Evening star., 1943-10-17


D. c. Voting Membership in Congress
Essential to Our Local Government
BY JESSE c. sUTER.
D. {. Problem Unlike That in Any Other Community
The report the recent investigation alnse Hospital
BY subcommittee Of the the District of
Columbia again centers attention the
elective Columbia The report emu.
merates Its nndngs and urges the removal Of
cludng District Commissioner.
The subcommittee opinion that the only cure
the prevailing unsatisfactory Ganser BE- found
In the setting elective along the plan
made clear
individuals after superficial examination OF
the proposal rushing to ndorse the Some who have
given closer study to the bill ndorse principle only and
that required could be
satisfactory substitution for the present annonvs
The McCarran pan being the manager
form OF government has inspired
council and forms other cities may
similarity in the general outline Of the
noted in fair comparison
which similar Because of basic differences
bill would solve complex problem municipal govern
ment for the National Capital
To begin with differences granting
by Legislature in which the
representation equality with the other
Their by of their equality participation
all kinds of State legislation get
charter which WILL for all practical
charter for local elective the District Columbia
would Congress people
tct have neither voice vote legislation either local
national
Another basic difference appear following
practice approval
American community polls
ereign American citizens power voting
last analysis are the actual rulers OF State and Nation and Is
conceded that their mandate influence beyond all
with
de-Americanized people Of the District of Columbia.
Having been granted city charter there would be little hke
hood Of interference by the Legislature unless desired by
ana there would be no strings attached to the powers IN the
charter OF the municipality would have comply with the
general laws of the State but would be tied the
strings" Of the Legislature.
with proposed
Here the apoweu Congress- which the District
exercise constitutional power
exclusive legislation in all whatsoever Not only would there
be complete Of legislation enacted by the Com
the very limited powers proposed changes
plan and overriding legislation could be enacted by Congress
time by rider appropriation bill by other
In other normal community the operation Of the
local proved unsatisfactory people they could
acting through their representatives the State surely
have desired notifications made Here another basic d
ference the of the District The desire of the Of the
District for change the experiences of the past
anything would civic problem
Of the longdelay action type.
The voss and unrepesend people the District have
pressed important bills and resolutions the desires
who for years have at the doors OF Con-
state that from their bitter experience voteless
represented people who completely outside the councils
Nation nave little any weight on Capitol HILL AS some old
citizens put it, District people deprived Of the precious pv
leg of American citizenship demand nothing their national
and local legislature because they voeess"
While the District good Congress
worked people right
voting participation Congress among electors
President and Vice President there others
claims for recognition District people
far different view as to what is preposterous
The District citizens regard preposterous the
American Congress continues its failure respond
and submit the State Legislatures
tuition which would the for grant fundamental
American rights which should American
denial included all other Americans and for the
careful study Of the various forms of local which
have operated the District since its founding
cun that the problem always been the entire absence
voting participation Congress which
complete And under those forms where the administrative
and judicial officers appointed the President the
vote for President presents additional problem
Aside from the local aspect the denial of the national
elections to District people places them in the position of being
lower than real citizen OF the United and the
with the insane and the convicted felon.
The first step toward introducing the heart Of
Nation the practice of the fundamental principles
democracy in republic would be add the
the United States the socaled amendment
j. Res 81 and s. j. Res 33 When that accomplished
the required legislation Hereunder
only will the people of the District be able participate
which would produce OF responsible equitable
and satisfactory local government
The language which the
to the Constitution follows:
The Congress shall have provide that
be in Congress and the electors President
President members elected people of
numbers with such the
All legislation shall subject
peal"
Without powers attanabe through
would continue within the shadow
Of deSpotism
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