The National tribune., 1908-07-16
MONEY and MACHINERY.

MUlfLI AND MAVllllNEEI.
The Democracy soreiy Lacking foth.
Before the big Democrats had de-
parted Denver last week their chief
warcry was already the raising of the
wherewithal for the Presidential CAM
paign. Some close figuring was done
The prevailing estimates were that IL
it could raise the sum, the party
could spend for entiriy legitimate pur-
poses from s750.0O0 to $1,000. coo.
Probably the Democratic campaign
will cost much less than that. II will
have to. 1t is very unlikely that
that amount of money can be raised
by subscription. The Bryan CAM
paigns of 1896 and 1900 cost much
less, but. in spite of the declaration for
publicity of contributions. it is hoped
to do much better now.
One of the old and experienced party
managers. who has been a member of
the National Democratic Committee for
years. and is familiar. with what funds
can do, stated that $1.000.000 would
keep open the two necessary headquar-
ters-one in New York and one in Chi
cago-hire an adequate clerical force,
pay for the vast amount of printing.
which must be done in many languages,
distribute documents TO millions of
readers. meet expenses for telegraph
and telephone messages very large
item in modern campaigning since the
companies cut off franks-keep few
speakers on the road. and, finally. help
toward precinct organization work.
which becomes indispensable along in
-september, if the party IS to sound the
sentiment of voters and ascertain what
intelligent methods should be applied
toward converting doubters or winning
over recalcitrants.
A Nest Egg.
The Democrats have a small nest egg.
1t is about $50, 900. left over from Dem
ver's 100000 contribution to secure
the convention. An opinion prevails that
MIR. Bryan will make handsome con-
tribution on his own account. He is
far from being as rich as his political
enemies have been fond of picturing
aim. but he has made some money from
his lectures and has put by quite snug
sum ford rainy day. 1t is open to ques-
ton whether he could contribute as
much as 100000. but if the need
should become pressing some members
of the National Committee think he
might pay in good share of such a,
sum.
Mr.. Bryan has a number of well-to4
do friends who believe in him as the
Their confidence in him has not less
ened with his defeats. They believe
that his leadership is responsible for
many of the advances that Republicans
have made, not only in the Federal
Government at Washington. but in
number of States, notably in the West.
There is quite a coterie of these men,
few of whom reside in the East and
in New York City. Very probably they
will furnish a considerable number of
IS, 900 and $4,000 checks. and even
checks for larger sums toward the good
of the cause this year. A popular SUBJ
scription is inevitable, but, unless preyi-
Gus experiences are discounted, the to-
tai realized in this way will not be large.
Representative Sherman. the Fepubli-
can Vice Presidential nominee, realized
as much two years ago when he, as
Chairman of the Republican Congress
sional Committee, solicited dollar con-
tribution The enterprise was inaugu-
rated under the best of auspices; Presi-
dent Roosevelt was among the first to
send a dollar bill with a letter which
was widely published.
Low as the Democratic National eX-
chequer was in the two Bryan years of
1896 and 1900, some sources the party
had then will be dry now, because Of
the publicity feature. 1t was taken for
granted at Denver that the Ncontribu-
tons this year would be published. This
will undoubtedly be the case if the Re-
publicans publish their contributions, as
they have announced an intefitien 4 of
doing, although a lot of people will be
skeptical about that Republican an
nouncement. Very many men, who
have been constant contributors to pres
idential campaigns and without expecta-
ton of return. do not like to have their
names featured in print in any such
connection.
The Democracy Has No Organization.
The National Democracy has praoti-
cally no campaign organization; or ma
chine. This puts them at a very great
disadvantage with their Republican OPP
ponents from the very outset and en-
tails the expenditure of larger sums to
secure the same results. For political
experience has shown that volunteers
cannot be relied upon to do the best
precinct work. The Republicans long
ago began to employ paid workers. 1t
costs $50 precinct. at a conservative
figure. There are number of States
Bryan will try to carry this year where
the precincts are in excess of 900. and
where anything like reliable work in
taking polls and looking after other
necessary details will cost from $4,000
to 100000.
Of course. with the impoverished
condition of the Democratic treasury
the State organizations will be asked to
assist. However, very few of the North
ern States have efficient Democratic or
CARNATIONS. Minnesota. North Dakota,
Montana and Nevada have Democratic
Governors. and therefore number Of
State officials who would help out, but
there is no Democratic hope of carry
ing either Minnesota or North Dakota
for Bryan Montana and Nevada have
but six votes together in the electoral
college The Democrats carried Ohio
at the last State election and have some
thing of an organization. Indiana, too,
is in fairly good shape as far as con-
Quoting party work is concerned. In
Illinois, outside of Chicago, and in Wis
Kansas and other Mississippi
Valley Republican States where Bryan
must look for votes, the party is in a
condition.
AS much is true of the two or three
prospect at all of a contest between the
two presidential candidates. Tammany
Hall has a superb organization in New
York City. Every presidential year.
however, the Democrats have found
helpless in campaigns up
State. They could not trust Democratic
town and city committees. Hearst,
when candidate for Governor two
years ago. built up good organization
in that section, as he has in few other
Northern States. An alliance, which
Mr.. Bryan is now trying so hard to ef-
feet with him, would be doubly welcome
because these Hearst organizations
would be available for much work in
spying out conditions and reporting the