The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-05-29

T. a general primary law Oar labor Of love in
ewing 10 point out to that benighted newspaper
the error Of It's way has apparently been in vain
Here are its words Note especially It's closing
paragraphs:
eve can not see why tie voters should de
fray the cost Of the campaigns Of candidates
for Office. either in whole or in part Can
aidates seek Office primarily because they
ike oBce-holdinE because the life Of
puhlie man appeals to them, in some IN
stances the $500 q year salary received By
a senator or member OF Congress Is an ir'
resistible attraction. OF course, each can
dldate believes he can serve the country as
we'll or better than any of his opponents.
but it is true that this consideration Of ser
vice Is not foremost ia the mind OF the aF'
erage man seeking Office.
The Ttrqimtan disnisses as unworthy OF
serious consideration our remark toat u law
saddllug upon the taxpayers OF the state
the cost Of a primary to nominate candidates
would be followed by legislation putting
campaign expenses Of every character upon
the voters instead OF allowing the cost to
remain on the shoulders Of the candidates,
II there be not such additional legislation,
the law enacted In the first instance could
not accomplish the object desired, for, with
the cost of holding the election pat upon the
State. the candidates. rich and poor, would
be on the same footing at the opening OF the
campaign and the one with the longest
pocket-book could make the most thorough
canvass and impress his claims upon the
voters In many ways which could not be at
tempted by the candidate OF limited means
we do not want system under which
only the rich can aspire 10 office, although
our observation has not been that poor men
serve us any more faithfully than rich men.
The poor man in office can be tempted by
money TO betray his constituents. 1t is less
likely that tine rich man would yield to such
termination. The Legislature which elected
T,orirner to the Senate was composed mainly
of poor men several of them absolutely
broke" who fell before the temptation Of
the dollars Of the rich. thrown into jack
pot" o be used in buying a senator.
The truth is the cost Of political life
has increased along with the cost of the
things we eat and wear There may be a
way TO reduce each. II would be poor So
luton of the problem presented by the first
10 place on the shoulders Of the taxpayer
large portion Of the burden now borne by
The seekers after Office,
Come now TIT us reason together. Our entf
contention is based on what We conceive to
well-grounded belief that the payment of non
mating costs through q general primary woui
inure TO the public benefit 1t frees the prospe
tive candidate from all necessity for seeking III
. assistance ot friends. or Of those who might hoI
10 be advantaged by his election by having
"string' on him, This evil. OF course, has bee
hy no means the power in Virginia II has bee
clearly shown 10 be In many other States. b.
our past comparative freedom from its bligt
should not deter from guarding against
We have already shown how such a change &
we advocate would aid In causing the office
seek the nan-whereas under existing cond
tlons If the Office sought poor man, the onl
thing he could do would be TO hide. or be hanl
rupted. or be placed under financial obligatio
To his friends u situation full Of danger to tt
public service.
The Inder-AppeG barking back TO the or
that the general primary Law. as advocated
The Vtroiniam, would necessarily result in add
tlcnal legislation placing upon the State all car
nalgn expenses says. II there be no such add
tonal legislation, the law enacted in the fri
instance could not accomplish the result d.
sired" Il occurs to us that this thing Of spen
Ing none like water in general elections is &
ing out of fashion, anyhow and that If II
candidates themselves do not quit ii, the peop
uili pat "a stop to 1t by law. There arc.
course legitimate expenses IN political can
paigna. but that they should be permitted to /
50 large as to eat up virtually the entire salar
Of the Office TO be filed for its entire term do,
frequently It does not occur TO US that ther
S H. excuse for any. such eanpalgnirg,s, We, do n
believe thai the influence Of a long pocket-boc
is aAsssasa eEs al in Virginia politics. Ne hase.
belief that virginans vote for their candidate
for what they are-not for what they have. III
candidate who il unable to make his campaie
on special might follow Cores example
his FIRST Oklahoma campaign, and foot 1t. If !
has the right sort Of principles in his heart ar
voice TO give them utteranoe, a convenient d.
goods box the average court green is all
needs 10 get his claims before the people, al
there are a plenty OF tair. straight. clean new