The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-02
Assessment of Candidates
le Editor of The Age-Herald.

To the Editor of The Age-Herad. I note cn the fifth page of today's is sue of Ire Age-Herald that Chairman Robert N. Bell of tn, county democratic executive committee had not yet ap- pointed the subcommittee. of five to have charge of the coming primary election, but it is expected he will do so in few days. Yon also say
 This subcommittee will have the mat ter of making assessments against can didates in charge. and will attend to all other matters of routine"
 Tt is understood that all candidates will be assessed, including those who will make the race for delegates to the state convention"
 I feel sure this assessment will be made, as I was present at the meeting of the county committee last Saturday, and heard Chairman Bell request that reso- ution introduced by Victor Torino, that no candidates be assessed, be with drawn.
 The last legislature of the state enacted Il general primary election law when reads in part as follows:
 Sec 2. .All primary elections hereafter held by any political party in the state lor the nomination of any state, district, county or municipal officers, shall be held and conducted under the provisions of this act, etc.
 Sec 5. The expense of such primary shall be paid out of the county treasury of the several counties in which such general primary election is held. in the seme manner, and to the same extent, as may be provided by law for the payment of the expenses of a general election held under the laws of Alabama"
 Sec IS. Nothing herein shall be con- strued to prohibit any executive commit tee of party from fixing assessments or other qualifications as 1t may deem necessary for any person desiring to be- come d candidate for any office in any such primary election"
 I would Ike to know what assessments the committee could "deem necessary when the county is to pay the 'expense If such primary election? l have talked with some of the candidates, and they say they can't see what expense there can te which the committee would have 10 bear, unless it be for little stationery, and an office in which to meet, which could not reasonably amount to over $lo-
 I do not know who the subcommittee will be- and will not presuppose or pre- sume it will act unfairly about the mat ter, neither do ] presume that Chairman Fell would act unfairly aDoul the Indl- ter, but the levying of heavy assessments against candidates, if it does no more. operates to prevent man of small means from becoming candidate, and thereby, as of old, establishes a class who may run for office, which is against the very letter and spirit of the primary election law.
 I would Nike publicly to call on Chair- man Bell to explain what will be done with the money of the county candidates f they are to be heavily assessed Gas were the state candidates by the state committee. which action, believe, was arbitrary and wrongfuD, and what will be the purpose of such assessment If there is no purpose in it, then why is it to be done, Tit is to he done? Will any mem ter of the county committee be entitled personally to any part Of the moneys se- cured by any such assessments, if the same are to be made as is reported? It seems we ought to have some light on this subject Very truly,
 R. l.. WILLIAMS.
 Riruinghtir1. January 31, 1912.