The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-04-19
CAMPAIGN EXPENSES.

Casselton, N. D., April 1s,-To The
Forum Please allow me space in
your paper for suggestion.
Since the announcement OF my can
didacy for the governorship, have
come to realize that the expense of
the primary campaign, under the meth
DDS now in vogue, would amount to
more than the salary OF the office. /
believe that candidates for office ought
not to have such an expense imposed
upon them; that 1T would be for the
best interest of the public service IL
candidates could be selected at a
minimum cost to the candidates. 1t is
true that a certain amount Of expense
is necessarily incurred In carrying on
a political campaign, and the candi-
dates may be expected to meet a rea-
sonable portion of that expense; be-
yond that, candidates, in my Judgment.
ought not to be required to go. a.
candidate who is blessed with large
means may be willing to pay the price
in money at any cost, for the sake
of the honor: but am at a loss to
know how candidate of moderate
means can afford to meet the cash de-
mands upon him under our present
system. 1t may be said by some that
If an aspirant for the nomination can
not afford to meet the expense Of such
a campaign, let him stay out. But
is that fair proposition for the peo-
pie? Is that square dear for the
candidate OF moderate means?
A state campaign necessarily in-
wolves a canvass of the state to some
extent by the candidates, in order that
the people OF the state may, as far as
possible, become acquainted with the
candidate for or against whom they
are expected to cast their votes: and
this canvass should, In my judgment.
be more especially for the benefit Of
the people than for the candidate. To
this end. believe that the primary
campaign for the nomination of cam
didates for state officers should be
carried on by the genera. public. and
not by the candidates themselves In
order to do this, / would suggest that
the republican state central committee.
Tor and on behalf of the nominations
TO De made by the republicans, ar.
range for series Of public day meet
ings at central points Throughout the
state for the month of June. where
the citizens Of such communities would
be willing to meet the expense Of such
meetings, to which meetings ali resu-
arly enrolled republican candidates
may consider themselves invited, and
nave chance to be heard, If they SO
desire, and in that way give the people
a chance to meet and become ac-
quadnted with those from among
whom they are to select their can
believe that the people
would very much enjoy a dav of this
KIND with candidates. and It would en-
aole the candidate to meet a larger
aggregation of the people, and at less
expense, than they could possibly rnaa+
n any other way. This. is seems ~
ne would be fair for all concerned
would not suggest that such a cam
'alsn should be anything In the nature
= a Joint debate, but that a limited
ifne De given to each candidate pres-
ny 70 state his views on any matter
= interest In the campaign. The AZ.
ans OF such gatherings could be aaaiIv
arranged. 70 easiis
lt seems to me that the cannos.r
or the nomination of candia.ta- =
lult as important as the campaign
10 .,a' = 70 follow later, and that this ie
1920 ae part OF the campaign in which the
: ought 70 take a special interest.
n this subject. smith stir, $50