Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1884-11-08
BEFORE THE BATTLE.
Preparations for the Change st the
Capital. 3

cpeclel correspondence OF the 1NTkk-UOkAN.j iiA-gt
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1.-The day OF
preparation is over, the ege Of battle is
here and the unhappy denizens Of
Washington are awaiting the shock
with anxiety, not less intense than was
felt in Belglum's capital when the boom
of Bonaparte's cannon broke in upon
their revelry seventy years ago. The
smile willnot serve me further; indeed
I al afraid I have stretched it already,
for those who fear that the battle Of the
18th inst. may be fraught with hope or
despair to them are not, o have re.
Gently been, jewellers. They have lived
in q state of anxiety of varying intensity
since the presidential election four
years ago. Indeed anxiety is the nor
NAL state of q government clerk. The
poor wretch or wretchess holds a posi-
ton that is ever the battle field of
political parties. They have no indie
pendence, no trades union. They can
not strike, they lack that prerogative of
all the industrial guilds, not excepting
ever the hod carriers, who have been
on a strike in Washington pretty mum
all summer.
Civil service laws have been enacted
for the protection of the vast army of
government employees, but they have
little faith in this enacted law, and great
fear of what may be called the common
law of American politics, ITO the victor
belongs the spoils."
Twill not venture = prediction as to
what the result of the election may be;
indeed it seems almost out of place to
be writing a Washington letter in this
crisis, for, although the result of the
election will be felt here more than
elsewhere, there will be no poll in the
District. The capital of the United
States is disfranchised. But though
there will be no voting here, Thousands
Of the citizens of Washington have gone
home to vote in the states where they
formerly lived, and where they, in some
way, still claim political residence. The
streets and all the government Offices
have q thinned out appearance and
both public and private business is at a
standstill.
After the election there will be a
change. The city will rapidly fill up.
Congress and its encourage of fashion
able people, lobbyists, cranks and
Journalists will fill the aristocratic flats
and hotels of the West End, as we'll as
the cheap hash houses and rookeries at
the other end.
In any event the coming winter will
be full of excitement for those who
take an interest in the res gestae, great
and small, of the seat of national gov
eminent. A new president will occupy
the White House at the winters close,
and a new president means a new cab
met and q general adjustment to q new
order of things. But, if perchance the
new president should be a Democrat,
the interest and excitement will be null
tiplied and intensified. It will be what
in Europe would be called a change Of
dynasty, a revolution.
Very few of the merchants of Wash.
ington have ordered a full supply Of
winters goods; they are waiting for the
verdict of Tuesday. If it should be
Cleveland there will be q rearrange-
ment of all business with a view to re.
duce expenses, for it is expected that
government employees, upon whom the
trade of the city depends; will ut once
begin to economic and to save money
Many government clerks have houses
here which would be thrown upon the
market, but a few of them are we'll of
and IAN easily get along without their
official salary.
Political headquarters of both parties
in this city have been closed. There
are no statesmen left in the city today
and all the cabinet officers are away,
Secretary Teller of the interior depart
ment is in Colorado speaking for MI.
Blaine. Secretary Chandler is doing
his best for the ticket in New Hamp
shire. Secretary Lincoln is speaking in
Illinois, and Attorney General Brewste,
is helping in Pennsylvania. Ex-Secre
tary Gresham has lent his aid in differ
emit states, and Postmaster General Hat
ton, who does not speak, has assisted
ably with his pen.