The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-07-22
EDITOR ARCHIBALD JOHNSON
Before Press ASSOCiatiOn-The Use Of
Money In Elections.

Al IUC oldlC / To,S tSSSbCldllOIl llClu
at Hendersonville last week, Editor
Archibald Johnson, of Charity and
Children, one of the safest newspa-
per men in the State, addressed the
Association and during his speech
took bold stand along all lines as
he always does. We copy small
part of that address because it is
needed at this day and time 1t is
truth, the sooner the people turn
down any candidate for office who
uses money or any other unfair
means, the better it will be for the
State. The people know whether or
not Editor johnson is on the right
track. The wayfairing man, though
a fool, can understand. This is the
part of his strong speech that the
newspaper Of the State are requst-
ed to publish;
''Our political future is beset with
danger. The drastic and decisive
campaign through which we passed
last summer and fail was not to our
credit. Money was spent by candi-
dates and MEN were bought. The
electorate is not as pure in this State
as it used to be. 1t is the duty Of
the press to cry aloud and spare not.
Our public Offices must not be hawk
ed about on the market. Our can
didates must not be permitted to
buy their way into power and privil-
ege. Upon a strong and virtuous
electorate the future of our State
depends. 1t may be old-fashioned,
but we must return to the plan our
fathers followed through all the his
tory of the State of electing men be-
cause of merit rather than money.
cone candidate last year was re-
ported to have spent $4,000 in try
ing to secure the nomination to the
highest Office within the gift of the
people. That he failed of the nomi-
nation does not answer the argu-
ment. He was not the only candl-
date who spent money. Our danger
is that we shall drift into the fearful
condition that now poisons the body
polite of many of our States, where
only men of wealth will run for Of
nee at ali. The aJiest nan iii the
public life Of North Carolina is a
poor man; and could not offer him.
self as candidate if nc would, and
would not if he could. If he had a
million he would not spend copper
to change any citizens vote. Shall
we deprive our State Of the service
of men like this, by putting our Of,
fees up to the highest bidder
"The press, if it be true to its mis-
sion, must play a tremendous part in
checking the dangerous tendency to,
ward expensive campaigns that
! threatens 80 engulf US. AS sentinels
upon the watch towers we must lift
up our voices against this-menace tC
our liberties. The newspapers car
lead the way out of the wilderness
if they will"
And the candidate for Office who
promises his influence or Office tC
voters for their support is as guilty OF
wrong as the man wilC pays the casf
or its equivalent. The office should
seek the man and that healthy senti
ment is growing in North Carolin;
every day and everywhere. The peo
pie are tired of trickery and schem
ing and hypocrisy and whether tn
office seekers know it or not the pub
lies eye is alway upon them and the.
can be easily detected and spotted
Let the office seek the man ever.
time and turn down those who ar
unscrupulous enough to use none.
to buy votes for themselves or thei
friends. Eastern Carolina News.