The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1892-07-27
WHAT A CAMPAIGN COSTS.
Half Million Dollars Sman Figare-Eow
the Money 10 Spe4t-

Apart from the issue OF the pivotal
State, says New York correspondent
of the Baltimore Sun, the special reason
why New York Is always made the
National headquarters in presidential
campaign is the fact that it is the great
commercial and financial centre, and it
is easiest here to collect the large sums
OF money that it is the chief business OF
national committee to put into the
party's war chest. The committee must
drum up contributions from all friendly
sources. The party in power levies on
the oafeeholders and the protected in
dustries. The Democrats having no
resources have to rely on all friendly
sources. Sometimes wealthy men con-
tribute large amounts. Edward Cooper
and Abram s. Hewitt are said to have
given $100,0O each to the first Cleve-
land campaign. ...-.
The campaign Of the national COM
mittee is supposed to look mainly after
the finances. and on the campaign ex-
ecutive committee have been placed
men of means who, in anticipations,
can advance the necessary funds to
tide over the pinch Of a crisis. Some
times the party finds the canvas in their
debt. It is stated that the Republican
campaign committee owed Cornelius
N. Bliss go, 600 after they got through
in 1888. He must like the place, for he
is again the financial backerof the Har-
rison contingent. No public account.
ant is ever called on to audit the books
of q campaign committee, although the
sums they disburse are enormous.
Abram s. Hewitt, who had large ex-
perience in the business, said that an
economical national committee might
run campaign for $500, Geo. But they
are not alwsys economical.
Although the amount seems large the
usual expenses that have to be met
from the national headquarters show
how easy it is to run up into half 3
million. At the. headquarters itself
there must be 8 large force Of clerks
preparing and circulating documents
and all sorts Of campaign ammunition
that costs much money, even ifmoss Of
it afterwards proves only waste paper.
The famous Tilden 'tliterary bureau Of
1876 cost $250,00 But the expense wss
paid by Mr.. Tlden himseH, who started
it long before the national committee
was organized. A campaign book is
usually prepared, filed fun of facts and
to help out the orators ofthe party all
over the State. -. /.
The book of 1883 was compiled by
Mr.. George F, Parker, who has since
been one Of Mr.. Cleveland's ccnfidea-
tial assistants, and viii probably be
the secretary ofthe national executive
committee. He might be styled the
Dan Lamon Of the present emergency.
The one item Of campaign orators
eats a big hole In the resources.
Their travelling expenses must be
supplied as well as salaries. Some
of them get as high as 500 q night.
Many give their services free, but the
bulk of the s'spell binders" have to be
paid. Meetings are another big item.
The monster mass ratifcations" here
mean an outlay Of from $1,000 to, SlO,.
600 each, Torrent, speakers, music, deco
rations, printing, etc.
A parade cannot be done In good
shape for less than $500 3 district. and
there arc twenty-five OF these sections
in this city. Amodest estimate Of the
election expenses OF each district in
New York city for campaign is $10,.
600. This. has to be multiplied by
twenty-five TO cover the whole city, 4
and is exclusive of official expenditures.
An average campaign year in New
York calls for at least SEQ, ,oO0. Taking
these figures as q basis for the whole
country, probably So, o,0oe,0 900 will not
cover the expense Of finding out to
whom the people desire to entrust
the white house for the next four
years.