The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-09-17
A COSTLY GAME
FOR CANDIDATES
They Have to Pay Dear for Privi-
lege of Making
Speeches.
POLITICAL CLUBS
REAP RICH HARVEST
Organizations Charge Would-Bes
So to Sand It's PUT
&jg Up or Shut Up"

Political clubs in Minneapolis this j,
Campaign clubs in days gone by We're
organized to wark for political candi-
dates; now many of them appear to be
formed for "Working' political can
didates. Candidates in every campaign
are subjected to numerous "ho!d-ups, "
but never before has such still game
of ''put up or shut up' been imposed
upon them by political organizations I'M
der whose auspices meetings OF voters
are held.
Many political clubs in the city have
adopted the plan Of, forcing each can
tlitlate to first pay from So to So into
the club treasury before he is permitted
to say a woro, The candidate, who does
EARLY in August this new form OF
hold-up originated. Candidates were
notified at q meeting Of new club that
the organization was considerably In
debt. and that contributions would be
appreciated. The treasurer had, table
at the side Of the speakers platform,
where every speaker had to pass, and
where he left his fee. So well did this
scheme work, that other clubs tried 1t.
1t then became the thing TO c ca fS.
that candidates who have not first paid
in the money demanded, are not recog-
nized.
''What Is the Price?'
"The first thing we candidates ask
upon entering place Of political meet
ing said one of the unfortunates to
r Q J ourn a today, "ls not when sl
WHAT'S the price at this place?' And
if the price is too stiff and the crowd
small as q rule, for one, Withdraw
from the meeting.'
This bleeding Of the "would-be, -
was done "on the side,,,' at hrst' but IS
Cd in A
recent meeting in K. P. hall, First ave-
nue. Sc and Fifth street, James S. Lane,
O. candidate for alderman, had ascented
the platform to speak, but it was then
found he had not paid fee, and ne
was made to take So out OF ms p39c est
of him before he could address inc
At a meeting held recently, in the
second ward, at Oak street and WASH
ington avenue, most Of the candldates
Maid their fees ($2 each) to the. treas
Hrer of the Second Ward club in the
form of checks, and now haeV these
checks as proof. -----.
At House Meetings, Too.
Not only is this game pIaye don can
didates at the regular poltlcal rallies,
nODularity of many house meetings..
Some man will announce house meet,
inc for candidates at his home, and
when the candidates arrive the WoI9
will be passed to each that It wouda
So or SIS each "to aid in cleaning up
and putting the house in order' the
following day. a -,
"U'' Republican club, last evening, the the
game was played WITHOUT VII any E;5 1atn
and each candidate was gwen e re-
ceipts for his money, signed by u. H.
Bowe, treasurer of the club.
Thus it is seen that the operation OF
political clubs, where u htteen 20 tme wen q
NIGHT. is q profitable thing. And thus
It Is also seen what each candidate has
to 90 up against when he makes a dozer
or more meetings an. evening; 3.
"A fortieth legislative d1 lTo c iaon
candidates are being charged fees at 20
litical meetings in excess of what shoult
be charged to cover expenses. B4t 3,
far, 7 have avoided these gatheer a,1s 5
and and prefer to do house to mouse
"01A' Speakers Solicited.
A. M, Geesaman, manger of the D: P
Tones ~ campaign, says NJ. Jones ha
mo fee meetings, and holding man!
gatherings in halls hired by, hlmsel
with the whole time ana dill IHe Spoe'h
ers devoted to his interests.
cat the meeting Of the 9n1verslt
club last evening"" said Mr.. GeesamaIL
UMr. Jones was about to 20 to the plat
form to speak, when some one told I; m
that he would have to pay 81 for tn
privilege. I told them that If this wa
do so;, and I gave them So myself:
.tives to come to, my office and soll H
the attendance of Mr.. Jones at certal
meetings incidentally mentioning
necessary fee per man Of 81 or So t
speak. 7 don't say this to Knock, tn
management Of these meetings have tn
privilege to ask fee If they desire.
Calls System Unfair.
@. A. Nimocks, candidate. for cor
troller, in response to a question, sal
this morning that at a number of place
he has been charged fees for speaking
sfIt's the understood thing that cal
didates each pay a fee for speaking E
political meetings. he asserted, ~ l
It seems to me it isn't right, and
would like to see the system done ava
with as being unfair.
"Well, they haven't feeced me
any of the meetings. said W. IL. Wi
liams, democratic candidate for, co:
j gress, when approached on the subjec
T'They don't do that at democrat
meetings; and then, too, they know
haven't any money for such contrib
7 lions. But,' continued Williams, ge
/ ting more confidential, 81 have know
/ them to play the game on some Of m
{ associate candidates.