The Portland daily press., 1892-08-05
ECoPYRIGHT. 1927

[coPYRIGHr. 1927
How much money does it take to run
q presidential campaign? This is a
question that have often heard asked
but never satisfactorily answered. In
every campaign there are always stories
circulated ON both sides concerning the
use Of money. These are nearly always
colored by partisanship, and are invaria-
bly, exaggerated.
have been through three or four
presidential campaigns, and in those
campaigns have learned enough TO make
just estimate concerning the amount
Of money employed on both sides. In
one or two instances the figures that
give are practically official In 1880 the
national committee of the republican
party received in the way of subscrip-
lions some s450,00Q This money was
disbursed through the craftsmanship of
Marshall Jewel, the former postmaster
general of Gen. Grant. In the CAM
paign of 1884 some $500, 1000 was raised.
B. F. Jones, Of Pittsburgh, was the
chairman Of the committee that col
lected the money and spent It. In 1883
Senator Quay had the disbursement of
some s6oo, 200. This was the largest
sum ever raised and spent by national
committee.
In each one of the years above named
the democrats had about the same
amount Of money. In 1880 and 1884
they had an equal amount. 1t can be
said generally in every presidential
campaign that the democrats raise as
much money as the republicans. In the
year 1888 they hadperhaps 500. 900 less.
The two committees disbursed in the
last campaign over million and half
of dollars. Some Of the democratic
subscriptions came from individuals
rather than organizations. One demo
cratic leader, very rich man, told me
personally that he contributed to the
campaign fund in 1885 the sum of
$3.50, 900.
It is said by those who are experienced
In such matters that it is always easier
to raise money for the party which is
out than for the party which is in.
This may account for the deficiency in
the democratic treasury in 1883.
For what purposes are these vast sums
employed? may properly be asked. I
have never seen any evidence or heard
any responsible person directly
charge that the chairman of
the national committee of either party
ever authorized the use of this money
for the purpose of purchasing votes. I
know it has often been charged in par
tisan speeches and in the heat of the
campaign, but have never seen any
one who possessed reliable information
who was willing to affirm the correct
ness of such charges.
Something of an idea Of where the
money goes can be obtained by running
over the disbursements of the repub-
ican national committee in 1888. In
this year $100, 900 was spent in directing
documents and circulating them. An
other $1oo, 900 was spent on speakers
and their expenses. In the direction of
congressional contests 100000 more
was disbursed. Wherever a congress
sional district was close money would
be sent to therepublican candidate to be
used for legitimate campaign purposes.
These campaign expenses comprise the
hiring of bands, the furnishing Of
uniforms to societies, the paying of the
cost of parades, and other things Of
a like character. Some SCOT, 1000 more
was disbursed in the close states like
New Jersey, Indiana, Connecticut and
New York. About $500, 900 was spent
81 %ba v,a4io,,,l hoo d,,,or%x,v-es fr,. n, o;,,
tanning that Office in frst-class style
and defraying the cost of the campaign
in the city of New York. A great many
of the parades and professions in New
York are arranged and prepared by
the two national committees. 1t is an
element in the campaign which really
counts for very little. Of course as an
evidence of enthusiasm and interest
such parades have no value unless they
are the result of spontaneous feeling
of interest among party followers. Such
parades, however, cost money, and
where the enthusiasm is not sufficient
to raise all the money required the ma
tional committee generally comes to
the rescue.
Both national committees know near
~ to penny the amount that the other
has. They keep such a close watch on
each ,other's movements and there are
so many small chatterboxes employed
around the committees that it is not at
all difficult for the chairmen to find out
what the opposition is doing. Indeed,
half the energies of the employees Of the
committees appear to be devoted to Cos
sip and talk. The ideal chairman never
talks and is never interviewed in the
newspapers. He neither discloses his
hopes nor his fears. In this respect
Senator Quay was a model chairman.
He kept his plans to himself and let the
lesser lights of the committee to the
talking.
There is a great deal of work done in
every campaign by national commit
tee which is of a routine character and
has no perceptible effect. There is
tradition around every political head
quarters which favors the circulation
of documents. This circulation is slim
ulated by the demands of local speak
ers. Undoubtedly these documents
have a decided value in furnishing