Evening star., 1949-02-13
Civic Problems, Civic Bodies
D.C.GovernmentR Reorganization Studies;
Commission Government and Later Plans
By Jesse G. Suter


Resumins Review of Local Government REORGANIZATION
Our study last Sunday eorganation of the
Columbia government made proposed during ls years noe
abolhing of the territorial government ana
temporary commission FORM !
Section of the Act of Congress TO- 1874 which created
temporary commission form Of government OF tne
and two ex-Repesenae whose duty should be to prepare
suitable form of government for the District OF coumo a. WIN WIN %
This charged with the duty Of submitting
which should be the District and by the United State
The Joint Select Committee through its Senator Lot
Morrill, of Maine reported 47s 4Srd Congress- second
and Senate bill No. $685. 3rd
second session The contemplated department Of
limited states strictly the affairs of
the head of which should oe ooalo o1 seiiei"4
designated the Board of Regents
This board was to consist members appointed by the
President which appoint such an
bureaus of the municipal should be necessary
to the of whose members De
Objections raised by several Senators caused te @
word Commissioners" for Regents when 1ne DILL was
introduced.
Senator George Wright of Iowa had offered substitute which
differed in three points Morrill, bill Cd Under the MORRILL,
bill the principal appointed by the
orr bill lodged the governing with
while the substitute put the power with Inn many e
complicated political machinery hard to understand wne tne
ut WAS Wa made r up o te~ debate on the
There final action.
r District Delegates Last Speech.
of interest to note OF the Distcs
voe House Gen. Chapman was made at tns tne
question of establishing permanent creo!a0e %
the District address, he sad DO not forget
that this entire community large of your States M
lit would Cypress people to point that would bring lasting
disgrace and tarnsh the fair name OF
liberty.
There not believe within the Christian nations al
SPOT as badly governed Congress has exclusive
legislative control too.
erno the District of Columbia of the wisdom
of this Nation exist "a it not for
rights of the several States which secure 1o ~
government" l
Two years after the abandoned special
this were not essential elements
of the commentator stated was doubtful OF passage
upGn 6jcb its meTess neTer d aden " n@0 'D
the during the short session before
which the famous HayesIden contest 1o 'n
p'0' The Organic Act of 1875
rc o P1np WAS On June H. 1878
and suggestions offered covering the proposed
volume Democracy Despotism in the American Capital
9 citizens fea tetS And this the
question would the government be representative
captivity by President s! Hayes nos IN
his nn4a m for the alike
for citizens and honorable to the Nation - . -.~o+
the House Of @ @ The III s bill was o
crowded for three Commissioners appointed President also
for council Of "a members to be to the
appontve general fiscal provision that
from M Federal funds and be raised
its elective features and the council were
appoint all officers and agents they collect
with police powers "a
works 0 they laws and regulations (6) they are
the duty of law enforcement including their own
enactmens
The appove powers Commissioners later modified
of the Board OF Education oy the Judges OF
United States District of Columbia
ent President of two members OF the Public UTILITIES
Commission and the Peoples Counsel.
"Citizens Committee Of Plan"
The Representative Committee of One Hundred on
February H. its select committee proposing
bill amend the Organic Act OF June H. 1885,
which made the following principal changes:
Appoint from civil life to be Commissioner OF the
District substitution for the three Commissioners
Such Commissioner qualifications and COM
provided by law for Commissioner appointed from
civil life.
Said Commissioner all and authority then
Commissioners limited and
provided in this restrictions and limitations
by law the three Commissioners
have authority to grant padons and respite
District and to commission all
should be appointed by him under the act
There would persons appointed annually by
the Senate should have oeen
Columbia for five years next before
appointment actual residents the council district from
which appointed for two years. and during ucn PERIODS nelth
residence voted anywhere ese /
council would have OF legislation on all municipal
by the various provisions OF the act ana
with the Constitution But said legislation would at all
modification the Congress OF
nothing the act be construed to deprive
legislation the District IN as ample
if the law had not been enacted
the municipal subjects in respect to which the council
eae the folowing Assessments
of nuisances plumbing buildings police
and local traffic wharves licenses egua
ton liquor charities public schools and officers
employees and salaries.
It was further provided that no
created by the council would take effect until
appropriation therefor The council was
have full adopt and provide for enforcing IN