Rock Island Argus., 1900-11-06
THE COST OF CAMPAIGNS.

Several million dollars will be spent
this year to elect a president. Just
how many millions nobody knows ex-
cept the mensin charge and they are
cautious about telling. 1t is probable
that the popular notions on the SUBJ
ject are exaggerated.
-Four years ago the estimates of the
money gathered by Chairman Hanna
alone ran as high as $20. 900.
A writer in the Worlds Work has
gathered some interesting figures of
the amounts spent in the campaigns
since that of 1860. The expenses of
the national convention that nomi-
mated Lincoln, including the cost of
headquarters, music and fares of del
egates. were only 500, and four years
later 800, 900 covered all the election
expenses of the republican party.
Samuel j. Tilden was the first political
leader to introduce business methods
into the canvass. He decided that
too much reliance had been put on
enthusiasm, and so he planned sys-
tematic canvass which brought the
committee into contact with every
doubtful voter. This was costly, and
in 1875 it is estimated that the cam
paign managers spent $8O0,000
From that time the amount in
creased steadily. A million and a
half was spent on the Blaine-Cleve-
land canvass, about $500, 900 more
four years later, and two millions in
1892. Marshall Jewell, Chester A.
Arthur and Levi P. Morton had the
reputation of first-class beggars, but
Mr.. Hanna probably holds the palm.
Mr.. Morton was credited with collect
ing $500, 900 within twenty-four hours.
He prepared list of wealthy men and
put opposite the name of each the
sum he ought to give, and the amount
was usually handed over.
Among the heavy contributors to
campaign funds have been w. c.
Whitney, w. L. Scott, o. H. Payne,
and A. S. Hewitt. each of whom is
believed to have given 500, 900
towards the election of Mr.. Cleveland
in 1884. Mr.. Blaine himself is credit
ed with contributing $25, ZOO and
later advancing $780, 600, to be repaid
after election, but which he never re-
ceived. His committee chairman, b.
+. Jones. the steel manufac turer. is
supposed to have made good a deficit
of $115, 600 at the close of the cam
paign.
In 1888, while ". c. Whitney, C. c.
Baldwin and Z. e. Benedict were lib
eral democratic contributors, W. l..
Scott is said to have made the banner
gift of a quarter million dollars. Sen
ator Brice. chairman of the national
committee, paid about 5000, 900 from
his own pocket to settle outstanding
bills. Four days before the election
Senator Quay, who was in charge for
the republicans, appealed to Thomas
c. Platt for 5000, 900. The New York
boss protested, but finally discounted
a note for that amount, indorsed by
Coils P. Huntington. The largest
contributor to the republican fund
four years ago was William X. Van
derbilt. who voluntarily sent his check
for $3.50, 900 late in the canvass.
With the introduction of the secret
ballot system opportunities for bri-
berry have been curtailed. Since 1888
there has been no such open scandal
as when the republican managers sent
$500, 900 into Indiana within a few
DAYS of the election. The legitimate
expenses of the canvass are heavy.
Expensive headquarters are main
tained and enormous sums are spent
for literature and speakers. The poll
ing of doubtful states is a costly busi-
ness, too. 1t is said that such poll
of Iowa in 1896 cost 100000. There |
are parades and spectacular demon
strations to be figured on besides.
The expenditure of such large sums |
on a political canvass is unfortunate,
to say the least. The possession of |
the funds is in itself a temptation to |
use them for corrupting voters. The |
money is withdrawn from profitable |
and, while it is soon put |
in circulation again, it is paid out for |
labor that produces no lasting ma
terial benefit to the community. Fur
thermore, the party is under heavy
obligations to the large contributors,
who are in a position to dictate its
legislation in many lines.
One of the hea West handicaps to
the republican party at present is the
fact that large numbers of people feel
that its political obligations will not
permit it to deal justly with organ
lied wealth.