The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-10-14
CAMPAIGN FUNDS
WATCHEO|N NINTH
Democrats Will See If Federal
Officeholders Are Assessed
as Usual.
LAW REQUIRES Statement
Sources of Income Must BE
Given-Expenses Are Limited
to $1,000.

Democrats in the Ninth District are
keeping a watchful eye on the sub
ject Of election expenditures from the
standpoint of the campaign publicity
act Of Congress. Especially are they
Geyoting some attention to the matter
of assessing Federal oficeholders 10
pay the cost of sending a Republican
to Congress from the Southwest.
1t has been repeatedly charged in
previous campaigns. and never denied.
IN this State have been expected, ad-
nonished and otherwise persuaded to
contribute a sum equal to certain
percentage of their salaries to the Re-
publican State Committee. The chair
man for decade has been c. Bascom
Slemp, representative in Congress from
the Ninth. Under his direction the
campaign funds have been expended.
Ninth Got Good Sum.
In congressional years there have
been fights in only two districts-the
Fifth and Ninth. Rumor has always
assigned the giants share to Mr..
mers. former collector of internal rev.
enue. held sway and knew where con-
tributions would do the most good.
The sum capable Of being secured in
this way is great. One thousand post
masters mean 1000 contributors. and
this is but the beginning. There are
post-office clerks and assistants and
5anitors, revenue collectors, agents and
clerks, officers of United States courts.
etorekeepers. gaugers and deputy mar
shais without number. Nearly all OF
these are Republicans. and most OF them
know or are soon made aware, acc ord-
ing to the general understanding.
that they are expected to be patriotic
Enough to contribute to the party's well
fare. Otherwise their services may be
found to be distinctly unsatisfactory.
Must File Statement.
Now there are certain laws on the
Federal statute books put there by the
Democrats. One Of these requires
every person who is a candidate for
nomination before a primary or con-
vention or for election as representa-
tive in Congress to file. not less than
ten nor more than fifteen days before
the primary or general election, with
the clerk of the House Of Representa-
tives. a detailed statement, correct
and itemized, Of all moneys and things
Of value received by him or by any
one for him. with his knowledge or
consent. in aid or support OF his can
didacy Further he must report ms
detailed expenditures and promises.
Besides. campaign committees must
report receipts and expenditures The
names and addresses Of all persons or
corporations who contribute 500 or
more must be reported. and all expen-
6itures in excess OF $40 must be IKE
wise itemized. II votes are as hlsh
In the Ninth this year as they were In
1910. there may be a good many SUCH
items of $40 or more to be given In
Nd candidate for Congress may ex-
pend, use or promise more than $5.Ooo
in securing his election. excepting that
his personal travelling expenses. his
Zee II IN a primary, and his printing
postage, telephone and telegraph bills
are not counted
All candidates for Congress must
comply with this law, and no DOUBT
all those in Virginia are fully IN"
formed thereof.
Trouble IL Ahead.
7, IS. anticipated that Mr.. Slenoo and
his committee will encounter several
difficulties this year. In the first place.
a very large number of Federal en-
ployes in Virginia are followers OF The-
odore Roosevelt. Perhaps majority
heean ONCE under his administration
To give 10 a Republican campaign fund
viii, rot be at all to their liking. and
q good many are likely TO refuse. es-
o.cfally II they feel that Mr.. Tafts de-
Tea, ts certain and that they stand no
chance with him IN any event.
And then. the watchfuI Democrats
nav have a look at the statement filed
BY Mr.. Gemp with the clerk Of the
House and see whence the fund came.