The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-05-27
Campaign Funds.

4 II the people had not lost their sense
/ Of value OF the dollar the enormous
campaign funds used by presidential
aspirants and their friends would be
1 staggering.
campaign is the most expensive ever
/ wsged. 1t Is in line with the expense
OF conducting all enterprises, The for
tunate feature OF the investigation con-
Quoted by the senate committee is that
Notwithstanding the excessive amounts
collected and spent there is no great
evidence OF wholesale corruption such
as prevailed when the dollar was worth
moro and a vote was worth less
The bulk of the money spent thus
far has been by the supporters Of the
candidates for the Republican nomina-
ton. Tho strenuous fight they are
making Is for the reason that they be-
lieve the nomination is equivalent to
an election. and the candidate that Sc
cures the nomination in the Chicago
convention viii be the next president.
The danger to the Republicans Hes In
oyerconfldence, There is more feeling
among the candidates than there has
been in many years, II was not much
more bitter when Roosevelt split the
party and gave President Wilson his
first victory. The personality OF the
candidates preelpitated that fight, which
was a conflict between tho progressive
and reactionary elements.
This year all candidates are appealing
TO the old guard for support with the
exception Of Hiram Johnson. and he Is
making It plain through his agents that
even II defeated in the convention he
win not break away from the organisa-
tion.
II johnson docs rot secure the nom
ination he viii be pacifled by a pla.-
form announcement on the league of
nations, and as the Republicans are
not likely to favor the covenant with
affection, he will find salve for his
wounds in that triumph alone.
Among the Democrats there Is less
evidence OF personal feeling, The dis
position 10 send delegates 20 the con-
ventlon without instruction may be
taken 10 mean either one of two things,
which win not develop until the con-
vention meets. One is that President
Wilson, as the leader OF the party,
has so firm a grasp upon the reins that
he will rellnquish them only to a sue
cessor OF his choosing Another Is
that the leaders, with the Republican
convention out OF the way, viii be able
10 select candidate strong where the
Republican candidate is weak. and take
advantage OF other mistakes made by
the opposition.
It Is an encouraging omen II the |
Democratic leaders are looking solely |
to success, and are willing TO sacrifice |
personal ambitions to the good OF the |
party and the people.
The nomination Of Mr.. McAdoo would |
Justify the belief that the convention |
is dominated by single influence, and
IL elected the country would have an
continuation OF the admins
tratlon OF the past eight years for four
years longer.
There is sentiment against this
policy TO defeat candidate. II not suf-
nci5nt TO prevent his nomination. The
people are opposed to the "crown
.rince" policy of succession. as so aptly |
expressed by Mr.. William r. McCombs.
who had more important part in the
OF Mr.. Wilson than he was
given credit for having.
President Wilson ia devoted to his
ideals, and It Is improbable that he will
fail to utilize the full force OF his In
fluence TO pcrpetuate his theories by
striving TO transfer his mantle to the
candidate more nearly representing the
things he has striven TO attain.
The mystery Of the purpose OF the
leaders who viii be able to nominate or
withhold nomination at least has saved
the Democratic asplrants considerable
money, while the bulk of Republican
coin win prove to have been thrown
TO the winds