The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-06-15

The testimony of Mr.. Havemeyer, of the
Sugar Trust, before the Senate commit.
tee Oh the subject of campaign contribu-
lions is interesting. Said Mr.. Have
meyer:
| Contributions to local political organ.
lzatlons have always been made by cor
porations before the trust and by the
trust, and the American sugar REFINING
company. and no doubt will continue
TO be- 1t is very suitable and proper
thing to do
Senator Allen-Why should the Ameri.
can sugar refining company contribute
to either of the political parties in the
State of New York?
Mr.. Havemeyer-We have largo inter-
ests in the State, police protection and
fire protection. We need everything that
the city furnishes, and gives. and we
have to support these things. Every in
dlvldual and corporation and firm, trust,
| or whatever you cali it, does these
| things and needs them.
Senator Allen-And you contribute to
both parties with the expectation that,
| whichever party succeeds, your interests
are well guarded?
Mr.. Havemeyer-We have good deal of
projection for our contri buttons. Con-
trlbulons were also given to the Repub-
lican party in Massachusetts,. 1t is my
impression that wherever there is q
dominant party, wherever the majority
IS very large, that is the party that gets
the contribution, because that is the
party which controls the local matters.
Senator Allen-Then the sugar trust
is Democrat in Democratic State and
a X epu blican in a Republican State?
AS FAR as local matters are concerned,
l think that is about it.
1t will be hard to make the public be-
lieve that the Trusts contributions have
been made with an eye to securing
police and fire protection. Both of these
things it could have secured without
paying cent to campaign funds.
The Trust pays for these
things through taxes imposed by the as
SCISSORS Of towns and cities where its
works exist, and Mr.. Havemeyer is tax
ing the credulity of the people altogether
too much when he says that it is for
them that the trust contributes to the
campaign funds of both parties.
The explanation of these contributions
is altogether too obvious for the public
to be deceived about them. Nothing can
be clearer than that the design and in
$500 " eAASAA 40 w pun popA pal blSo uuuCI
obligation, so that when legislation is
proposed that may affect the interests
OF the trust, it may have friends on both
sides of the House, that will use their
influence to prevent IT'S being unfavor-
able There is no principle in these con-
5ributions. They are made not to fur
ther the policy of one party or of the
other, because they are made to both.
They are made with view Of putting
as many legislators under obligation as
possible. Where Repu blicans are likely
to be elected the contributions go to the
Republicans; where Democrats are likely
to be elected the contri buttons 60 to the
Democrats.
We much do@ bt it this sort of transac-
tion is really regarded by Mr.. Havemeyer
as suitable and proper though he says
SO. His real defence of it is that other
corporations do it, and his must do it
or be at disadvantage. The most prom
Using remedy is to compel parties and
individuals to expose their campaign ex-
penditures and the source from which
the funds come to. the public view.