The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-02-20
FOR PURIFICATION OF ELECTIONS.

| DcudUOI- Dcdu, VI OU. Idul, luUIO
lduced bill several days ago which
has for it's object the publication o.
elections and more religious super
vision and care of the ballots. 1t also
aims at the abolition of extravaganza
expenditures of money by candidates
to secure their election, and limits
the amount to legitimate basis and
specifies the sum. The provisions OF
| the bill are in full accord with honest
elections, and the author, in prepar-
ing, it had an eye single to the proven
tion of corruption of the elective fran
chise which, be it said to the diScredit
of our country, has grown and thrived
to a point which threatens the very
foundation Of the government. Men
who are honestly elected to Office are
oftimes deprived of their rights, and
the present legislature has fitting eX-
amples of this fact in the cases of
Dunn and SearleS, two gentlemen who
were clearly elected as representative
and senator respectively, but who
were defrauded out of their rights
by chicanery and fraud. The bill
brings under it's provisions all State
officers, including United State Sena-
tor and Congressman, and the expense
attendant upon the election of each of
these is limited to 81 900. County Off
GERS are limited to $500, and town and
city officers are limited to $3.50, except
in cities of $4,000 and upward the
office of Mayor is limited to $500. The
bill provides for the various candi-
dates filing proper notice of such can
didacy with town, city or village clerk,
and if for State Office, or anything
greater than county, with the Secre-
tary of State, giving the name Of the
person who is to act as their agent,
sc. A statement shall also be filed
showing in detail all monies or other
considerations contributed or eXpend-
ed or promised to be paid directly or
indirectly, by him or through any
other person or persons in aid of his
nomination, and there shall be at
tached to such statement an affidavit
subscribed and sworn to by such can
didate that the same is true and full
statement of all moneys or other con-
siderations so contributed or expended
by him, directly or indirectly, or prom
ised to be paid by himself or through
any other person to aid in his nominal
tion. Election expenses are also to be
proved up in like manner.
Mr.. Dean makes it miSdemeanOr
for any newspaper to sell or bargain
away it's influence for any candidate
which, while well intended would prove
of little efficiency, for newspaper so
venal as to hold man up for mOneyas a
consideration for it's support would
perjure itself to evade just punish
ment. In justice to the fraternity,
however, it can be truly said that so
far as Minnesota is concerned there
are very few men indeed, connected
with the publishing business, who do
not support the nominees of their res
pectiye parties from purely patriotic
standpoint, and while the clause refer
red to will do no harm, we believe, as
stated, it will be of little real value.
The penalty for violation of any Of
the provisions of the bill are commend
ably severe. AS whole there is lit
tie to object to in the measure and
much to commend. But it is pecul-
iarly odd commentary on the boasted
virtue of the Alliance members and
their oft repeated denunciation of
money in politics." that when Mr..
Deans bill was presented to the Sen
ate for action on Monday it re-
ceived the unanimous disapproval Of
the Demo. Alliance combine. BY
this act they have put themselves
squarely on record against the enact
ment of an election bill that has for
it's very object the reformation of
things which they have so vehemently
denounced on the stump and in their
private gatherings. Such stand was
to be expected from the Democrats,
as they usually preach one thing on
the stump and exemplify the con-
trary when it comes to acts. But
the Alliance members were, we be-
lieve, elected for the purpose of inaug-
urating needed reforms. They were
supported by a class of farmers who
held the balance of power between the
two leading parties and who felt their
interests and to certain extent those
of the general public, were not recelv-
ing deserved attention, and went in
to this new movement full of hope.
What is the result? The answer is
found in the proceedings daily enact
ed at ST. Paul. The Democrats have
gained control of the so-called Ali.
ance members, and however meritori.
Gus the measure may be, if introduc.
ed and championed by a Republican
it must go the way of the good of the
world.
There will be a day when an &C
counting of stock will be taken. The