Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-12-12
Money for Political Purposes.

Money for Political Purposes.
The principal debate of the SESSION, thus
far, has been caused by a resolve intro
duced bv MIR. Beck Of Kentucky. instruct
ing the Committee on the Judiciary to
investigate the action of the Republican
Congressional Committee in regard to
levying and collecting political assess
ments from officials and employees Of the
government.
Immediately after Mr.. Beck's resolution
was offered. Senator Hale introduced a
substitute extending the scope of the pro
posed investigation, 50 as to inquire in
like manner into the proceeding, OF the
Democratic Congressional Comm .ttee in
regard to raising money for political pur-
poses from representatives and senators
in Congress. and especially from the
liquor dealers associations and brewers
associations in the several States. Mr..
Hale supported his resolve by remarks in
which he declared he had NJ objection TO
investigation OF the republican committee,
but he considered it just and proper that
the democratic committee should also be
investigated. With the investigation thus
broadened. so rs to include both commit
toes, he was content to have the exami-
nation go on, but not otherwise. He
mentioned the fact that the campaign
committee OF the democrats was composed
of the richest men of the party. manitestly
placed there because of their wealth and
ability to stand heavy drafts upon them
tor pecuniary aid in carrying on the
campaign. that candidates were nomi-
mated from the wealthy for like reasons,
and that the liquor dealers and brewers
associations were levied upon for political
purposes.
Mr.. Hale's substitute was not received
by the democrats in u very graceful spirit.
They objected to it As IN attempt to defeat
the object of Mr.. Becks resolve. Mr.
Hale denied that such was his intent. He
declared himself opposed to the lavish
use of money in political campaigns fr
questionable purposes. and would like to
strike blow ut the practice. whether it
came from one party or another. by max
ing the investigation cover the whole
ground and include both parties.
Evidently Mr.. Hale stands upon i'm
pregnable ground. The true course is TO
make the investigation thorough. to ex-
pose the evil of political assessments and
corruption funds wherever they exist. 1t
is manifestly unfair to make one-sided.
partizan, partial examination into the sub
ject. 1t would be folly to investigate with
out going deep down to the root of the
matter. II the law against political as
sessment has proved faulty and weak it
can be amended without any investigation
OF the sort proposed; but to make thor
ough work for the purpose Of uprooting
the evils arising from the use of large
sums OF money to influence the elections
which is the thing to be desired-the sub
stitute introduced by Mr.. Hale should be
adopted.
The reluctance which the democrats in
the Senate manifest to have the doings OF
their committee looked into wears a bad
look for them, indicating that their pro-
ceedings will not bear investigation. Let
US have the light of day let in upon these
liquor dealers and brewers associations
IS we'll as upon the other side. In his re-
marks Mr.. Hale said:
lwant this committee TO not only see what
amount has been derived from government
employees and how it has been expended, but
to investigate and disclose to the country why
it is that the party of which the senator from
Kentucky is 50 important member. in Sc
lecting its campaign committee did not con
tent itself with eminent names here in Con-
Rress but went broadcast all over the country
and, as the names which have had printed
in my amendment show. sought out the rich
men of its party to be put upon its committee.
for but one plain. unmistakable reason. |
know of no other reason why it was that the
democratic party in making up its campaign
committee introduced into it Mr.. Alexander
Mitchell, who has no participation in politics
At present, who is not and has not been for
years IN Congress, but is known as a man of
colossal wealth, ready and willing to contri-
butte to democratic funds. Other names upon
the list here disclose the same condition. as
w. H. Barnum of Connecticut; A. J. Van
derpoel of New York Calvin ; Brice, Adoph
Meyer, Jefferson T.. Levi, and others Ii il
committee that stands to-day representing
hundred millions OF dollars of property. and
the only interest that it has is in the success
Of the democratic party, and the only object
ef placing these names upon this committee