![“A Token Gesture to Departing Members ”](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/standard_Captial_Comment-01.jpg)
“A Token Gesture to Departing Members ”
Departing lawmakers must vacate their offices for their replacements. Photograph by Paul Morse
![“A Token Gesture to Departing Members ”](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/standard_Captial_Comment-04.jpg)
“A Token Gesture to Departing Members ”
A newly-empty office on Capitol Hill. Photograph by Paul Morse
![“A Token Gesture to Departing Members ”](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/standard_Captial_Comment-05.jpg)
“A Token Gesture to Departing Members ”
Seals are stripped off office doors. Photograph by Paul Morse
![“A Token Gesture to Departing Members ”](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/standard_Captial_Comment-12.jpg)
“A Token Gesture to Departing Members ”
Office halls fill up with furniture. Photograph by Paul Morse
![“A Token Gesture to Departing Members ”](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/standard_Captial_Comment-13.jpg)
“A Token Gesture to Departing Members ”
Furniture outside offices being cleaned prior to their hand-over. Photograph by Paul Morse
![“A Token Gesture to Departing Members ”](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/standard_Captial_Comment-15.jpg)
“A Token Gesture to Departing Members ”
The transition process isn’t always neat. Photograph by Paul Morse
![“A Token Gesture to Departing Members ”](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/standard_Captial_Comment-16.jpg)
“A Token Gesture to Departing Members ”
Lawmakers accumulate years of files. Photograph by Paul Morse
![“A Token Gesture to Departing Members ”](https://www.washingtonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/standard_Captial_Comment-21.jpg)
“A Token Gesture to Departing Members ”
Moving offices can be a big job, especially on short notice after a loss. Photograph by Paul Morse