New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-06-20
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.


The testimony in the Sugar scandal investlga-
ton, meagre and unsatisfactory as II Is nas
brought prominently before the country one fact
which. If not Of alarming significance IS AT leaSt
full Of sugccstiycness TO the political observer.
1t has been no secret among pohticiauS WIN
have any knowledge OF the working methods
and inside machinery of parties that many oi
the great corporations Of the country have
habtually made contributions to the campaign
funds of both political parties 1t haruiy hce'
be said that the corporations making such con-
tributions are those which are either depehuen'
upon legislation or liable TO be directly or lilui
rectly affected thereby. Nor does II nc'u 'N-
tended argument TO demonstrate that 'ic H'"'Nc
for these contributions being clearly ana uhdc-
niably 10 influence legislation, they are HA1c
with corrupt purpose. Large contributions ny
individuals 10 party campaign fiinds are ol
course omen to the suspicion or Interested anu
selfish motives: but contributions by corpora
lions affected by legislation. when made 10 oosi
partics. are nagranuy corrupt with no redcem
ing feature.
And This Is what stands admitted ny MI
Uavcmcycr. the head Of one OF the largest CUT
porations In the country. as having been uohc
nv the Sugar Trust, which he represents. "h"'
was known only 10 the INSIDERS III Po''"'N'
though suspected by the general public Is 10"
in evidence as matter Of record and an es'ap
ushcd fact What has been proved Win r'E'il
70 the Sugar Trust contributions Tor poiu''i
nurposes Is no doubt t1e OF other great COZ
poratlons whose business Is liable To he allec''i
he LEGISLATION. We believe II 10 be a matter Oh
general notorlcty that OF the great corporations
doing business in this State many nave r'S".
larlv contributed 20 the campaign iuhds Oh
both parties Besides, unless common ru'n"'
Is grossly M fault Tammany nan ha'
been for many years In the habt "t l''!'"N
what IS practically an assessment, am r''l'
,dackmail, upon transportation. t'l'EIaph wv
nhone expr,.Ss. insurance and every oihrr KIM
% CORPORATION doing business IN THIS city. IL
does not need 10 bc pointed out that ms i COT
rlption Of the most dangerous sort on IN '""r
nous scale Bu, the representatives, az th'S'
generations Will doubtless say In answer mat
they have no choice In the matter; that hd'hy
70 their trusts compcls them 10 YIELD Wh'h
| called upon 10 stand and deliver as refusaI
would mperil the property Of others IN 'hr'
| kocplng. This appears plausible 10 men Wh'
measure their responsibility as citizens by Nero
| money standards. and hold the conservatism "i
canitnl in higher respect than civic obligations
or the general welfare
| Why should not the constitutional convention
| take this great and growing abuse into '"nNl"
Grafton with n view 10 dcvislng some cihcaci'u'
remedy which. being cngraftcl into the funda
mental law. would De beyond The reach ~ th'
fumblIng and tlnkerng annual legislature ! he
| cyamnlc Of some IL our Western states whlci
| have fallen into the error Of Celebrating c"d'
in the organic act IN order simply 10 insure
ner1nancncc and stability 10 laws deemed
| snecially important u.s. Of course. 10 Ice avodT'
| Every temptation IN that direction should, ah'
no doubt Will. he resisted 10y the Convention
PM II IS 10 be considered yllt the moncyed cor
| poratlons through which 50 larg" pT"por""'
| OF the business Of the country IS transacted nav
| increased enormously IN numbers. IN capi'al hn'
| in influence during the last twenty years an'
that unless limitations are placed upon th'h u
some positive and permanent form lh'y VII
Income sources Of great danger not only u
pur,. politics and honest legislation. but 10 lr'
government itself The subject seems - us Il
bc worthy Of the most serious consideration D.
the Constitutional Convention. Inc dcpaS"
effect OF the enormous expenditures In poh'ich
comnairns which have become so common !
apparent to every one \ tap-root OF TINS CT!
ing evil nav he found In The contribution
either volunteered by or extortcd from the Er'''
moncvcd corporations. This Republican 'ohS'
tutional Convention could do nothing better 10
the Republican party or for the whoic p'"P'
than apply itself to Il serious CONSIDERATION
the matter.