The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-09-18
TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL
information Bureau
FREDERIC j. HAsKIN. Director.
WASHINGTON. d. c.
MONEY IN CAMPAIGNs.
WasIllngton. D. @.

Washington, D. c., Sept 14.-That
! the amount Of money which is to be
spent in electing a president should be-
come the major issue OF the campaign
and the chief object of speeches by ma
tional candidates, as it recently has
done, seems strange nor to say ridicu-
lous. OF little things uge the labor
problem and the cost of living we hear
/ nothing at all, or at least nothing
relevant, but We have already heard
several volumes about the alleged fif-
teen millions
Yet this situation Is a natural out
growth of our political system. In the
first place, every candidate is bound
| to find some issue the discussion of
which will not ALLEVIATE any possible
supporter, and the campaign fund is
an ideal issue of this kind. In the
second place, the amount OF money
which it takes to elect a president in
this country has been growing steadi
ly for oveT half century, so that
{ there really is cause for alarm.
1t is interesting to trace the genesis
of the presidential campaign fund.
Lincoln Cost Us Little.
The election of Abraham Lincoln
cost the Republicans only 100000.
The Democrats spent as much on
Douglas while the slayeholding wing
of the party is said to have spent more
to elect John c. Breckinridge. Four
or no money with General Mcclellan
as their standard bearer while Mr.. Lin
coin could have had an unlimited fund
from financial interests in the north
that believed the war should be con-
tnued with him in the White House
and the issue with the southern states
settled definitely. Little money was
needed in 1858 or 1872 so far as the
Republicans were concerned. The
Demoeratic party was not in
mr. lfT1
aggressive campaign In the latter
year, friends of Governor Seymour
raised a fund, but it amounted to
nothing compared with what General
Grant had, or could have had, to bring
about his reelection.
Big campaign funds were not the
rule until 1876. That year the su-
premaey of the Republican party was
seriously threatened because of the
scandals during the administration of
General Grant The Democratic party
mad Samuel J. Tiiden, a man who COM
manded admiration thruoat the coun-
try. Abraham S. Hewitt, then already
man OF means, was managing the
campaign for the Democrats and
Henry Watterson was helping him and
Nearly million dollars was spent
that year.
More than one million was spent in
the campaign of 1884. Both James G.
Blaine and Grover Cleveland had hosts
of friends and admirers among the
wealthy element and these contributed
iberally to the party fund. Four years
later, there WIS the great battle over
the tariff issue. Two million dollars
were said to have been spent The
fgures are conservative. Theirs is the
well founded belief that the manufac-
ing interests of Pennsylvania and New
England alone raised more than this
sum, not so much for party but BUSH
ness reasons. The figures have been
mounting ever since. In the campaign
Of 1892, each party had more than a
million at its disposal. Four years
later and again in 1900. Mr.. Hanna
had several millions at his disposal to
defeat Bryan.
How Money Is Spent.
1t is now in order to consider what
this money is spent for There are,
first, the legitimate campaign ex-
penses. National headquarters has
between forty and 100 employees at
least. Their wages and rent amount
TO thousands of dollars a day, Some
of these employees are absolutely super
Iluous. In many instances they have
been put there to conciliate some pow
erful man or faction of the party and
they render nothing in return for their
salary. During the campaign of 1904
former United States senator and
friend of Mr.. Bryan was drawing $3.50
week from Democratic national
headquarters, tho what service he rem
dered in return nobody knew. The
next expense is for speakers. More
men Than the public would imagine
receive both salary and expenses. 1t
IS said that Bourke Cochran received
one thousand dollars for his reply to
William J. Bryan in the campaign of
1895. The expenses are never very
light, either, very often more than
Fa Ia
OF speeches in printed form also costs
heavily. In the campaign of 1892
letter Of Carl Schurz on the tariff was
widely distributed. especially among
his German countrynen, at a cost of
more than $4,000
There is also the spectacular side OF
the campaign to be considered. New
York and other cities have had torch
light professions costing as much as
$4,000. Three thousand dollars
have been expended for music, deco
rations and the hire of hall.
Larger Expenditures Mysterious.
These, however, are only minor ex-
| penses. They have nothing to do with
the finer work of the campaign. The
big money goes first into those states
that are doubtful and then to the
debatable ones. AS a rule the doubt
the debatable ones must be content
with the remainder. Both sides watch
the situation so closely as to have an
/ intimation when the state is doubtful
or debatable.
During the closing days of the cam
paign of 1888, both Mr.. Clarkson of
the Republican and Calvin s Brice of
the Democratic national committee
/ placed West Virginia among the
doubtful states. The Democrats spent
| s40,o 900 while the Republicans spent
! $50. 900 there. Indiana was, of course,
another doubtful state. The nominal
ltion of Benjamin Harrison. who had
Represented it in the United States