Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-06-05
CAMPAIGNS COST MONEY.

uoupecdiy the popular candidate tor the Republican
nomination for governor Of Pennsylvania. We have
seen nothing alleged against the capacity or per
sonal character of Mr.. Alter, his opponent. But
Alter was recognized as the candidate Of the party
organization in Pennsylvania, otherwise, the ina
chine" The people generally have no strong liking
for political machines, and they have developed
strong dsapproval of the one which operates in
Pennsylvania. In addition to the fact that Mr..
Pinchot's record has commended him to the Amer
lean public generally, he was opposed to the state
machine, and was opposed by it. although there are
certain exceptions to be made to this, as there were
riffs in the harmony which has usually character
lied the organized political activities Of the Quaker
state. The success of Mr.. Pinchot at the primary,
therefore has given general satisfaction in the co,,r-
try at large. .
The Pennsylvania law places no limit on cam
paign expenditures, but it requires candidates to
file statements of their expenditures. The required
statements have been filed and from them it is
learned~that Pinchot's expenses were, $4,000, most
OF which he paid out of his own pocket, while the
expenses of Alter were only a little over 81 100, Of
which s. 1000 was given by one committee. Pinchot
is a very wealthy man Alter is not. On the face
Of the situation it may appear, therefore. that a very
rich man has won an election by the lavish use Of
money, defeating a poor man who had practically
no money to spend.
OF course no one will maintain that the Alter
campaign cost only 81 900. No political campaign
that amounts to anything is conducted for any such
sum. There are very considerable expenses which
must be met, either by the candidate himself, or
by others. In the Pennsylvania case the-expenses
Of one campaign were borne largely by the can
didate himself. who happened to have the money to
spend, while the other campaign was financed by
committees OF one sort and another, scattered
throughout the state.
There is no question here of money being used
improperly. The point is that a political campaign
OF any consequence costs aot of money. Whether
the money is paid blythe candidate himself, or by
wealthy friends, or is collected in dollar subscirp-
tons from the people at large, a lot of money must
be collected and spent if the issues upon which the
candidate makes his appeal are to be presented in
diligently and effectively.
Among the Pinehot expenditures were $11 900
for copies Of the voters lists, and $43. 900 for send
ing one postal card to each voter. Such expendi-
lures are obviously proper and necessary. and the
money to meet them must be paid by somebody.
Those who approve of the candidacy of Mr.. Pinchot
Will say that his money was spent in a worthy cause.
and that it is fortunate that there is to be found a
man of large means who will devote his wealth to
such a useful purpose. Had the financial situation
been reversed, and had Mr.. Alter spent $1,000 900.
or so, and wen the nomination, the same people
would have held up their hands in holy horror.
If a man is to be elected to any important office,
either he must spend a lot of money, or somebody
else must spend it. not necessarily for him. but in
the promotion Of his candidacy. The primary dec
ton laws as they work out generally. tend to place
the burden of expcHse on the individual, and in so
far as as they do this they make it difficult for any
but a wealthy man to be elected to public office.