OPINION:
For those proposing to make Washington, D.C., a state, here is a better idea. In 1790, Congress created a perfectly square federal district straddling both the Potomac River’s Virginia and Maryland sides. In 1846, Congress ceded the Virginia side back to Virginia.
If the District’s status is to change, the better plan is to cede the remainder of the District back to Maryland. Why? First, 19 cities in the United States have larger populations than Washington, and none is a city-state. There is no reason for Washington to become the first.
State capitals in their states are not extra-county districts, but are integral parts of the counties where they repose. Many national capitals are part of the local governments where they reside. Ottawa comes to mind as a part of the province of Ontario.
And many American cities outside of Washington are hosts to foreign embassies, consulates and federal buildings. New York hosts the United Nations and the embassies of its members. Virginia houses the two airports that serve Washington, as well as the Pentagon.
A Washington, Maryland, could easily remain the nation’s capital, hosting the seat of government, the Lincoln Memorial, federal agencies and foreign embassies.
The residents of both the District and Maryland should embrace this proposal. Maryland would gain a seat in the House of Representatives and District residents would gain the franchise.
The status quo is better, but if change is a must, cede the District back to Maryland.
JIM BENNETT
Summit, N.J.
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