The Harrison times., 1912-05-04
Little Rock Letter.

states, But it was not SO expensive
as some people imagined, if the
sworn statements OF the candidates
themselves may he accepted as
truthful. All the talk that was cur
rent during the canvass of races
that were costing anywhere from
! $4,000 to 100000 was ground,
less, as nothing approaching such
figures was spent by any candidate
for any office.
But at the best, it is most expcn-
siye game to play so much so that
poor men cannot play it, and there
are few Offices that are worth what
they cost. Atty-Gen. Norwood re-
tired from the race for governor
early in the campaign, when he saw
that he could not afford the hnan-
cial drain, 1t is undoubtedly true
that many a mortgage and promis-
sorry note represent the source OF
other campaign funds, in most cases
for those that lost,
Congressman Joe 7 Robinson an
nounccS that he is preparing a bill
to be submitted to the next legisla-
turc that will seek to prevent such
heavy expenditures for Office, ,
~ do believe said Mr., Robinson
THAT candidates should be COMPEL.
ed to abandon the present methods
and return TO the old way of debat.
inE issues in the presence and hear.
ing Of the people The candidates
would escape the embarrassment in
cidcntaI to the Indebtedness which is
inevitable in cases of men of average
means. They would thus be afford.
ed an equal or almost equal oppor-
tunity Tor public service with men
of wealth, and honest government
and public interest would be pro-
NOTED. y
Emulation and the fear that the
other fellow will gain an advantage
lead to the greatest cXtrayagances
in the use Of money, from United
States Senator TO alderman. The
candidate is an easy mark for all
the ward heelers and precinct buns
who can and do sell their "inilu-
encc" TO both sides for a dollar or
any other amount they can induce
the candidate 60 give up Newspa.
per advertising and personal letters
addressed to every individual voter
in the state, sometimes two or three
and loads Of printed speeches and
circulars by each candidate in the
course OF a campaign, represent the
greatest item Of cost But all the
Others do il, and where shall the
line be drawn
Mr., Robinson also calls attention
to the fact that "by far the greater
part Of campaign expenses is ineurr.
cd through the maintenance of head.
quarters and the anxiety of those in
charge to make a showing Mr.
Robinson's headquarters cost him
81 1861 while for the same item
Gov Donaghey expended $500,
Headquarters were also maintained,
for varying periods, by Senator Da.
Wis, Col, Brundidge, and Messrs,
Moose, Pindall, Rove, and Others,
1t was to provide q partial rem.
edy at least for this condition that
the Legislature Of 1909 passed n
law providing for the publicity of
campaign expenses, for all county,
district and state Offices, the county
candidates to be filed within Is
days after the election, the state and
Congressional Offices within thirty
DAYS, In many of the counties there
is already a notable laXity in the en-.
foreement of the law, although q
penalty of from $50 TO $1,000 is pre-.
seribed, The section applying to
state Offices is as follows
"Act 1866, Section s-Any person
who shall become u candidate be.
fore any primary election in this
state for nomination to become u
candidate at any general election for
any state Office, for Congress, or to
become u candidate for United
States Senator before the Legisla.
ture, shall, within thirty days after
such primary election is held, file
with the secretary Of state verified
itcmizcd account Of all campaign eX.
penses incurred by him during such
time ~ he may have been eandi.
date before such primary Any fail.
ure or refusal of any candidate to
comply with sections I aud s, us
herein set out, shall be regarded rs
n violation Of this act, and such can
didote so offending shall, upon con-
viction, be fined in any sum not less
than 500 nor more than $1,000"
The thirty DAYS expired Friday,