Underlying the system of contributions by candidates is the uncritical view that the latter should pay largely because they are to enjoy personally the honours and emoluments of office. Nominees, at least successful nominees, are deemed to be the special favourites of the party, and hence morally obligated to contribute generously to its support. Little consideration is given by those holding such views to the tremendous tax laid upon the vitality of candidates by the strenuous modern methods of campaigning, certainly a burden large enough in most cases to justify their exemption from heavy financial contributions in addition. But there are other and more serious logical defects in the theory justifying such impositions upon candidates. Normally, of course, assessments of this character must be recouped out of the earnings of the office, although it is said sometimes to happen that the sum demanded for campaign expenses is larger than the salary for the entire term of occupancy. One of our states, as we have seen, attempts to limit candidates’ contributions to a certain ratio of official earnings.[94] The clear implication of all this is that the salary of office is considered to represent first, a payment for the public services rendered by the office holder, and second, a surplus over the preceding which should be devoted to campaign expenses. If we accept this view we virtually accept the principle of the payment of campaign expenses in part at least by the state. One who repudiated this principle might therefore consistently demand the reduction of all official salaries by the amount of the campaign surplus which they contain over and above the value of services actually rendered by incumbents. As a matter of fact such a reduction would be most unfortunate, the truth being, as we have already had occasion to note, that most official salaries in the United States are too low. And, finally, a consistent believer in the principle of the payment of campaign contributions by the state might object to its realisation through the underhanded and coercive method of assessments levied upon candidates. Some perfectly frank and legal method of administering the subsidy would be far preferable.