Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-28
GOING HOME TO VOTE
Only About Half the Usual
Number.
RAILROAD ESTIMATES
EFFECT OF THE PRESIDENTS
RECENT RULING.
congressman Are Wrathy Because
Constituents Will Not Help
Them at the Polls.
RAILROAD ESTIMATES

In relieving government clerks from any
political responsibility President Roosevelt
will cut the vote from the District of Co.
| lumbia exactly in half on election day.
This is the estimate of the railroad COM
panfes which furnish transport alton at half
rates for voters. and In these estimates the
railroad officials are very positive that the
reason for the apathy on the part of en-
ployes Of the government is the assurance
they have had direct from the President
that they will not be held responsible for
any political conditions which may obtain.
| On presidential elections the usual number
of voters to leave the District of Columbia
is 10000 At congressional elections this
number is reduced to 5000. Up to the pres
ent time but 200 half rate certificates have
been issued to voters who wish to b. In their
| respective homes next Tuesday and the
| most liberal estimate by the officers of the
roads. after a careful canvass is that but
1,S00 more will CO.
Wrathy Congressman.
Not only are the employees of the govern
ment who are protected by the civil service
law refusing to go home to vote, but they
have politely but firmly declined to
| spond In a substantial way to appeals from
their home districts for financial aid. AS
result of this condition there many
wrathy congressman, who are just now on
the anxious seat for their own political ex-
istence. They declare unhesitatngly that
they are being done by the men whom
they placed in secure political offices. In
doing their missionary work for places at
the government crib these congressman in
every instance gave the places they were
able to secure to the men in their districts
who were of most use to them politically.
And now to be turned down hard, just at a
time when help is needed most, Is they
declare. most disheartening.
Under the order of the President. nothing
can be done to break this apathy. 1T
seems as II the civil service law has been
framed and hung over the desk Of every
government employee as the only political
platform on which he is to stand said
member of Congress In giving vent to his
feelings of disgust on this subject today.
This civil service business Is mixing
practical politics and theoretical conditions
together in way which Is decidedly intol-
cradle. We hand over our best men to gov
eminent jobs, heretofore with the belief
that we were preserving their usefulness
and securing their lasting influence In the
welfare of the party But, under the condi-
ton which is just now becoming apparent.
we might just as we'll have killed these
men politically, as to have put them in the
government service.
Effect Of Presidents Rule.
The effect of President Roosevet's ruling
as to civil service protection has been COM
municated to the managers of the cam
paign, and 1t is not unlikely that some eff
fort which will be entirely legitimate Will
be made to counteract this decided feeling
of Indifference on the part of the govern
| ment clerks. In many cases, 1t is stated
that not only will votes be lost which are
most important and necessary through the
failure Of the clerks to go home. but the
knowledge of their intended absence VIII
cause an indifference on the part of their
friends at home which VIII be doubiy dis
astrous. --,-z-
the half rate tickets may be secured by
government clerks. Certificates emitting
holders to the half rate may be secured in
twenty-eight branches Of the government
service. In most cases these certincates
have been placed In charge Of the CHIEF
clerk, disbursing officer or head of diyi-
sion. -
Some criticism has been made by the
democrats that in every instance. with the
exception of one. the officer in charge of
giving out these half rate certificates is
republican in politics.. Democrats who wish
to go home to vote, however, and who DO
not want to advertise that fact with the
chief of their department. may apply at
the headquarters of the democratic con-
gressional committee for half-rate certif1-
Gates. and so far quite a number of demo-
cratic voters have followed this procedure.
Liberal in Half-Rate Privilege.
The railroad company is most liberal in
the distribution of the half-rate privilege.
A man who may wish to go to his home to
vote who is not a government employee can
secure the same rate by making his identity
and purpose known properly to the railroad
officials. The families of clerks may also
secure the benefit of the half rate. Every
precaution, however, is being taken by the
railroads to prevent the half-rate certifi-
Gates from getting into the hands of ticket
brokers. and the handling of most Of the
business through the government depart
ments is precaution taken to this end.
That the apathy now so clearly apparent
on the part of the government employees
may be broken before next Tuesday, il is
not unlikely that an appeal will be made 10
the clerks not to neglect the exercise Of
their right of the elective franchise. This
appeal may be devoid of partisanship, but
its purpose, and the result it is intended TO