Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-30
DOUGH IN ILLINOIS PRIMARIES
One Million Dollars Blown In by 1900
Candidates FOR Party Nom
fnatfous.

Anybody who believes that he can run a
campaign under the new primary law Of
Illinois On nothing more tangible than air
had better focus his eyes on the bank aC-
counts q the 1900 candidates who ceased
running August s. After that he may re-
wise his Views as he sees ut.
The opening Of a barrel Of money liter
ally took PLACE in Illinois during the cam
ra'gn. What 10 more, this money was scat
tered Up and down the state by the various
candidates who found It necessary to get
out and make the acquaintance OF the rank
aid file Of the voters. many OF them for the
first time in their official lives.
At least 100000 was spent during the
campaign by the candidates on the four
political tickets, according to estimates
made recently by leaders Of these parties.
Where ala st come from and where did
IL go?" asked many ~astonishcd politicians
who had contributed both to the big fund
and the expense Of running the campaign.
Just where It all came from probably no.
body knows. The printers who turned out
the tons Of 'llterature;" Uncle Sam. who
provided the stamps for this printed mat
ter; the railroads which whisked the can
didates about the state. and the providers
and movers of tents all got their share Of
49, 1870 ~ N9A REAAA6 Klh Eb AAGEAI o
n additional expense was attributed
largely to the elimination Of the bosses and
the political machines who in times past
made It their duty to place their candidates
before the people. Under the new law each
candidate found that his success or failure
rested solely upon his own shoulders. He
had to furnish his own literature, his own
staff Of publicity experts and supply his
own stamrs-not the least Of the expenses.
A respectable fortune was expended by
the seven candidates for governor and their
supporters.
II is estimated that the Yates campaign
cost the former governor about $4,000.
Other candidates for the chief office in ILL
nois are not supposed TO have spent so
much In fact. it is believed that some of
them did not expend over $1,000, or possibly
$500. in the effort to land the nomination.
Among the democratic qspirants for the
candidacy 1t was estimated by John p. Tan
sey, secretary Of the democratic county
central committee, that Douglas Pattison
spent the most, probably $500 John P.
MeGoorty, he thought, was next with
$4,000.
Next in Importance is the list of expenses
OF the several candidates for the office OF
states attorney. Because OF the great in
terest in the campaign waged over this
OFFICE the candidates are declared to have
invested large amounts.
IL Is estimated that the expenses of the
candidates ran from $500 up to 5000 or
SSOO. Many of the candidates are known
10 nave spent small amounts, while others
put out larger sums. The amounts were
divided about equally between the repub-
licans and democrats.
Candidate. -. |
court found that $3.50 was the average sum
necessary To get acquainted with enough
voters TO permit it to be generally known
lhat thsy were in the race. As there are
intE-elght candidates on the democratic
,hu IortS-three on the republican ticket,
mis- item reached the sum Of SIS. $50.
AS to the other offices. the cost OF he
a candidate was regulated by the size
Of the candidates bank account or The
number OF affluent friends he could induce
10 support him.
According to a friend of Harry Rosenthal
candidate for member Of IN,
tate board of equalization, it takes but s1E
o run for that office. Just how Mr.. Rosen-
mai spent that much money his friend
'ould not say. Hans ]. Jensen, Mr.. Rosen-
mars opponent, for that same office. fritz
ered away $lO0 in the course of the cam
,alsh' according TO this same friend.
Nould-be county commissioners. of whom
mere are eighty-seven in the race are sun.
'osed to have expended $500 each. In view
the fact that but ten of these candi- 4.
.ates may be elected this is not as chean |
race as one might imagine at first sight
Inc money which Governor Deneen spent
\ the course Of his campaign went to a
'reat extent TO the railroad companies.
n the early stages Of the campaign he :
lade a tour of the state In a special car
ne governor refused TO be the guest Of ,
ne railroads over which he Travelled. and j,
ne outlay of cash which resulted made /,
ute a hole in the campaign fund. Then F,
iter In the campaign he toured the state
nth a train of automobiles which CON
umed more dollars. Besides these items '
here were tons of postal cards, letters and A.,
/
Mr.. Yates succeeded in spending a large -,
mount. without forcing any of his money :
pom unwilling railroads. He made at least ,
distinct tours OF the state. Besides !
hese he held more than 100 meetings in !
hicago. which included several tents. two !
ands' a few strenuous singers and the
sual amount OF printed matter.-Chicago !
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