The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-09-28
PRIMARY LAW EXPENSE.


Some other publications of the state
are beginning to see a few OF the
weaknesses Of the primary system
which The Forum has long ago pointed
out The expense Of the plan is a ter
rffying thing for the candidates. For
the state offices each candidate must
spend larger sum than his salary for
the two years for which he is elected.
The Bismarck Tribune has the follow
ing,
The Grand Forks Herald publishes a
statement from state offlcer-whose
identity Is not revealed--but who sup
plies the items Of necessary campaign
expense in a campaign for nomination
to office under the primary election
system. It is likely the estimates Of
expense are pretty nearly accurate,
and The total of expense, all of which
is legitimate as campaign expense can
be, is $1,000. for election to an Office in
which the successful candidate is per-
mitted to serve the people for two
years for a total salary something less
than the expense of getting the office,
with his labor thrown in. In other
words, the candidate serves the state
for two years for less sum than he
paid to get the Office, and gives his
labor away.
Plainly, under such q condition OF af-
fairs, there ought to be no candidates
for Office except those financially able
to expend a considerable sum and
work for nothing but honor. But 1t is
not, we believe, the intent Of our
scheme Of government that a public
official go unrewarded financially. II Is
the theory Of our political system that
the election Of officials shall be unac-
companied by any great expense, and
that the official shall receive q living
salary for the performance OF his du-
ties.
1t is not true, however, that the
expense Of all candidates is as great as
this showing would indicate. And on
the other hand, the expense OF some
candidates may be greater, for they
may employ larger campaign and pub
licity bureaus and shape their expendi-
lures upon more liberal plan and vet
all OF their expenditures may be what
is termed Legitimate" A candidate
may food a state with circulars call
ing attention to his qualifications. He
may discuss platforms and policies In
print, at advertising rates He may
distribute blotters, buttons, souvenirs
and dozen and one other things to
advertise himself as a candidate. II
is true that a good many candidates
for office. or rather men who are well
qualified for office, would not engage
in such campaign of publicity. They
would feel that the game ia not worth
the candle. But standards differ and
desire for Office is OF varying intensity
And in state wide primary we should
say that other things being equal. the
best advertising would get the most
votes. This is not to say that a can
oidate with superior qualifications of
address, personality, forensic ability
and character would be too badly hand
icapped in a primary campaign. There
are candidates 30 well known and in
whom the people have so much conf
dence that their campaigns might be
conducted almost without expense, ex-
cept the expense OF travelling about the
state, addressing audiences of the vot-
ers. But such campaign is likely to
last for months, to take the entire time
VI Tie CauQludLe' ana 10 neC0Ssitate
considerable sums for incidental ex-
.penses. And good many exceptionally
capable men cannot give months to q
campaign in which there is only a
possible chance of getting an Office
This is an objection to the state-witie
primary that has been urged frequently
and with some force. The cost of con-
Quoting an individual campaign. the
ease with which candidates in ONCE
may perpetuate themselves the impos-
sibility of getting fair and accurate
comparison of candidates through all
sections Of big state. Certainly, I'LL
is not often In a state wide primary
that the office seeks the man, and this
Is supposed to be the ideal condition in
political affairs. The man who Is new
to the people or the state at large, and
who is inspired by desire to serve Us
an official is necessarily impressed with
the expense of campaign. If he is
a poor man, he surrenders his desire
for office In a good many instances.
provided he enjoys q business or pro-
fession that giveF him livelihood III
he Is purely an Office seeker, he may
take chance. having nothing to lose.
There are serious defects in the prac-