Argument by Prof. A. T. Jones

MR. CHAIRMAN: As was announced, I am from Michigan. That, of course, puts me at once outside the District, and among those who were informed by one of the speakers on the opposite side that this legislation as to what is done inside the District is “none of our business.” But I submit that whatsoever the Congress of the United States does is the business of every citizen of the United States, whether done in the District of Columbia or anywhere else. The Constitution of the United States says that I, having been born in the United States, and subject to its jurisdiction, am a citizen of the United States. Therefore that is why I am here; because this legislation concerns not only me but every other citizen of the United States outside the District of Columbia.RJSB 11.2

If the people of the District of Columbia were self-governing people, and had this to accomplish themselves, as the people of a State, then it would be none of my business, who do not belong in the District of Columbia; but when the Congress of the United States does it, then it is the business of every citizen of the United States, because the Congress of the United States has instruction from the people of the United States setting limitations beyond which the Congress can not go in legislation. And that is why I am here. Therefore I shall not speak on any of the local affairs of the District of Columbia, but solely upon the principle involved in this legislation.RJSB 11.3