The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1916-03-23
PAY MUCH FOR
pARTY HONORS
CANDIDATES FOR DELEGATES
SPEND CONSIDERABLE IN
EFFORTS TO LAND.
REASON PUZZLES OUTSIDERS
SOME SEEKING A PLACE USED
ALL CASH AND ENERGY AT
THEIR COMMAND

st. Paul, March 21.-The story
is current at the state capitol, though
there is some doubt as to the correct
ness of the figures used, that several
of the candidates for delegateships at
the presidential preference primary
held recently parted with from $4,000
to $4,000 in an effort to establish
their claim to the honor. Some Of the
gossips even hint at an expenditure
in excess of the $4,000 figure. While
some of the guesses are undoubtedly
wild, one candidate for district honors
that l know of admitted mailing over
$4,000 letters, and he spoke with some
degree of pride regarding his expendi-
lures. Another, a candidate for dele
gate at large, put out nearly $4,000
letters calling attention to his candi-
dacy, and still another parted with
sufficient cash to enable the publlca-
ton in over half the papers of the
state of a two-inch double column ad-
vertisement One of the above main
tanned working headquarters that
would have done credit to a candidate
for governor. There were other ex-
penditures and activities costing
money, but those mentioned were the
most noticeable. Now, why any man,
simply for the purpose of being the
accredited representative of his party
at the national convention, should part
with even $500, much less $4,000 or
$4,000, the amount credited to some,
is a puzzle to most of US, yet never
theless there were any number who
went after the prize with all the
money and energy at their command.
The only explanation l can offer is
the thought of what defeat might
bring in a future political way and
how victory might enhance their
chances should they elect to seek
something bigger. What the small fry
spent, however, is nothing when the
expenditures of the presidential can
didates are considered. Various sums
have been mentioned, but $4,000 I'M
dOubtedly comes near being the cor
rect figure. Of course it is all guess
work, but after peep at some of the
elaborate headquarters maintained by
the candidates it looks like that fig
ure. And they tell us that the new
way tends to the purity of the ballot.
For the next two weeks the atten-
ton of the party managers and king
makers will be given over to a thor
ough analysis of the presidential pri-
mary returns. While to you and me
they offer little outside of the cost in
volved, they contain much in the way
of meat, for those politically con-
hart, for instance. The big vote ac
corded him undoubtedly has those in
volved in the contest for United States
senator worried. Then there is j. F.
jacobson and former Governor S. R
Van SAINT. Although regarded as po-
litically dead both landed delegate
ships, and by big vote at that. An
other is James Manahan, who may
have secured the fourth delegateship.
Jim, they say, has been looking for
something soft and the vote given him
might induce him to take fling at
the supreme bench. While the four
named are leading for Republican del
egates at large there were several
equally as prominent who failed and
conjecture runs to them equally with
the others. Fred Stevens, for instance,
and Andy Rain. Both are prominent
politically and the question is, how
are they affected. AS I said, the whole
thing does not mean much to you or l,
yet big things are involved, and it is
not to be wondered at that the big fell
lows are delving.
State Senator George B. Sullivan's
victory in the Third district, where
he beat out one of Congressman Ia
Wis henchmen in the contest for one
of the district delegateships, is caus-
ing the live ones in that district not a
little worry. The fear is that George
will conclude to get into the congress
sional game. Senator Sullivan dis
claims any such intentions, but the
fact that he is in the district and that
he has made a good showing in the
face of big odds is not lost on the
present congressional incumbent, c.
r. Davis of St. Peter. 1t is reported
that the St. Peter man is considerably
exercised over the outcome.
That the recent presidential pri-
mary was not popular one is shown
in the small vote cast. The errors,
too, were many. Hundreds of voters,
whether by mistake or disgust with
the whole thing, failed to vote their
presidential preference and confined
their marking to the candidates for
delegates. This was indicated in over
1000 precincts where former Governor
Eberhart received bigger vote than
Cummins, the candidate for president
Many admitted voting for the first
four onHi1ofac Lo - -