Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1892-08-27
Money In Politics.

otaleS StSuiucaut s)thptohs VI rising
protest against the use of money in
politics. In one of the Ohio Congress
sional districts, for example. a leading
Democrat whose name had been prom
inently mentioned in connection with
the Congressional nomination emphat-
ically declined to become candidate,
preferring to wait until"the day when
manhood, not money, will be trium-
plant in positions Of honor and trust.
Commenting ON the evil of the cor
rupt use of campaign funds, the
Cleveland Plain Dealer declares that
.ahe work of reform cannot begin a
minute too soon or be pressed with
too much energy"
That money has been at the bottom
of the most fragrant abuses and scan
.dals which have disgraced American
politics is matter of common noto-
riety. In support of this it is not
necessary to cite the general charges
that have been brought against both
parties, sometimes, perhaps, reckless
IL, but ofteuer with toe much truth,
that high offices have been secured by
wealth, that States have been carried
by the party which raised the largest
campaign fund, that candidates have
been put on tickets solely because Of
their ''barrels," and so on.
1t is enough to recall the numerous
Jaws which it has been deemed neces-
sary to enact for the suppression of
the evil. The federal statute prohib-
ting political assessments was u legis-
lative protest against the abuse of
money in politics. OF the same ma
ture is the law of this State requiring
the filings of statements of campaign
expenses. In nearly every State of
the Union the Reform Ballot law has
been passed, and its chief object is to
prevent the corruption of voters by
money.
1t is to be hoped that such corrup-
ton is an abuse of the past rather
than of the present Never has there
been a campaign in which there has
been less occasion for the use Of mon
ey or less excuse for its abuse than
this one. Never has been less need
or reason than now for large funds
for proper and legitimate uses, to say
nothing of educational and "mis-
siOnary" work.
Ia this respect the present campaign
is exceptionally unique. Mr.. Cleve.
land is now candidate for the third
time and Mr. Harrison for the second
Their personal records and views are
familiar to the people. One has served
four and the other nearly four wears
in the White House. Their admins
trations are matters of history well
known to the country. Between the
two parties which they represent there
IS but one practical issue generally
recognized, and that relates to the tar
III. On this the difference IS one OF
degree rather than kind. Both are in
favor of tariff. The only difference
Is that one wants higher tariff than
the other.
The people of the country are now
in the position of jury on a second
trial. All the evidence was submit
ted, every argument made and every
plea advanced on the first trial four
years ago. We are simply going over
the same ground now. Tie evidence,
arguments and the pleas are the
Saine' lhe verdict may or may not be
different. The people are intelligent
and well informed. They have been
kept well posted BY the press and
the campaign orators. They will
deliberate and vote as they think best.
1t is obvious, then, that the cam.
paign opens an exceptionally narrow
field for the legitimate use of money!
unless carrying doubtful States by
more doubtful means be considered
legitimate. In view of all THIS let us
hope, for the credit of the nation and
common decepcy, that the canvass