New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-11
MONEY IN ELECTIONS.


One Of the lessons of Tuesdays election which
ought TO sink into the minds of Republican
managers and govern their plans and conduct
hereafter is that huge campaign fund is not
a prerequisite Of victory nor the lack OF one a
guarantee Of defeat. The committees OF both
parties have been accustomed in recent years
| to make the money at their disposal chief ele-
| mcnt in calculating the chances of success
| Bu, at the same time, there has been strong
desire on each side to cleate the impression that
the other side had the largest financial resources
| This in Itself is practical confession that a
multitude Of voters are Offended by pro0fs
| that immense expenditures are being made TO
| carry an election. Thus Mr.. Cleveland was
| shrewd enough when n year ago. lie publicly
| accused his adversaries OF collecting an enor-
nous corruption fund, contemplate as his pre-
tence Of virtuous Indignation now appears in
| the light of Mr.. Van Aliens appointment 10 the
Italian mission in return for his contribution
| Of $4,000 to promote Mr.. Cleveland's election.
Constituted and controlled as il is, we are not
prepared TO say that the Democratic party could
accomplish any large general results without the
| lavish use Of money in its principal strong
holds 1t is practically certain that Tammany
| could not have established the desp0tism which
| has been 50 profitable TO the party at large in
the past without the rich streams Of revenue
which it gathers from many sonrccs-most or
them vile-and distributes again where they
| will produce heavy crop of votes But the
| fact that Democracy has often seemed TO pros
| per Just in proportion to its wickedncSs affords
| no reasonable excuse for thinking that similar
methods will aid the Republican party. II is
absolutely certain, on the contrary. that the
Republican party would not thrive but perish
if il were so treated. A vast majority Of its
members would desert it before they would per-
nit il to triumph by such methods. They be
long TO it merely because they believe that on
the whole. in its organization rs we'll as in ts
membership ii is honest, unseliisl, straight
forward and patriotic.
A great deal Of money can. as a general rule,
BE- advantagcousy expended i'll perfectly legit-
innate manner To set before the people the
issues which it is their business and duty 10
determine. and unQueStionaby there may be
political campaigns in which very large
amount can be properly used for that purpose.
Bnt no man who has had experience in po-
titcal work doubts that considerable proper
ton of every Republican campaign fund is I'M
wisely spent. il not wholly wasted And the
larger the fund the greater is the risk Of mis-
management 1t is unhapply true further
more. that not Il trifiing fraction Of the total
finds lis way sooner or later into hands which
make a shameful use Of ii. This seems like an
accusation OF Republicans, and that is precisely
what we mean il TO bcof Republicans who are
not fit TO belong to the party and whom We
should rejoice t. drive out of it, The only thing
TO get them into Jail if possible. as soon as pos
sibc. and for rs long term as possible. They
are the worst and meanest enemies Of the coun-
try. and Of anv party which sincerely desires
10 serve the country. If every man Who ever
gave or took political bride could he impris-
onod at hard labor. and everybody who Is
capable Of such degradation could be held up
to public scOrD. the common honor and welfare
would be intellectually enhanced.
Something has been done or ut least attempt
ed. in recent legislation. 10 diminish the dis
honest use Of money in elections. Candidates
for Office in this State are compelled 10 declare
Oh oath what they have spent in their cam
paigns and how they have spent II. Bu the
design OF the enactment H. easily frustrated, MS
Il brief experience has shown The law ought
to 20 much further Campaign committees
ought TO be compelled to account for every cent
that they receive and disbursc in every cleo
ton, local. State and National, and as individ-
uals TO take the consequences of corruption or
perjury If they can be- proved guilty Of either.