Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-31

tional Committee. He was furnished
vouchers and he was repeatedly in at
tendance at the committee for the purpose
of making their inspection. This, however,
was unusual, and may or may not be re-
peated according to the requirements of the
situation. 1t is always, therefore, con-
sidered of the first importance to both par
ties to select ChaIrmen whose reputation is
national and in whose integrity financial
men will have absolute confidence. This
is one of the reasons why it has been so often
considered best to have rich men at the
head of the committees-men whose fortunes
are large enough to place them above all
suspicion of yielding to financial tempta-
tion.
When Marshall Jewell was Chairman Of
the National Republican Committee his
splendid business reputation throue ehout
New England made it possible for the COM
mttee to raise nearly all the money it
wanted in that one region alone. A mem-
Der of the committee of that period told me
that he raised in Boston iu one day in
checks payable to the personal order of
Marshall Jewell $4,000. These disburse-
ments are guarded on both sides by the
principles which govern the best business
management If such precaution were not
taken there would be great difficulty in OBJ
tanning subscriptions. Rich Democrats and
Republicans are nearly always willing to
/ contribute during q Presidential campaign.
| But they wish to be sure that the money is
/ to be expended for party and not personal
| purposes.
| How johnnie Davenport Spent $4,000.
The item of personal expenses around q
national committee is always large. No
| political agent ever walks during a CAM
| paign. Every worker who represents his
party at this time rides in carriage as if it
were his first and last opportunity of e1er-
cising such privilege. The item of car
riage hire is always a large one. On elec-
ton days this amounts to extraordinary pro-
portions. The Republicans had special
fund for the employment of Mr.. John Dav-
export for the purpose of inspecting elec-
tions Mr. Davenport's special election
bureau disbursed in the last campaign, ac-
cording to his own testimony, $120, 900.
This service is considered valuable from a
party standpoint, for it has been continued
for number of years and will probably be
continued in the future. Mr. Davenport
has no other visible occupation.
Of course, in the disbursement of these
large sums of money, and all upon honor,
some of it may not reach the channels for
which it was intended. But business men
generally have ways of finding out whether
they are being correctly served or not,
and in the main there are no personal
scandals connected with the disbursements
of either of the committees. Probably no
private business organization in the country
could do better with so large an amount of
money distributed through so many hands.
Or course, there is great difficulty in super
vising these disbursements, but the interests
of both parties demand the employment of
the best men in the various communities.
Both parties watch each other too closely
60 oh af bair
A Very Hard Berth to Fill.
The chairman of each committee declares
as general thing the policy of the cam
paign. Back of him is always the candi-
date, who is the real chieftain. Every
matter of supreme Importance is submitted
to him before action is taken. The post of
director of these political organizations is
not desirable one. He is the ostensible
head and front of the political forces of his
side. He has to bear the brunt of nearly
all the criticisms and possible scandals of
local management.
The day of the campaign orator is passing.
1t is felt, particularly this year, that the
issues are business ones, and that sentimen-
tai ones win not be considered. The side
that gives the best business reasons for sue
ceeding will capture the country. Manu-
atturers will contribute freely to the cam
paign funds to preserve the principle of
protection, and the wealthy importers of
New York will contribute with equal free
dom to the other side in the interests of free
trade.
What is the compensation for Chairman
of National Committee? He cannot re-
ceire any pay for his services. He is
obliged to entirely give up his time for at
least six months. He lives in the midst of
confusion and riot. The bulk of his work
hao, = in he rbnp
people are anxious to avoid extra exertion,
and from then on until the close of the
campaign he has hardly moment he can
call his own. 1t is upon him that rests the
burden of raising money necessary for the
conduct of the campaign. People look to
him to heal all party differences, to smooth |
down the rutfied feathers of disturbed per-
sonal vanities. |
Selr-Interest at the Bottom of 1t. |
In this country the civil service people |
demand that practical politicians shall not |
have too much to do with the management |
of the party. In England the political cam
paigns are nearly always conducted by Off |
cials. I mention this only because it is sup |
posed to be the ideal land of the civil ser
vice reformer. There is no campaign con- |
Quoted in England that is not supervised |
and controlled by the parties directly inter-
ested. There are very few people in this
country who have the leisure or the means
which will enable them to devote their time
and attention to the cause of politics for no !
reward exce9 the qualification of personal
ambition.
Such ambition NAV be stimulated by a
patriotism. But as the world
goes politics is managed, and always will be
managed, by the people who have direct |
interest. And without it campaigns in this
country could not be conducted 1t is reas.
enable to suppose that every Republican
and every Democrat who contributes dol
lar to a campaign fund does so for the pur-
pose of Strengthening his political standing
In the community where he lives.
Must Have Ready Supply of Cash.
The chairmen must have good private
bank accounts. Often there is no money in
the treasury on account of failures to collect
or apathy upon the part of men who ordin-
ari]y contribute. These contributions at
best are spasmodic, and often are made in
bulk only toward the latter part of the
Chairmen have sometimes ad-
vanced upward of 100000 and S40O, 900
either from their own resources or through
pledges given by them. Often there is
deficiency in the account at the close of the
for expenses incurred at the last
moment and which were beyond the control
of the auditing officers of the committees.
1t is said upon good authority that b. F.
Jones had to make up over 500, 600 at the
close of the Blaine campaign. He was un-
able to make any collections after the cam
paign was over and had to bear the loss.
Chairman Brice, who conducted Mr..
Cleveland's last campaign, had a much
larger deficiency than this to make up.
This deficiency was between $500, 900 and
$500, 900. 1t is said that Mr.. Brice paid this