The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-03-14

ment setting forth his qualifications,
the principles and policies he advo-
Gates and favors, or any other matter
he may wish to submit in support of
his candidacy. Each candidate must
pay for at least one page, the amount
to be paid varying from $4,000 for
the highest Office to $1,000 for the min
or offices. Every candidate may secure
the use of three additional pages at
the same prices, not to exceed three
additional pages, or four pages in all.
Information regarding state and con-
gressional candidates is printed in
pamphlet issued by the secretary of
state, one copy being mailed to each
registered voter in the state. Pamph-
let's regarding county candidates are
issued by the county clerk and mailed
to each voter in the county. These
pamphlets must be mailed at least
eight days before the primary cleo
ton.
The Oregon law limits a candidate
in primary campaign to the expendt-
ture of fifteen per cent of one years
salary of the office he seeks. How
ever, the amount of money spent by
candidate in securing space in the
publicity pamphlet is not considered
in estimating the amount of money to
which he is limited. The law also ex-'
pressly provides that none of it's pro-
visions shall be construed as relat-
ing to the rendering of services of
speakers, writer's, publishers, or others
for which no compensation is asked or
given.
We will take concretel example as
means of illustrating the operation
/ - 4. ~
governor of Florida is $4,000 per year.
If Florida had a law similar to the
Oregon law a candidate for the Of
fee of governor could spend in his
campaign:
1st-s4OOO0 for space In support Of
his candidacy in the publicity pamph-
let issued by the state; this would
reach every voter in the state.
2nd-Fifteen per cent of years sal
airy, or $4,000, in any way or manner
not contrary to the provisions of the
corrupt practices act.
3rd-We take It that under the Ore
gon law a candidate could then spend
the money necessary to canvass the
state inasmuch as he would be
speaker for whose services no COM
penastion is asked or given.
II IluSI D0 pdIGnI u lIl6 ulOSI SUI
perficial observer that such law as this
would go far towards eliminating the
present disadvantage of the man of
small means as would be consistent
with due regard for the public wei
fare. Under the provisions Of such
law printed matter could be placed in
the hands of every voter in the state
concerning a candidate at a nominal
I'D &c IL Nandfdaf
right to spend money in a canvass of
the state interviewing voters and adj
dressing them upon the issues of the
campaign would not be infringed. We
also think that no restriction should be
placed upon the amount of literature
and advertising a candidate could use.
These two methods are the principal
means by which the voters of state
are informed and posted as to can
didate's fitness for office and these
means of information should not be
hampered in any way. But by a law
providing for publicity pamphlet cir
culated by the state as in Oregon and
a law limiting the amount Of money
which could be spent, exclusive of that
spent for literature and canvassing,
much would be done towards removing
the present disadvantage suffered by
every candidate of small means. In
addition a candidate could spend $3.50
in support of his candidacy in any
| legitimate manner. 1t will be seen that
under the Oregon law, changed as
here suggested, the total amount which
candidate could spend in a campaign
for governor exclusive of the expenses
incident to a canvass of the state and
the circulation of literature and adver-
Using, would amount to $1150.00.
We have referred to the Oregon law
for the purpose of showing what has
been, and can be, done and we hope
that our next legislature will consider
the question Of primary reform in a
statesmanlike manner. We hope that
they will not let the state of Florida
lag behind in the movement of better
| election laws.
The primary Is here to stay and It
should be improved by the next legis-
lature.