Evening star., 1940-07-19

giving the States an opportunity to
pass on the proposal to give bona
fide residents of Washington q voice
and vote in self-government under
our American system"
Senator Murray of Montana: ut
seems to me to be most reasonable
that there should not be any Sec
ton of the United States where
the people are denied the right to
vote. I intend to give the subject
of District suffrage most earnest
study and particularly the effect
Of the plank which we have put
in our party platform-to see if
can find any cogent reason for not
giving them the right to vote. To
me it is intriguing and strikingly
similar to the problem in Ireland,
where they are trying to separate
four counties in the north from the
Irish Free State. We should not
have a similar situation here
Wins Whites Interest.
William Allen White of Kansas,
famous publisher and counselor in
national politics: Il intend to write
my views on national representa-
ton for the National Capital. Un-
der the principle of taxation with
out representation is tyranny II
certainly seems that the residents
of the District of Columbia are be-
ing defrauded. In presenting this
plank to the party platform. they
are asking no more than their royal
American rights"
Senator Walsh of Massachusetts,
a member of the Platform Com
mittee: Il was glad to have the
Democratic party in its platform
favor national representation for
the people of the District Of Co.
lumbia. I think 1t is q strong move
in that direction. I favor its &C.
complishment."
Senator O'Mahoney of Wyoming
member of the Platform Com
mittee: Il was on the committee
that included the District suffrage
plank in the platform of the Demo-
cratic party. think it is a good
plank"
Representative Shannon Of Mis-
souri,: Il am pleased to see q plank
in our platform to give national
representation to the people of the
District. The franchise is the high
est right and privilege of a free
people. Taxation without repre-
sentation was responsible for our
becoming a Nation. The people at
the seat of government are taxed
and have not been given represent
alton in the deliberations which re-
suit In the laws under which a free
people govern themselves. They
should have 1t. They should be
allowed to become part of their
Government. I will cooperate in
this effort"
Representative Randolph, chair
man of the House District Commit
tee, who appeared before the Plat
form Committee with a plea for
suffrage for the District of Colum-
bia, said: "An important milestone
has been reached on the road for
voting privileges for bona fide res
idents of the District of Columbia
I am personally gratifled, and be-
lieve I speak the sentiment of q
vast majority of Washingtonians
in expressing genuine appreciation
to the Democratic party for its open
declaration for suffrage at the Ma
tional Capital. This action should
spur our efforts to formulate leg
islative plans to speed the day when
men and women will with dignity
and responsibility exercise the rights
which have too long been denied.
I pledge my earnest efforts and
fullest cooperation for the desired
end. During my four terms as a
member of Congress I have ener-
getically carried on, with both en-
couragement and help from others,
the fight for the franchise for a
growing group of intelligent and
civic-minded American citizens"