Evening star., 1947-01-07

TCHl cSSIltdbiOI 1OE Lie 1(lSGFlCt WAS
introduced in Congress in 1859. In
different forms, legislation seeking
the same end has been introduced
in nearly every succeeding Congress.
Explaining that the proposed
amendment would merely empower
Congress to provide national repre-
sentation for the permanent resi-
dents of the District of Columbia"
Senator Capper emphasized it would
leave the details Of such repre-
sentation to be worked out by the
Congress. Full power is given to
Congress either to Withdraw or mod
ify the form of such representation
as may be provided by subsequent
legislation"
He said he had always felt "mor-
tification and shame" at the realiza-
tion that the fine, patriotic, public
spirited" citizens of the District "are
politically only the subjects of the
United States and by no means the
political equals of the citizens of the
States. It is a condition that is alb
solutely wrong and does not make
sense.
Text of Resolution.
Under the law they are recognized
fully as the equals of the people in
the States as to bearing all the bur-
dens of American citizenship which
fall alike on all citizens of the Re-
public. While they are denied the
vote and representation in the coun-
ellis of our Nation, they are required
to pay national taxes and to fight,
bleed and die in the service of their
country"
Text of the resolution follows:
Joint Resolution.
Proposing an amendment to the
Constitution Of the United States
empowering Congress to grant rep
resentation in the Congress and
among the electors of President and
Vice President to the people Of the
District of Columbia.
Whereas in recognition OF the
fact that the District which is the
seat of the Government of the
United States is a populous and per-
separate political unit
which, IN keeping with its special
purpose, is not and should not be-
come q State or part of a State;
and with intent that the effective
rights Of the citizens resident in
that District, including their par
ticipation in the Government of the
United States, shall be as nearly
similar to those of the citizens resi-
dent in the several States as may
be without impairing the supreme
authority of the said Government
over its Capital: Therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and the
House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Con-
gress assembled (two-thirds of each
House concurring therein), That the
following amendment to the Consti-
tuition Of the United States be pro-
posed for ratification by the legisla-
t,lre of the several States, which
when ratified by the legislature of
three-fourths of the States within
seven years of the date Of its pas
sage, shall pe valid as a part of said
Constitution, namely:
1.-THE Congress shall have power
to provide that there shall be in the
Congress and among the electors
Of President and Vice President
members elected by the people of
the District constituting the seat of
the Government of the United
States, in such numbers and with
such powers as the Congress shall
determine. All legislation hereun-
der shall be subject to amendment
and repeal"
Requirements for Passage.
The Senate joint resolution re-
quires, for passage, q two-thirds
vote of the Senate and Of the House.
It does not 60 to the President for
but is forwarded to the
Secretary of State for transmittal
to each of the 40 States for rati-
f1cation.
To become an amendment to the
Constitution, the proposal must be
ratified by three-fourths of the State
within a period Of
seven years. If so ratified, it would
then empower Congress to enact
legislation giving suffrage to the
District.
The new Senate Judiciary Com
mittee, which will act on the
Capper resolution, was completed
yesterday afternoon when the
Democrats appointed their minority
members to the body.
The Democrats are: Senators
McCarran, Nevada, former chair
man; Kilgore, West Virginia; East
land, mississippi; Fulbright, Arkar-
sas; Mc0rath, Rhode Island, and
Magnusof, washington.
Other Republicans, besides Chair
man Wiley, are: Senators LANCER,
North Dakota; Ferguson, Michigan:
Revercomb, West Virginia: Moore,
Oklahoma: Donnell, Missouri, and
Cooper Kentucky.