The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1889-01-10

full and Legitimate purposes? By strict
construction not only the offer of money
or property to influence voter, but the
promise Of any favor, however small, as
a consideration for his voting partica-
lar ticket, is violation Of the intent of
the law, prohibiting bribery at elections.
There can be no doubt but that the
great proportion of the money contrib
uted to conduct the campaign was not
expended for objects which the law JUS
titles The people cannot be made to
believe that the $4,000 sent by Presi-
dent Cleveland to the Democratic Ma
tional Committee was expected to be
used for legitimate purposes, or for such
only as the law approves; and it must
have been we'll understood that the
spirit of the law regulating the priyi-
lege Of the right of suffrage would not
be complied with in the use of the mon
ey. 1t will not be claimed that any
one political party is any more liable to
the charge Of bribery than another;
they all probably resorted to the common
methods in conducting elections The
extravagant use of money in National
elections, and its corrupting influence,
is quite certain to be considered before
the national contest in 1892. The EN-
ployment Of millions of money for CON
trolling votes is a dangerous investment:
if the time shall come when votes are
bought and sold like merchandise, the
liberties Of the people will end, and
government be overthrown
The remedy for the political condi-
ton of affairs here mentioned is attain
able; it has been tried and is not mere
experiment, but successful Australia
has representative form Of govern
ment allied to England, which has been
established over thirty years The
method of voting is so regulated as to
prevent the possibility Of fraud, bribery
or interference with the freedom of vot-
ers. So we'll has this system worked in
Australia that it has been adopted in
England, where it has done away with
all excitement at the polls, and rendered
the places of voting as quiet as business
at bank. The details of this plan for
voting, which has proved so satisfactory,
will at some future time be given.
But should the States Of the Union
refuse to make available what has been
fonnd to be practical reform in other
countries, there is hope Of Compression
al legislation to arrest the indirect bar
gaining and selling of votes.
The extravagant use Of money in
elections, National and Congressional, is
receiving attention in Congress. A bill
has been introduced into the House of
Representatives, prohibiting improper
use of money in conducting elections.
The provisions Of the bill are perhaps
more stringent than the wrong COM
planned Of will bear, inasmuch as it has
not yet been fully brought before the
people through the press. 1t enacts
in general terms that it shall be unlaw-
fnl for any person to solicit or receive
money to be employed, III any manner.
in Presidential or N,noressional cleo
t'nns, unless for the necessary expenses
Of printing tickets au.I lnlircal docu
ments. The proposed law DISTINGUISHES
for five years any person for giving or
receiving money for vote. The bill
is antagonized by Members of Congress,
and whatever may be the disposition of
it by the present Congress, the progress
of reform will be sure to carry forward
something like it at no distant future.