Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-12
Effect Of a Victory for The
Democratic PODlGstE
COINAGE and Civil
Service Views.

or late years Washington people have
been Pickwiekan politicians. Interest In
pc cities here has always been great, but
since the civil service law relieved govern
ment clerks of the dread of wholesale
disElissals result OF a change OF adj
m nistrat.on this interest has been largely
independent of personal considerations.
This year the situation is different. The
conflict has come closer home The bust
ness men of Washington feel that their
personal interests ard the general welfare
of the city are involved in the struggle.
II cannot be remembered when political is
sus were discussed here with the earnest
ness and universally that they now are.
In the street cars. on the corners. in hotels,
restaurants. around the lunch table. across
the counters in business houses. over the
paying teller's desk in banks. In real estate
offices and everywhere that two three
ere gathered together the money question
Is being discussed The laborer on the
street and the bank president alike indi-
cate their realiza ton of a personal interest
in the result.
Business men of small as well of large
capital. whose welfare depends upon the
general growth and prosperity, are IL poll
tics for the time being with an earnest
ness that IS rare.
Effect of Brynn's Election.
The opinion is almost universal among
This class of citizens that. irrespective of
the merits and dement's of the silver ques-
II in abstract discussion, the inter
oSts of the District of Columbia will be
best guarded by Conservatism. and that
the success of the Bryan ticket will Sc
riouSIy jeopariize LEGAL prosperity.
From the point of view Of enlightened
SslhshneSs it is argued that the people of
Washington should stand on the sile of
c"nse rvatisTn. 1t is argued that the rea-
sons common to all business communities.
for the preservation CO a sound financial
system which will give confidence to cap
Ital. are u.agntted here. while the ''bene-
nts" that are claimed to attach to the free
coinag" of silver and the general cheaDen-
iry of m oney would be far from beneficial
10 the District of Columbia.
Talks reporters OF The Star have had
with business men in all lines and with
people in the departments disclose a gen.
eral apprehension that local prosperity
would be seriously retarded and the indi-
viual interests of majority of the cIti-
Gems OF the District would suffer II the
free silver. anti-civil service, poPulistic-
democratic policy should prevail.
Eh"PshS Souhu h0h<y SueceSSs
Practically the same line of argument is
heard from all quarters sustaining this idea.
and the business men generally are work
ing as earnestly for the cause of sound
money az IL the District possessed electoral
votes. II Is urged that, aside from the fact
that large a class of District citizens
draw salary wages. which would not be
proportionately increased II increased at
all. under the free silver policy. and who
would have to pay more for everything they
had TO buy. there are many other reasons
more or less associated with this why the
District would suffer from cheap money
and expensive necessaries of life. The out
side &C pitaI invested In the building I'D of
Washington is largely surplus capital free
from the demands of manufacturing enter
prises. which seeks profitable investment in
real estate or Is spent to build up beautiful
homes for the wealthy from all parts of the
country in the most attractive city of the
nation. where may be enjoyed the social. in
tellectuaf and political advantages of the
national capital. The general locking up
of capital and curtailing of expenses by peo-
pie of means would fall heavily at once ON
Washington II is argued that the success of
bryan would cause a strtngency in the
money market which would stop invest
ments and render 1t impossible to borrow
money for the building up Of the city. The
suburban improvements surrounding the
city would come to a standstill and invest
ments already made would bring no returns
How Wage Earners' Would Suffer,
lack Of business, II Is urged, would
check all enlargement of the business
plants. building operations would cease.
all business would be drawn down to the
minimum; the material men and their en-
pfoyes. the brtcklayers. the carpenters, the
masons. the timers, the plumbers, the
painters and workmen In all lines of bust
ness would consequently be thrown out of
employment Government clerks having
the purchasing power of their salaries re-
duced would have to curtail all their ex
pendtures, and the merchants would sur
fer col corresponding loss of trade. Clerks