Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-05-07
HONEST ELECTIONS.
Bill to Prevent the
Buying of Honors.
PUBLIC MUST KNOW FACTS
Unanimous Report Presented to the
Massachusetts, Legislature.

Bosroy, May 7.-Senator Smith, chair
man OF the committee on elections, has
presented TO the legislature the unani'
nous report Of that committee, q bill pro
hibiting money contributions to campaign
funds or committees in certain cases, and
providing that In all cases they shall be
publicly accounted for. Under the pro
visions OF this act no person shall. in order
to promote his own nomination, directly
or indirectly contribute and promise to
pay any valuable thing, except for per-
sonal expenses for travelling, writing,
printing, postage, telegraphing. etc, but
these are limited to those which are
directly incurred and paid by him.
Neither is he allowed to promise 10 ap-
point or secure the appointment, nomina-
ton or election OF another person to Office
in order to promote his own nomination
or election, except tnat he may announce
or define his own choice or purpose in re-
lation to an election in which he may be
called 10 take part, IL he shall himself be
elected to the public Office for whi0o&he is
q candidate.
A person nominated may make n volun-
tary payment or promise OF money TO
political committee for the
General Purposes of the Committee.
but such committee must consist OF three
or more persons engaged in aiding or de-
feating the success of apolitical party or
principle II must have treasurer, who
is a voter, who must keep a detailed ac-
count Of all moneys which shall he re-
ceiyed by or promised to the committee or
disbursed by 1t. And this accounting ap-
plies to persons acting on behalf OF the
committee.
The TREASURER of such committee. where
the sums received or disbursed exceed IL
the aggregate SEQ. shall within thirty days
after election file Il statement setting
forth all the receipts, disbursements and
Liabilities OF the committee and Of every
person acting in it's behalf. Such state
ment such include the amount in each
case received, the name of the person or
committee from whom it was received and
the date Of its receipt, and, except where
such expenditure or disbursement was
made to another political committee. shall
clearly state the purpose for which 1t
was expended or disbursed The state
ment shall also give the date and amount
of every existing unfuliilied promise or IL
ability, both to and from such committee,
remaining uncancelled and in force at the
time the statement is male with the
name Of the person or committee to or
from whom the unfulfilled promise or liza
bility exists, and
Clearly State the Purpose
for which the promise or liability was
made or incurred. And every other per-
son who receives or disbnrses money as
provided abo<k to an amount exceeding
$50, except for personal expenses when
himself candidate, shall make return
as prov ided above in the case of commit
tee. And all payments of money must be
made in the persons own name
No committee or person is permitted to
solicit money from any candidate, and
candidates are prohibited from making
payments or promises Of payments on any
such demands.
The statements OF receipts and expendi-
lures must be made to the clerk of the
city or town in which the political head
quarters are maintained, and jurisdiction
is given to the superior courts to compel n
compliance with these provisions.
All statements which are filed in ac-
cordance with the provisions of this act
shall he preserved for not less than fifteen
months from the time of the election to
which they relate, and shall during that
period be
Open to Public Inspection
under reasonable regulations.
Every payment, unless less than 81,
must be vouched for by receipted bill,
which must be preserved for six months
from the election TO which they relate.
Penalties are affixed for violation of the
different provisions of the act. varying
from fine not exceeding $1,000, or for inn
| prisonment in Jail for not more than one
| year. or by both fine and imprisonment
The act, which is to go into effect on
Jan. next, applies to all public elections,
except elections Of town officers in towns,
and applies to elect ions on the part Of the
general courts and of city councils, TO
caucuses and conventions for the nomina.
| tion of candidates to be voted for, and for
the nomination OF candidates to lie voted
| for at such elections. -
| Legislative Proceedings.
A bill was reported in the house to en-
able Boston to pension iremcu.
The bill To increase the term Of mayors
to two years was passed to third read
reading in the senate. Newspaper report.
ers are to be left out Of the Worlds fair
delegation.