The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-01-20
Voteless Washington

The wreck of Washington is a long, continued story, tracing the history of the Capital of our country from the cradle of Democracy to the political dumping grounds. George Washington wanted to seat of government located on the banks of the Potomac, and as usual, his wishes were okayed. WaShington'S downfall was an aftermath of the war between the North and the South, and it is the most shameful chapter in the history of our nation
 The political game played in Washing ton would raise riots and rebelllonS Tn states like Arizona, Montana and Yer mont, whose combined populations prac- tically equal that of Washington. Ten other States have from one-half to three fourths as many people as there are ln the District. All the fundamental prin- cipleS of our Federal Government are based on the rights of people. The peo- pie have no political rights in Washing ton
 Abraham Lincoln'S ringing address at Gettysburg in November, 1863, was an appeal for the rights of all our people. He declared: "Fourscore and seven years ego our fathers brought forth on this con- tinent new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal"
 There is no democracy in the way the Capital of the United States is ruled since government of the people, by the people" was destroyed in Washington The Congress very clearly has authority to "exercise exclusive legislation" over a "territory'. All territories" except one have been raised to Statehood.
 Any intelligent person who can read and understand the English language, will readily understand the absolute fal- lacy of the alibi Congress has built up to cover the political trickery of 1874 and 1878. Congress denied, and destroyed the Peoples rights to vote in the "terri- tory" Cor district)
 Congress has insisted through all these long years that it vii ltake a Constitu- tional Amendment to undo the 'perma- nent" withdrawal of suffrage from the people who are residents of Washington. That claim is preposterous, on it's face. Congress should receive notice from the 48 States that Lincoln's championship of the people must be recognized.
 Thirty-five members of the two branches of Congress continue to over ride the will of million people ot wash ington - the same class of people whom Lincoln declared should rule their own public and political affairs. Fifteen are members of the Senate District Commit tee. The twenty Representatives are from Congressional Districts with popu-- lations fraction as large as the city ot Washington. The Senate District Com mittee is seldom attended by quorum Of its members. The House District Con- mittee is seldom attended by quorum of it's members. There are Citizens Asso- citations in every part of this great Capital and with one accord they have gone Tn force, time after time for more than 70 years, to argue and beg for their constitu- tional rights, and Freedom. The Senate and House District Committees hold drumhead meetings, at which they let the representatives of Washington repeat their sad story and protest against the blight of being cheated out of their birth rights. We repeat: This Is a National Issue.