The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-12-25

ouob spdy tueAb IN huy uhHle OGueT tuhu
that OF the person by whom tho pay
ment 10 made.
No political committee shall solicit
money to be used in an election, and no
person shall Contribute 10 d political
committee IL such COMMITTEES has solic-
tied such payment from him. The state
ment required to DO aworn to should be-
tiled with the county clerk, and ahall be
open to public inspection. IL any per-
son fails to file the statement required,
or IL any person files q statement which
does not conform to the law or to the
truth, upon the petition of any candi-
date voted for, or OF any three persons
qualified to vote at the election on 40.
count of which the expenditures are al
legged to have been made, the district
court shall have full equity powers to
compel the statement to be fled, and no
petetion brought in court shall be with
drawn without the consent OF the attor-
ney general OF the state. Persons who
testify N any proceedings In relation to
the statement shall not be liable to
criminal prosecution for any matters or
causes in respect to which he shall be
examined, except to prosecution for per-
jury committed in such testimony. All
statements required to be fled shall be
sworn to as correct and true. Viola
tions of the law shonld be punished by
fine or Imprisonment.
The bribery statutes to be included in
a Corrupt Practices Act should declare
that every person who advances, or pays,
or causes to be paid, any money to, or to
the use of, any other person, with the
intent hat such money shall be expend-
cd in bribery or in corrupt practices, or
who knowingly pays, or causes to be
paid, any money to any person in dis
charge of any money expended in bri-
berry, shall be guilty OF a felony.
Provision should be made Furnishing
any person who directly or indirectly
makes approaches to any candidate, or
any person acting in behalf of a candi-
date, and asks for or offers to agree or
contract for any money or gift, for him
self or any other person, for voting or
agreeing to vote, in any manner at such
election, or for having voted, or for hav-
ing induced any other person to vote at
any election.
1t should also DO made a misdemeanor
to give, or cause to be given, to any cleo
tor on the day of voting. on account OF
such elector having voted. or being
about to vote, any drink, or refresh
ment, or any money, or tickets, to ena-
BILE such elector to procure drink, or re-
freshment. This last clause would ma
~terially aid in the enforcement OF the
present state law forbldding the sale Of
liquor on election days, until after the
polls close.
The foregoing outline may serve to
explain the principle and object of the
proposed law. Its utility must be APP
parent, and corrupt practices statutes
are certain to be generally adopted.
Publicity in expenses and privacy in
voting must sooner or later govern all
elections among people who wish for
honest results.
There are always those who deplore
laws to protect the purity of elections,
and who ridicule legislation tending
toward that end, but the masses Of the
people hail with intense satisfaction all
legislation which will help make cleo
tions cleaner and will protect those who
have the good of the state at heart, and
n,,piob fhpoa who baya not
Several prominent writers upon bal
lot reform, for instance Mr.. jerks, favor
legal limitations upon the amounts to
be expended by candidates, and in case
of violation of the law upon proofs of
corrupt practice the forfeiture of the
Office obtained by corruption. This is
the law in several countries and was
once recommended in New York.
1t is to be hoped that the subject will
receive consideration this winter, and
that a good law will be enacted.
WILLIAM FL. Hunt.