The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-27
PURE ELECTIONS.
What the New Law Is
Throughout.
SOME RADICAL INNOVATIONS
Non-Partisans i'm Oakland, Alameda
and San Jose Should Give 1t
Prompt Attention.

Inc purify OF elections act mas TeceiFeu
the Governors signature and is now law.
1t is similar to laws which have been en-
acted by the legislators OF New York and
some other States and which have done a
great deal to lessen political corruption in
those commonweaiths. Those laws have
not been greatly admired by political bosses,
but they have operated to the entire salts
faction of the public and to a majority of
candidates for public offices. and the new
law will no doubt prove as generally salts
factory in this State.
The new law adds but one feature TO the
election machinery-that is a committee to
be appointed by each organization repre-
senting a party or principle TO solely re-
ceye and disburse all funds raised and ex-
pended In the interests of the candi-
dates of such party.
Two other proceedings are required. One
is a true and temized statement of all re-
ceipts and expenses by the committees
mentioned and the other is q similar state
ment by each candidate, these statements
TO become public records.
The rest Of the act regulates the purposes
and amounts of election expenditures, for
bids many things heretofore not regulated
by law, and prescrlbes heavy penalties Tor
the inffaciion OF the important provisions
4
to secure greater purity IN elections by for
bidding acts intended to influence the re-
suit in manner that is corrupt or against
public policy. The law protects candidates
from the unprincipled leeches that ''cinch'
them before election for all or more than
they will make during their term of office.
The new law is OF immediate interest and
importance in the cities of Oakland. Ala
media and San Jose, where elections are
soOp to be held. and where the law viii be
first put In operation.
In these cities N0n-Partisan organizations
are making gallant fights for clean govern
ment by competent men who will be free
from the corrupt domination of political
bosses. and, since the law went into
effect upon Its approval. Ii is important that
the NOn-PaItisan committees thoroughly
understand it and regulate their acts and
their campaign plans accordingly. To
afford this understanding, The CALL pre-
sents an abstract Of the law which con-
stItutes complete statement Of its pro-
visions.
TIE act has for,y-five sections contains
over 10000 words and if published in full
would occupy over six columns In this
paper.
1t is entitled, IAN act to promote the
purity of elections by regulating the con-
duct thereof, and 10 support the privilege
of free suffrage by prohibiting certain acts
and practices in relation thereto. and pro-
vidlng for the punishment thereof"
Section / of the act requires the filing by
political organizations of certificates Of
nomination as prescribed in sections 1857
and l1SS Of the Political Code, and requires
that,
At the time of filing certificate OF Dom-
nation tie persons signing such certificates OF
nomination shall also lie with the officer author
iZed by law 10 receive and he such certificate
the names OF i've persons, who have accepted In
writing and consented 10 act. selected 10 receive,
eXpend audit aud disbuFse all moneys con
f1euted. donated, subscribed or 10 anywlse fur
nished or raised for the purpose OF aiding or
promoting the election of the candidates for
Office or electors banned in The said certificate Of
nomination or In any manner 10 be used Ia re-
spect OF The conduct ana management OF the
election at which such Candidates 10 be
voted for. The certificate OF nomination
must DOt be received on flied unless accompanied
by lie names OF FIVE persons (cliizens and
electors OF this Staie) 10 compose such commit
lee, together with their written acceptance and
consent 10 act as such committee as required by
this act Tie said. committee shall have the ex-
elusive custody OF all moneys Contributed do
naiea, subscribed OF IN anywlse furnished or
raised iof or on Behalf OF the political party.
eanized assemblaee or body. or candidates rep
resented by said commit c. aud shall disburse
the me Oh proper vouchers, under the diree-
tons OF the BODY or superior authority TO which
II Is subject III there be anyl. IT. for any cause
vacancy shall occur in the membership OF said
committee prior 10 the fifteenth day before the
day oi holding an election. The vacancy must be
flied By The same authority as vacancies In
the list of nominees are filed No vacancy hv
resignation tAerefr0m or refusal to act upon said
commitie- shall occur after the fifteenth day be-
fore the day OF holding election, or until the said
committee shall have COMPLETED and discharged
all OF the dutirs required Of them by this act III
any vacancy be cIea ed by death or legal dIsa-
bility subsequent TO The fifteenth day before the
day OF holding an election, such vacancy shall
not be filed, and the remaining members shall
discharge and complete The duties required Of
said committee as II such vacancy had not been
created.
Sec. 2. Within tweHty-one days after the com
pletioA OF the Official canvass OF tie result Of
The election said committee snail file, as herein
after provided. an itemtzed statement showing
In detail all lbe moneys contributed, donated
subscribed, or In anywise furnished or received,
TO the use OF the political party. organized as
semblage or body. or any OF all tie candidates
for public Office or electors, coming under the
control OF sueh committee. or INTO their custody,
directly or indirectly, together with the name OF
each contributor, donor subscriber, OF source
from which such moneys were derived, ard an
itemIZed statement OF all moneys expended.
such statement shall give the names OF the vaFl-
Gus persons 10 whom such moneys were paid,
ihe specific nature OF each item by whom the
service was performed and the purpose for which
II was expended. There shall be attached to
such sfat-ment an affidavit, subscribed and
sworn TO by each member OF said committee,
setting forth 10 substance that The statement
thus made is in all respects true. and that the
same Is a full and detailed statement OF all
coming under their control or into their custody
and by them expended directly or indirectly.
Such statement shall be filed In the same office
Ia which * filed the certificate OF their selection
document and open 10 inspection by any citizen
The duty of the candidates Is prescribed
in section 8. as follows:
Sec g. Every candidate who is voted for
al any public election held within tie State
shall. within fifteen days after the day OF hold
ing such election, file, as hereinafter provided.
an itemIzed statement showing IN deiaiI all
moneys paid loaned, contributed, or otherwise
ntEfp al nQo ~ " ar fs
directly. 10 aid Of his election. and all moneys
contributed. loaned, or expended by him. DR.
Iectly OF indirectly. by himself or through any
other person. in aid OF bis election. Such state
ment shall give the names OF the various persons
who paid, loaned. contributed. or otherwise fur
nisIed such moneys in aid OF bis election and
the names OF the vafious persons 10 whom such
moneys were contributed, loaned or paid. the
specific nature OF each item, the service per-
formed, and by whom performed. and tie pur-
pose for which The money was expended. con-
tiibuted, or loaned. There shall be attached 10
such statement an affidavit, subscribed and
sworn to by such candidate. which must be in
substantially the following form:
II the candidate seeks to avoid the re-
sponsibility of any illegal payment made
by any other person In his behalf he shall
set out such illegal payment and disclaim
responsibility therefor.
Candidates for State Offices shall file their
statements with the Secretary Of State All
other candidates shall file their statements
with their County Clerks. who shall file
them as public record with the Coun ty
Recorder.
Section makes it pretty risky for sue
cessful candidate to file an untrue state
ment. X reads:
Sec. 4. Any candidate for 5ilbl'c Office who
| shall refuse or neglect to file, or VINO makes n
false statement OF moneys received or expended,
as prescribed by section 3 OF this aef, shall in
addition TO The punishment for such ofense pra-
scribed by The laws OF this Sta e. forfeit any of
nee 10 which he may have been elected at the
election with reference TO which The statement is
required 10 be made. III IA candidate elected TO q
public office refuses or negeets TO file the state
ment prescribed by section OF This act, no GER
uhcate OF election shall be issued TO him, neither
shall any Official bona presented or offered by
BIN be approved. and the incumbent OF the
Office, unless he Is himself deiauitiBg candl-
date. must not surrender or deliver up said
Office but shall continue 10 discharge the duties
and shall receive the emolunlsnts ihefnof. Ii