The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-11-15
Things At The Capital,

W AsllNdION, NOV. II, loof.
Cleyeland's election means, to Govern
ment employees revolution, at least, in
Washington. To he, or not to be-turned
out of office. That is the question with
them. Whether it is better to trust to
the protection of civil service rules, or
prepare to resign after the ides of March.
The more hopeful talk about the DEM
ocratic party's pledges TO conservatism,
the necessity of making some show of
consistency, and say it cannot afford to
be rash. But others argue there will be
II great party behind Cleveland and his
Cabinet, when il is formed, who are hun
CRY for office. Their requests have not
been regarded for more than twenty
years. They will demand clearing out
of all the Government departments and
their demands cannot be ignored We
had just us well pack our trunks. Civil
service rules will not amount to anything
when the Democrats want our places.
Dependency is widespread and pro-
found, and so doleful are the countenan-
ccs of the returning otficeholders who
went to their various States to vote, that
the trains bringing them daily to the
city have been compared to funeral trains.
While other cities have probably ex-
hibited greater enthusiasm during the
campaign, none of them has had an in
terest equal to that of Washington in the
result. Here the life currents of society
and business flow from the executive de-
partments of the Government. The re-
ations of the tens of thousands of emf
plOyes of the Government to life and
business extend to every man, woman
and child in the District.
In the public schools the prospect of IL
Democratic administration coming into
power next March il matter of serious
apprehension. \ large proportion of the
pupils are the children of Government
officials. One was heard to say tearfullv,
"If Blaine had been elected my uncle
intended to send me to college next wear,
but now he will lose his place in the de-
partment, and can't 60" Il may get
bread to eat this winter" said another
"but of course | wont get butter on it
now" ~ expected to get Il new hat, but
guess now | will have to wear my old
one" and similar remarks were current.
OF course there will be many changes
here with the advent of Democratic
administration. Those in the prominent
offices and working politicians will be
displaced. But outside of official cir
Giles it is not thought that there will he
those sudden sweeping changes and mel
odramatic upheavals that persons nearly
interested would predict.
There has also been much comment as
to how business interests of the city
would be effected by the change. 1t il
conceded by those who are supposed to
know that temporary depression is inc
vitable, but the fact is recognized that
there will be Just as many office holders
under one President as under another,
and that they will draw the same sala-
RIGS which will be spent for the same
necessarics of life. The customers will
change but the the custom will be very
much the same Many families will re-
trench their expenses between now and
the fourth of March, and credits will be
given less literally, perhaps, but it is
thought matters will adjust themselves
quickly to the new outlook, and business
men do not anticipate any long lived
trouble from the change.
Congress which meets in two weeks
will not have to begin with the work of
organization, to which month of the
first term was devoted, but little legisla-
ton, will be attempted at this session.
Appropriation bills only on account of
the necessity will be passed. There will
be the excitement of the election count,
an immense accumulation of unfinished
business coming over from last summer.
Members coming fresh from the distract
ing circumstances of reelection or defeat
will find il difficult to settle down to real
work, and the usual rush of term pre-
ceding the Inauguration of new Presi-
dent may be expected, IL hurrying to get
off with the old and on with the new.