
pie in the seat of Government, not
yet located. when it was not known if
there would be any population.
Not Blind to Development.
After the seat Of Government was
located on the banks of the Potomac,
with Its full 10 miles square of possible
area, the forefathers were not, as
sometimes contended, blind to the
possibility of future development of a
great city on this site. George Wash
ington, for example, predicted that
the City of the Nation century
thence, If the country kept united
London, yet of a magnitude inferior
to few others in Europe
In his imagination, Washington saw
the fair fields and wooded hills of his
namesake city covered with homes of
numerous, busy and happy people.
The people he saw were not in out
ward appearance aliens politically and
less than aliens judicially, but normal
citizens clothed with all American
rights not absolutely inconsistent with
the fostering control by the Nation Of
the National Capital.
It is inconceivable that the founder
of this great democracy could imagine
that the wonderful capital which he
visioned would be peopled by Ameri-
cans who would be less than Ameri-
cans in that they were deprived Of
the fundamental rights of Americans,
for which Washington and the fore
fathers fought, and be classed politi-
cally with aliens, convicts and luna
tics.
Population Exceeds Eight States.
The District of Columbia today
census 1886 estimate) thrives with
more persons than Is of the 16 States
in the Union had at the time the
District was founded. Only Colonial
Virginia had more than Washington's
over a half million residents of today.
But, what is more to our point, the
District of Columbia, though it is the
smallest geographical unit in the
Federal system, exceeds 8 of the
States in population 1880 census)
This voteless, speeches., unjustly dis
criminated-against National Capital
community paid more than $4,000
600 In national internal revenue alone
last year and that is more than paid
by each of % States, and more than
States combined. It's population in
creased % per cent from 1880 until
last year, while the population Of the
United States increased only 4 per
cent. The Districts per capita wealth
Of $3.50 is greater than that Of 81
Of the 48 States. Savings deposits
alone in the District jumped from 10
millions in 1916 to 1o3 millions in
1885. That latter figure outdistances
81 States of the Union.
These are bare and blunt figures.
BY themselves they probably prove
little. It is what they say inferen-
TALLY that is the important thing to
consider. They tell you that the Dis
trict Of Columbia paid more national
taxes last year than nine States COM
bined with a total of 18 Senators and
lS Representatives In Congress, and
these nine States have 36 electoral
votes for President and Vice President.
Find one solitary parallel of injustice