In defiance of good sense and simple justice, Congress for 91 years has served as self-appointed city council for the District of Columbia. Washington's 800,000 residents thus have no more control over their affairs than the people of a colonial territory. Every President since Harry Truman has sought home rule for the capital; so have both parties' platforms since 1948. Though the Senate has now passed the necessary legislation five times, almost every home-rule bill has died in the House District Committee, traditionally controlled by Southerners. Since Washington is the only major U.S. city with a majority of Negro citizens,...
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