The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1916-06-08
The Primary Campaign

The primary campaign which
ended Monday night was the
most interesting, not to say ex-
citing political contest that ever
occurred in Florida. From the
number of candidates engaged, II
might have been thought that 1t
would develope extreme acrl-
mony, but it was remarkably Tree
from what is called mud-sllng-
ing" or personal vituperation 1t
is true that considerable sarcasm
was exchanged between rival can
didates, some of whom INDUCED
in caustic reflections upon their
competitors, but there were no at
tacks upon personal character, no
charges of corruption, nothing H.
belous said, nothing that might
be called vilifcation. This was
not so much because the candl-
dates met each other face to face
son the stump" as because they
were men of high character by
whom "mud-slinging" methods
were held in contempt.
In this respect, the primary
was a good thing; but, in other
respects, it developed some seri-
GUS objections. The chief OBJ
lection is the great expense i'm
posed upon a candidate, which is
a virtual prohibition upon a poor
mans becoming a candidate, no
matter how capable and deserv-
ing he may be. This applies par
ticularly to those running for
state and high federal offices.
To make a thorough campaign
all over this state, one that would
give reasonable assurance OF sue
cess, the candidate must work
with all energy for fully SIX
months and spend the entire a.
mount allowed by law for cam
paign expenses. Candidates for
governor and United States SEN
ator are limited to an expenditure
of 100000, of which $2,5OO.OO to
100000 could easily be- used for
postage alone. Office rent, clerl-
cal help, services of manager,
printing, newspaper advertising
and other items of legitimate ex-
pense, to say nothing of the cost
of constant travelling for six
months, may add $5,000.OO to
100000 to the postage bill.
We do not see how any candi-
date for these highest offices can
make a thorough campaign for
less than ten to fifteen thousand
dollars; and the successful candi-
date for even the minor offices,
such, as state treasurer and comp
troller, if he had very active OPP
position, would have to spend a
similar amount.
Another objection is this, and
it is even more serious than the
one mentioned above: the state
wide primary offers a golden op
portunity to any CRATER who hal
the money, the energy and thu
brains to make a successful run
A man may be known in his owl
home place as being corrupt; but
if he has succeeded in getting hi
name before the public as an Ell
terprising and brainy citizen,
the newspapers have given hn
fame for his creditable deeds q
home, he can carry this reputi
ton into all parts of the stat
where his true character is III
known and get enough votes
put him in one of the most in
portant Offices of the state. Sue
man would not hesitate to spen
money beyond the legal limit an
swear to a false statement OF e.
penses.
But, you say, if his home poop
know him to be corrupt, the
would expose him. Brother, tn,
won't do it; they dare not do
because the laws are against the
and against the newspapers. Co
slider the laws, and then ask You
self if you would mount Il
stump and charge any man WI
being untrustworthy and "croo