The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-01-09
STOP BLEEDING CANDIDATES.
Blackmailing Practices in Our Campaigns
Should BE Put to an End.

should BE Put to an End.
To THE EDITOR-Sir: In the recent contri-
buttons to The SENTINEL many valuable sug-
gestions have been made as to the methods to
be adopted to secure honest elections; but il
seems to me that the simplest method of pre-
venting bribery and corruption has been en-
tirely overlooked. Every one having the least
familiarity with political matters knows that
candidates for some of our county Offices spend
several thousands of dolars-often as much be-
ing paid out TO secure a nomination, as after
ward, to secure the election. What is this
money used for? In the contest between Ray
and Carpenter for the joint senatorship in
Shelby and Decatur counties number OF wit
nesses testified that Carpenter, the republican
candidate, had paid them sums ranging from
twenty to fifty dollars-perhaps more-to Sc
cure their assistance toward his election.
Some Of these witnesses were democrats. OF
course each one of them denied that any OF
this money was received as a bribe, but each
of the witnesses voted for the man whose
money he had received: and so much of the
money as he did not retain for his own
paid out to secure, In such way as the witness
thought best the votes OF others for this SEN
atoral candidate.
And this sort OF business was not confined to
on in every township in the state. Tens OF
thousands of dollars were in this
way paid out ostensibly as com
pensatiOn for the recipients time and
labor; as matter of fact, well understood by
both parties, it was, in nine cases out OF ten,
nothing more nor less than bride. think 1T
perfectly safe to say that in Marion county
candidates committees paid the rent OF
hundred persons as a means OF securing
their votes demand for such pay
hofp nj 10
that if not paid by that party it could be by the
other; and of course the receiver would be
under "moral" obligation to stand by his
friends A "ward-worker" goes TO n candidate
and demands anywhere from twenty-five cents
TO as many dollars, TO be used in treating his
friends, accompanying the demand with the
statement that "the boys must be kept in
good humor." In innumerable ways are these
demands made upon candidates and commit
tees, and they are submitted to by both
parties.
All this money is paid with the understand
ing that il is TO get votes for the candidate. 1t
is not only bribery but bribery of the most
corrupt and demoralizng kind. If voters are
10 be purchased, il would be infinitely better to
abolish all laws prohibiting II, and let the buy
ing be done openly st the polls. The candidate
will then know what he IS getting for his
money, and decent citizens will see exactly what
candidate and what voter is responsible for the
dishonesty practiced.
Is there any remedy? Make it felony, pun
ishable with ineligibility to vote or hold Office
for determinate period, to pay, ask for or re-
ceive any money or other compensation for
services rendered, or TO be rendered, in aid of
any mans candidacy for nomination or election,
except for such services as may be necessary
in the legitimate conduct of campaign. These
necessary expenses are exceedingly limited.
They do not include pay for any work in
drumming up the voters. peddling tickets,
or in fact, any work done at the polls. 1t does
not include services rendered by ward bum
mers, in treating the boys and keeping them in
the party traces. Stop all this business of
bleeding candidates, and at the same time
shut of from candidates the opportunity OF Sc
curing votes by this sort OF corruption, and
you will have accomplished more in the direc-
ton of honest nominations and elections than
can be done by any system OF holding cleo
tions that has yet been can be devised.
indianapolis Dec. 81. b.