Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-05
BEFORE THE BATTLE.
Washington on the Eve Of the Great
Contest.

Washington ON the Eve Of the Great
Contest.
DESERTED DEPARTMENT BUILDINGS -ooyraN-
HENT OFFICIALS WHO HAVE GONE HOME TO
voTE-THosE LEFT DISCUSSING THE srruA-
TIoN-How ELHCrIoN NEWS WILL BE RECEIVED
HERE, ETC.
There was q kind of Sabbath calm in the De.
partment buildings to-day. The patriotic
clerks have gone to their homes in such num-
bers to vote that their absence was very notice.
able. Those who remained occupied the
partially deserted rooms, and played the parts
Of chief, assistant chief, &C., to their hearts
content. There was an under current Of ex-
citement manifested in regard to the political
situation, and as not much work could be done
it was considered the proper thing to sit
around and talk politics. Under the present
arrangement, where there is a mixture of politi-
cal beliefs, discussion is apt to be moderate
and assume more or less conservative tone.
So the democratic brethern from the South
were not taunted about not going home to
vote because their vote was not needed, and
the republicans were not accused Sf being
afraid Of losing their places if they asserted the
prerogatives of citizens. Both Of these things
were sometimes insinuated, but no one was
impolite enough to come out bluntly. The
diplomatic polish of political intercourse in the
Departments excites the admiration Of the dis
enterested listener.
IN THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT
First Assistant Secretary Muldrow holds the
reins Of authority, and his assistants in charge
Of the various bureaus were, as a rule, acting
in the places Of the absent chiefs. Gen. JOS
E. Johnston, the railroad commissioner, is
here, and SO is Indian Commissioner Oberly.
The Commissioners of Patents, of Pensions, Of
Labor, Of the Land Office, Of Education, are
away-some at their homes to vote, and others
aiding in the canvass.
THE PosT-OFFICE DEPARTMENT
is left in the care of the Second Assistant, Mr..
Knott, who votes in Baltimore, and can deposit
his ballot tomorrow morning and spend the
rest of the day at his desk. The Third Assist
ant, Mr.. Harris, is also here; but he votes in
Georgia, and there is no indication that demo-
cratic votes will be needed in that state. The
other heads of bureaus, as well as the chief
clerks, are nearly all away from the city, and
yet as in the case lof the Interior Department,
the routine business goes on without the pres
ence Of those whose brain-power is supposed
to set in motion the vast machinery Of depart
ment activity.
DEPICTING THE TREAsURY-oF CLERKS.
At noon to-day there was not the usual rush
Of clerks from the Treasury Department for
the lunch rooms. A few struggled out to get a
snack, and during the lunch hour small groups
Of clerks stood on the curb discussing the polit-
ical prospects. There has been no general
swearing off of the habit Of masticating mince
have not stopped taking lunch. It is only that
they have nearly all gonehome to vote. There
is practically no work going on in the Depart
ment to-day. Nearly all the clerks and officials
have gone home to vote. Still more of those
who are here will leave on the afternoon trains
will get more votes by the exodus than will MIR.
Cleveland.
ATTITUDE OF THE REPUBLICAN CLUBS.
At first there was q general indisposition
among the clubs to vote at all, but recently
many Of them have received intimstions that
it would be better for them to do 80. II they
felt perfectly sure that Mr.. Cleveland would be
reelected most of the republican clerks would
remain at their desks on election day. But
they do not consider that there is any certainty
as to the result, and if General Harrison should
be elected they do not want it to appear that
they have lost their love Of the old party. The
republican state committees have their old list
of the republican clerks and there is a DISPOSE
ton to test their loyalty. A great many OF the
letters from the republican state committees
urging them to come home to vote as usual,
and giving them to understand that if Mr.. Har-
rison is elected, as the letters predict beyond
doubt he will be, any shirking Of their patriotic
duty would be
APT TO BE REMEMBERRD.
Under this pressure, it is said, many have
gone home who did not intend to.
There has, however, not been any especial at
tempt ON the part Of the republicans to hide the
the fact that they intend voting for Har-
have n1os, xHosv
intention quite loudly, others have
simply spoken on the subject when
there was suitable occasion for them to declare
their attitude. 1t is likely, however, that of
those clerks who remain, few are democrats.
The democratic clubs in this city have seen to
80 as possible, was got home. The democratic
officials who have not already gone actively into
the campaign, will, with very few exceptions,
manage to get home to vote.
THE CITY UNUSUALLY QUIET.
For the eve Of national election it has
been unusually quiet in Washington to-day.
There has been, Of COURSE great deal Of polit-
ical talk, but the excitement that has existed in
the past just prior to presidential elections has
not been manifested As a matter Of fact the
city has been pretty well cleaned Of all the
voters and election workers. From the various
Departments the men who can contribute to
the political result have nearly all gone to
their respective homes.
THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
is nearly deserted, save for the female en-
ployes and men who live in states whose politi-
cal status is assured. A large force has gone
to New York, most of them to work for the
success of the democratic ticket.
REPORTED CALL FOB OHIO MEN.
A STAR reporter was informed to-day that
the chairman Of the republican state committee
Of Ohio telegraphed here last Saturday urging
that all republican voters Of that state in
Washington be hunted up and sent home
Ohio republicans deny this, saying that they
have voters enough in that state for the occs-
sion.
THE BETTING VERY LIGHT.
For the day before the election the betting is
very Light. Some small bets have been made,
but the odds still rule in favor of Cleveland
A STAR reporter to-day met Missouri demo-
crat, holder Of public position, who was Offer
ing to bet S25 or ESQ on Cleveland.
"Have you come down to these Ngures?' he
was asked "You have been offering big
money"
$50 have" he replied, "and am willing to