The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1915-07-15
GILCHRIsT WRITES ENTER.
TAININGLY
Protecting the Candidates Against
Being Devoured by Hungry
and Inscriptions Editors

Editor = Herald My recollec.
ton is that | have seen an article
IN the press more or less to the eff.
fleet that when a Candidate visits
a town there is some question as to
whether his presence should be
mentioned, unless he pays for the
same, as the mention of his pres,
ence gives him and his candidacy
publicity, and is therefore a di.
rect benefit to him. A candidate
might also show his business dual.
titles by at least subscribing for
the paper.
However the Editor may be in
clined to vote, some of the
readers of his paper are liable
to vote for said candidate. re-
gardless of the influence of the
press as displayed inthat par
ticular instance. If the election
of a citizen to the high office of
United States Senator is to be con-
sidered simply a benefit to him on
| ly, then the politics of the State
has degenerated to a low stan
ldard. Although a candidate might
be disposed to be liberal, and es-
lpecially liberal to the press,
which has done more to the up
building of the State than any
other interest or profession, still
| it might be well to consider the f.
nancial limitation placed upon a
candidate for the U. S. Senate.
Before the Act of 1915, in their
sworn statements to the Secretary
of State, the candidates have
themselves expended between
$15, 100000 and $2S,0O0.O0. Under
the Act of 1913 the expenses of
such candidates are now limited
to 100000. This includes CON
tributions, if any. This limita-
ton will necessarily cut off the
supply of milk and honey which
have heretofore been received by
those working for such candi-
dates, The primary is held on
the first Tuesday after the first
Monday in June, 1916. This a
mount of money might be expend-
ed as follows:
Securing a list of Democratic
registered voters from each of
the supervisors of registration of
the several counties, about $3.50.
90; campaign manager from a.
bout February to June at $125.00
per month, $4,000; stenographer|
for 4 months, 100000; rent of Of
fee for 4 months $4,000; office fix
lures $1,000; travelling and other
expenses of campaign manager,
about $4,000; assessments 5 per
cent, $4,000; for one page in
book issued by Secretary of State,
$4,000. This must be paid. (As
many as 2 other pages at $4,000
each may be taken.) A one-cent
postage circular to about $4,000
Democratic voters, stamps and
about 100000; printing
data for circulation, $4,000; for
stationery, stamps, proportional
time of stenographer from now to
February, about $4,000. Total a
accounted for as above
temized, $3550.00. If the two
other pages allowed in the book |
issued by the Secretary of State |
are taken, the total expense is "a
bout $4,000. AS the candidate |
has left about $4,000 with which
% pay his travelling expenses and
or newspaper advertisements, if
S quite evident that some of these
Stimates must be reduced.
From the Act of 1913, relating
o Primary Elections, page 26S,
he following is quoted;
"Sec. /. That no person in the
of his candidacy for
for public office or
ublic position, in a primary cleo
ion, shall himself, or by or
trough any other person or per-
Dns, directly or indirectly, give,
ay or expend any money or give