The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-01-20
MONEY IN ELECTIONS.
Correct Senti m Q N is.

In concluding his message, Cover
nor Gray, of Indiana, says the fact
that large sums of money are eXpend-
ed at every election to corrupt the
officers of the election boards and
bribe the voter, is having q very de-
basing effect upon the public mind.
In my judgment the Republic cannot
live long in the atmosphere which
now surrounds the ballot box. Mon
eyed corporations, to secure favorable
legislation for themselves, are taking
an active part in elections by furnish
ing large sums of money to corrupt
the voter aud purchase special privil-
eyes from the Government. Ii money
Cap control the decisions At the ballot
box, it will not be long until it can
control its existence. 1t is notorious
fact that the people are fast losing faith
in the purity of our elections. The
ballot is the foundation upon which
Republics rest. When the people be-
come convinced that the decision of
the ballot box no longer expresses
their honest judgment, they will cease
TO vote and take an interest in the
election. When that condition of af-
fairs arrives, we will be at the begin
ming of the end of our free institu-
tions. The casting of the ballot is the
most sacred duty that the American
citizen has to psrtOrm. lie who is
clothed with that sacred prerogative
and values il no higher than a privii-
eye TO be bought and sold, ought to be
dispossessed OF it entirely.
The man who thus eXpends large
sums OF money to secure au Office, IS
a: IN ,oii
" hilc in tho office. He who makes a
ialse count OF the ballots or falsities
the record, or does any other act that
the people at the ballo, box, Ia an eBe-
my to the Government, and commits
treason against it in less manly way
than the man who openly deties it's
power and fires upon Its flag. In the
latter case there may be honesty OF
at least courage, but in tho
fOrmer there is no reaeeming feature.
[ am not unmindful of the fact that q
form OF government
has nothing npOu which to rest except
the virtue OF the people, and unless
the people can rise 10 purer plano OF
political action, all laws looking to tho
OF the ballot will be futile. |
uofC yct COunuOuCC tnC pCOplS,
aud believe that the number who bar
ter away their paivilege 10 small, but
that it is a growing evil, none can de.
ny. The laws upon the statute books
are seemingly sufficient, yet l will |
venture to recommend the enactment
Of law authorizing the Institution Of
4 civil suit against any one who shall
offer, give or receive bribe, the pen
atty 10 be disfranchisement for any |.
period. In that case the
guilty party will not be deprived of
his liberty at al, and preponderauce
Of the evidence will be sufficient. The
law should be made broad enough to
cover every kind OF transaction, such
IS the giving or receiving house rent,
sfforts to employ, or threatening to
discharge from employmsnt,or or to give
better positions, or the use OF any 9TH
,r improper influence, with intent to
control or be controlled in casting the
ballot. The corporations which SO
influence elections or control lcgisla-
ors, and thus debauch moral senti-
aent, should forfeit their franchises.