The De Soto County news. [volume] (Arcadia, Fla.) 1898-1924, 1916-06-08


Herald. caali1ate FOR secretary Of
state in Tuesdays prim7ry, writes an
interesting edit r;ial on The Primary
Campaign.r We give y is below for
vour earnest consideration:
"The primary campaign which end
Cd Monday night was The most inter-
esting. not to lay exciting, political
contest that eve. occurred in Flori-
IA From the number Of candidates
engaged. It might have been thought
that il would de-, clop extreme acrimo-
nv. but it was remarkably free from
what is called 'mur singing or per-
sonal vituurcyiiun. 1t is true that
considerable sarcasm wa exchanged
between rival candidates, some OF
whom INDUCED in caustic reflections
upon their competitors, but there
were no attacks upon personal charac-
Tor no charges Of corruption, moth.
ing lbelous said, nothing that might
no called viliilicati,n. This was not
40 much hecaucs the candidates met
each other face to face or the stump,
as because hey were men of high
character by whom mud singing
methods were held in contempt.
In this respect, the primary was a
good thing but, in ether respects, 1t
developed some serious objections.
The chief bje,!ioa is the great ex-
pense imposed upOu candidate,
which is Il virtual prohibition upon a
poor mans hcroring a candidate, no
matter how cnpaU's and deserving he
ray be. rhis rpplieS particularly to
those running foI STAGE and high fed
eal offices.
To make thorough campaign all
over the sshtc, on2 that would give
reasonable a,suranc" Of success, the
candidate must work with all energy
for fully six months, ard spend the
entire amount allowed by law for the
campaign expenses. Candidates for
governor and United States senator
are limited 10 an expenditure Of 81
ono, Of which $500 t. $4,000 could
easily be used fer postage alone. Of
flee rent, clerical help, services OF
manager, Printing, newspaper adver'
Using and ether items Of legitimate
expense, to say nothing Of the cost of
constant travelling for six months,
may add $1,000 to $1,000 to the post
age bill.
We do not see how any candidate
for these highest offices can make a
thorough campaign for less than ten
. to fifteen thousand dollars; and the
successful candidate for even the mi
nor offices, such as state treasurer
and comptroller, If tic had very active
opposition, would have to spend a
similar amount.
Another obIccIion is this, and it is
even more serions than the one men,
tioned above; the state wide primary
n Oilers i. golden opportunity to any
CRATER who has the money, the ener-
~ and the brains to make a success
tul run. A man may b. known in his
own home pace as being corrupt
but II he has succeeded in getting his
name before the public as an enter
plsing and brainy citizen, If the news
apers have given him fame for his
efedltable deeds at home, he can carry
'nis reputation into all parts of the
Ia. u, Is N
SHOWN and get enough votes to put
Jun In one If the most important Of
n noes OF the state. Such a man would
not hesitate to spend money beyond
The legal limit and swear to a false
statement If expenses
Sut, you say, il his home people
Know him to be corrupt, they would
Expose him. Brother, they won't dc
" tney dare not do 1t, because the
'a"s are against them and against the
neWspapers. Consider the laws, and
b 'ncn ask yourself il you would mount
n "e stump and charge any man will
~ing untrustworthy and "crooked,
" WIN being a CRATER. Who is going tc
make martyr Of himself by expos
Jug CRATER to prevent him from
II winning high place? Ask Claude
.ngle what was his experience IL
'n's Particular. See the court record!
bartow as 10 what befell him.
wen, the people wanted the .pri
~ary, and they have II: but they ma!
~ discover that It does not Away
~ In every instance furnish then
WIN the best officials.
roank the Lord, however. that thi