Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-06-02
Friday, June 2, 1922.
CAMPAIGN EXPENSES

enjoyed an excellent national repu-
tation for several years. His high
character should have been appre-
ciltcd in every hamlet in Pennsyl-
yan!a. He recently entered the pri-
maries for Governor in that state
in opposition to the Organization"
and won. His expense account filed
amounted TO s121,7o5 and it is said
a postal card publicity undertaken
prior to his campaign cost around
$4,000. 1t becomes somewhat inter-
csting to note the effect Of this on
the public mind.
1t is easy to imagine the effect on
the Democratic orators of the Pat
Harrison type. Chortling with glee
they make comparisons with the
expenditure Of around 100000 by
Newberry. Facetiously they point to
those who criticised Newberry and
are now upholdng Pinchot. The
latter say there was no possible way
in which the ring" could have been
o,erthrown save by just such an
expenditure as pinchot made, and
some, including the Public Ledger,
declare ii to lie an argument for
rather than against the direct pri-
mary. 1t is gratifying that none of
them accuse PInchot Of resorting
70 corrupt practices, and we credit
il. but in The interest Of fair play
would like to know wherein New
berry himself should be held guilty
and P.nchot innocent.
Now as TO the saving grace of the
direct primary under which it costs
over Sl2o00l to defeat an organiza-
ton candidate in the State of Penn
), lvania ana establish another organ
ization, what would have happened
IL P.nchot had not possessed the
money to spend? Manifestly others
would have had to provide it. But,
as Wa understand it. that was just
what the dircc' primary was to pre-
vent, that under it the candidates
should not come under obligations
10 those advancing the money, which,
considering The low salaries of public
officials they could hardly be ex-
pectod to pay back-in cash.
We do not see how one may avoid
tho conclusion that either the cand-
date unler the direct primaries must
have lot If money of his own to
oXpend or must come under obliga-
tions TO those who do have and lend
him the necessary funds. Is that
what We waut?. Is that any i'm
proycmert on the old conditions?
Rather doesn't it give the rich fellow
regardless q his character an even
F.e1'rr advantage?
Senator Pomcrine DemocraO of
Chio has Introduced a biu in the
5 nate that would limit the cam
~ IN expenses az Senator to
$4,000, ana II a Representative to
5000. Thu hll further, provides that
the candidate must file with the clerk
az the House or Senate an itemized
list Of contributions to his campaign
fund, also g precise statement of
expenditures, whether incurred by the
candidate himself or by his agents.
The In also provides that congress
sIoHal candidate must not promise
any political Office as a reward for
assistance during the campaign.
ono clause Of the bill states that
such personal expenses as travel,
stationery postage and printing
would not la counted.
II may occur to the reader that
rs much might honestly be expended
in senatorial as in a gubcrnator-
!al campa,rr; also. that if Pinchot
reodcd 20 Ind $4,000 a candidate
Cor SOM light be hampered by
no less - and rich mans club"
would So l. ..crally instead of fgura-
lively apply to the United States
Senate. IL SO. then Pomcrene has
SGT the allowance much too low.
r.nchot, it is urged by his friends,
lad TO overcome the power of the
o.sanization and build up another
10 replace il; that expenditures made
through an organization may be con-
crdlcd. also that very much may
lo done without apparent eXpendi-
turc. So. il in the future someone
wishes 10 defeat Pinchot's organi-
2at.on. he VIII have TO come across"
lavishly. This all is logical, but it
IS far from being the conditions into
which we were told the direct pri-
mary would lead US. Instead of the
lofty plateau commanding inspiring
visions il is the veritable muck itself
How avoid Il? And why should we
tax ourselves for cure-all which
affords no relief?
The latest charge against Con"