Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-10
SOLDlERSANDTHEE ELECTION
HOW THE BOYS OF THE 9TH INrAN.
TRY HEARD THE NEWS.
Interest Felt In the Battle of the Bal
lots in the Chinese
Capital.

Headquarters, 9th Infantry,
CAMP RILEY, Pekin, China.

Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
Headquarters, 9th Infantry,
CAMP RILEY. Pekin. China.
November s, 1900.
1t was the auietest election day the SOL
diers ever knew. Not sign of the ward or
precinct hustler, not polling place in
sight: no crowds gathered to holly argue
16 to 1 or Is to anything else. OF course
1t did not seem like election day at ALL
Then. besides, it was Wednesday Every
body knows that national elections in the
United States are held the first Tuesday af-
ter the first Monday in November: but here
the sun was shining on as fine first We'd
nesday in November as ever one cared to
see. Yet it was election day and lat home"
the workers were casting off large beads of
Precipitation in behalf of their favorite,
while here the soldier boy was doing his lit
tie turn on post, policing up to buck
for orderly a guardmount, or following
fatigue" cart around the grounds doing
penance for a little fun in the city or for
having failed to brush up his boots for
dress parade.
But the boys were interested in the great
battle of votes going on in the states. They
are Injured to other kinds Of battles. these
fine fellows of the gallant 9th, but they
have not forgotten that there is such a
thing as peace in this old world. even
have faced Spaniard. Filipino and China
man. and waded through mists of bullets
TO victory on many a stubborn field. No:
peace has not lost its charm for them. but
rather is 1t more dear than ever. How the
boys wished they were at home voting and
getting votes! For two years these fellows
have been constantly upon the firing line
and have served their country we'll
Wouldn't the War Department be doing
the proper thing to order them home for a
little rest, and to give them a chance to
see what the United States looks like?
Betting on the Election.
Again to the election. or course there
are all classes and conditions of men repre-
scented in the army. While 1t is just now a
republican army, it must not be inferred
that the democracy Is not well represented.
Oh. yes; the lads from Texas and Alabama
and ole Virginny' are democrats to the
core, and one almost see a Mason and
Dlxon's line running across the drill
grounds. But there is not a faint Of bitter
ness between those from the north and
army. and that army. whether here in
China or in any other tucked-away corner
of the earth, is an American army for the
defense of the flag and all it represents
Betting on the result ''at home" was fast
and most furious for several days before
this eventful and peculiar Wednesday,
IN bet you months pay 'gainst a pair
or iegg1n Ms, that McKinley'n carry Nebras-
If Bryan isn't elected" were choice samples
from the betting ring.
1t Is safe to say. however that little
money changed hands upon the result
You see, the paymaster hasn't been around
for two months. and when that very neces-
sary parsonage is not on deck the boys are
a little shy on CON-" as they say.
we Don't want no free silver in ours''
said a little fellow from Vermont for we
soldiers can see right here what dobe mon
ey is Dobe money Is the name the SOL
diers give all coin of silver standard ma
lions, and they have learned that an Amer
lean dollar is worth two of the others in
the philippines, China or Japan.
A joke and Real News.
Long before the election polls in the
United States were closed some truly cruel
wag of the regiment came along the line
shouting at the top OF his voice that BRYAN
was elected. He waved his hat and his
hands in an enthusiastic frenzy and said
he got his information from Headquarters
one or the first sergeants. a dyed-in-the-
wool believer in Bryan believed the story |
and he; too. went into ecstacies of hilarity. |
he hadn't thought OF the difference in time |
between Washington and Pekin until he |
had made himself the laughing stock of |
the entire regiment. Then he sulenly found |
his way back to the orderly room. 1t is
SAID that the cruel private is on enough |
fatigue details chopping wood etc, etc, |
to take up the remaining time of his en- |
The first news to arrive Of the elections |
was message to a newspaper correspon- |
dent here. 1t was from a most reliable |
source and simply said, Mckinley wins" |
The two words were soon set to bugle call |
music, and went the length and breadth of |
the camp. They were heard at mess call. |
at officers call, fatigue and tattoo. When |
taps was sounded the boys were not vet |
ready to be quiet. and the officer Of the |
day very much hoarsed his voice repeating |
the stern command. as he walked outside |
the rows Of Sibley tents: BE quiet, there, |
you men! Don't you know taps has gone!! |
Go to sleep there and talk election tomor-
rcw.!!" Then the lieutenant would walk
away whistlng to himself
-Four. four. four years more"
From the pitch of the whistle it would be
difficult to say whether he was pleased with
four years more of Mckinley or saddened
by the thought that Bryan would have to
wait another four years before he could
try again. Anyway, the 9th is satisfied, and
Is ready to march through Asia, taking
cities by the way. But it rather not In
the words of the small boy, it wants to go
home.
Never before in history were American
soldiers on foreign service during a presi-
al