The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-04-08
COST OF ELECTIONS IN ENGLAND

One reads much in the English
newspapers about the corruption of
American politics but statement re-
Gently made that the election contest
now raging in England will cost over
$lO, 1000, 600 indicates that England is
not very free from bribery, and black
mail, and dishonest means of infiu-
encing voters, and Americans might
retort on their overcensorious critics
by advising them to follow their own
moral counsels.
The amount of money spent in
securing election from 45 English and
Welsh county-seats at the last cleo
ton was $2,2OO,OOO, and only seventy.
eight seats we're contested, the candi-
dates for the other seats having walk
over. In North Durham, four candi-
dates spent, or rather returned as
spent,-for the real expenses are doub-
le the amount ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
snug sum of $141,O00. The cost of
contesting the English and Welsh
boroughs was trifle more than that
of the counties. The amount expend-
ed in Scotland, where there are only
sixty seats, was $500 900. while in Ire
land, where there are LOB seats, the ex-
penditure was but $400, 900, of which
the members Of the two English par
ties spent 1926 900, aud the fifty-nine
Home Rulers obtained their seats at
the modest price of 81. .25O each.
But, as was before stated, we pub
fished expenditures of candidates on
which the above figures are based
give but faint idea of the cost of an
election, for only the amount of the
legitimate expenses is made public.
No,Qention is made of the enormous
amount spent in corrupting electors.
A few cases might be mentioned in
proof of this. The election at Bridge
water, small town in England, some
years ago cost the successful candi-
date, who, by the way, was afterwards
unseated for corrupt practices, $780,
600; and his election for Dublin City
in 1868 cost Guinness, the brewer,
100000. The unfortunate Mr.. Mum
ster, who shot himself at st. Louis
few years ago. spent SIS, 1000 in obtain
ing his election for the borough of
Mallow, which contains only 268 vo.
ters.
The modus.operandi by which vo-
ters are secured is something like this:
The candidate or his agent goes into
the voters saloon,-the rumseller is
no less open to conviction in England
than in America,-calls for drink,
hands out Flo note, and forgets to
ask for the change. In the country
districts matters are managed differ
emily. The candidate employs the
farmers son as agent, hires his team
to convey voters to the polls, or buys
his horses and cattle at unexpectedly
high prices. If the elector fails to be
convinced under these circumstances
his case is hopeless.
The operation of the Ballot act too
has, to some degree, checked the ex-
penditure of money In these ways, for
the free and Independent elector may
take the generous candidates money
and vote as he pleases, and no person
will be the wiser, unless he should be-
come slightly inebriated through his
suddenly-acquired wealth and 'blab'
the transaction.
The Campaign Committees of the
great parties of America can scarcely
ever expect to be able to expend half
the amount spent in England in car
rying on the canvass of their respec-
i've parties, and yet the number of
voters here is out of all comparison,
greater than the number in England.
Are we more virtuous than our cous-
ms after all2 Has England to be our
pupil, rather than our teacher, as to
in politics? Shall it become
he duty of the American press TO
ecture her about her evil ways and
ler political and moral turpitude?