The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-04


 wish to see political campaign conduct century ago should go to Mississippi, where the state just now is all ablaze in contest for every office from gover- nor and senator down to constable. There is more politics to the square inch in Mississippi than in any other three states in the union, and the salaries range lower there than elsewhere, the highest being $4OOO year.
 The political activity is due to several facts. There are no party politics, the republican and popullst parties being completely eliminated. Then the political system adopted there by abolishing con- ventions, has relegated all power to the people and established the purest form of democracy in the country.
 All votes are equal in political power. and every voter therefore must be seen. argued with and canvassed. This has nec- essitated the adoption of the old system of stumping the house-to-house canvass.
 Each candidate for state office must visit all of the seventy-fve counties of the state and make a stump speech there, and if he can make several speeches to county so much the better. The local candidates are expected to visit the house of each voter and present their views, policies and purposes.
 It might seem that this would involve a heavy expense for the candidates, and would be very hard on those who are of stumping and house-to-house canvass.
 Senator Noel who is the author of the primary election law, when has brought about this condition of affairs says that the expenses of a candidate are lower In Mississippi than In any other state in the union. He himself is making the race for governor, and he estimates the expenses of a candidate for state orrice such as governor at not over $90O-
 As a matter of fact, there are no ex- penses for the candidate as in other states, for conventions, halls, etc., and if a big meeting is held with a general debate--or talkfest, as it Is called in Mississlppi-the expenses are paid by the town where it is held. Towns are only too glad to have these meetings as they bring in people from all the surrounding country.
 Even if the candidates were not agreed not to employ brass bands, marching clubs, torch-light processions etc., public sentiment in Mississippi would not tol- crate them. We would regard them as something improper and politically illegi- innate The candidate must run on his own merits, without any campaign or steering committees. without any arti- ficial stimulus to confuse the ideas or preferences of the voter
 For the canvass all that Is needed is a horse. The candidate is not expected to spend a cent, and eontemplates placing on the voter the obligation of receiving and entertaining all candidates while they are engaged in the canvass. In- deed in most of the homes of Missis- sippi, the visit of the candidate Is look ed forward to with almost as much pleas- ure as that of the circuit rider, and as putting the farmer and his family into closer communication with the great world.
 It is true that this year some outcry has been raised against the entertain ment of the candidates and their horses, on the ground of the high price of corn. In several counties the farmers have given notice that while they are prepared to set out their best yellow-legged chick ems and their finest corn cakes for the entertainment of all political visitors, they must draw the line on horses, as they have very little corn on hand for their own stock and will have to pnr- chase. Candidates have been asked to hoof 1t or to pay quarter Tor the corn and oats their horses cav.
 In Marion county. the local candidates have announced that in order to save the farmers the expense of their and their horses entertainment they will forego a canvass and leave the whole matter to the voters without depa,e; but It Is doubtful If this proposition meets with as much applause as expected. Country life in Mississippi is dull. and circus or candidate is welcomed as livening 1t up little.
 There are two United States senators to be elected. Senator A. J. McLarrin is