The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-11-10
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.

BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.
Washington. Nov. lo- Special. -
Taking a long breath after the election
the national capitul Is now getting
ready for the return OF the C..icials.
and upon their arrival will settle down
to the regular business of managing
the affairs of the country.
Ever since congress adjourned Wash
ington has been somewhat neglected
As the seat of government II has held
a share of attention. but the big things
have been going OH all around us. and
we have been rather out Of Il. Even
the renewal of u boat troubles and the
old, old Mexican difficulties (when they
became OF real Importance were rams
ferred 10 Shadow Lawn and not han
died here except I'm a clerical way.
Not In Big Politics.
Although Washington In n poiitica
center most OF the year there Is one
time when 1t Is removed from the pc
litical map. That Ii when the most
important political event OF the nation
is being pulled off. the quadrennial
election OF a president. During all the
p~reliminaries and while the tiddles
are tuning up Washington is right IN
the political swim; II is a real political
center. But when the performance be
gins In earnest, when the bands begin
to play, the ringmasters crack their
whips and the elephant and the don
key begin TO perform all the tricks OF
the game. the national capital becomes
a way station. New York and Chicago
are headquarters, and AS the whole
country gets on fire the District of Co.
lumbia for the time being sinks int
political insignifcance.
Again In the Limelieht.
When the election IL over. the votes
east and counted. when the shouting
and tumult die" and all the explanations
of defeat have been made, then Wash
ington comes into her own. BY the
way, the mention OF explanations re
minds me that IN OF my favorite an
thors one remarked that 1.-THE worlo
had no time for explanations or for tn,
man who had to explain" And what
good IL there In trying to explain q
political defeat? IL simply Is plain that
the majority preferred the other fel
low.
Back on the Job.
Everybody is or will be back on the
fnh within A xynr4 uhart tftnn Erar
the White House begins 10 show signs
OF returning life. Ever since the pres
ident went away the White House ha,
been like a deserted castle. The tim,
was that the executive force remained
here when the president went ava.
for the summer. but that has ali beef
changed since Roosevelt succeeded
Mckinley. When the president moves
the White House force, equipment ant
machinery. even down to the files. ~
with him.
Those who observed the working o.
the White House affairs last summe
wondered II all the business could no
have been transacted In Washington
as well AS on the Jersey coast. The
president was ut Shadow Lawn, L0ni
Branch. and the executive offices a
Asbury Park. six miles away. TIL,
president did not visit the e~xecutfv,
Offices. There was frequent telephone
communication, 1t Is true. but sucl
communications could have been car
ried on between Long Branch ant
Washington. However, the working
White House forces. like the othe
officials. will 0 be transacting thei
business In the national capital.
Officials Coming Back.
Among those who have been ava.
are the higher officials Of the govern
ment. No one can deny the loyalty o
the Wilson officials. With the excel
ton OF Secretary Lansing every cab
net member was out on the stump. s
also were the assistants, bureau chief
and all higher officials In the govern
ment. Not only did they contribute
their money. but they have spent thei
time I'm the effort to secure the election
Of their chief. Once, yes twice. Pres'
dent Cleveland demanded that his al
pointees should show no ~.'perniciou
activity" in elections. We did not hea
anything about that during the recen
campaign. In fact, for several week
Washington has had only enough higll
er officers to sign the Official mail. BIN
they are ccming back.
Should BE Held Earlier.
1t was d great mistake to provid
for elections In November. All durin
the campaign | have heard politician
declare. If the election were held (,