The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-03-02
TO LIMIT ELECTION ExPENsEs.
A Bill Introduced Ia the House OF Dele
gates Inv Mr.. co by Request


Judge Nicol of Prince William vester-
day afternoon introduced I'm the House
of DELEGATES a bill 10 limit the expenses
Of candidates and 20 provide for publicity
In election o.neuses The bill. which was
introduced nv ur Nicol by request. was
drawn Nv Professor r. T. Blackwell. OF
Randolnb. - Macon College. IL provides that
candidates for Congress or any other pub
lie office subject 10 popular elections shall
not pay out money 70 secure the nomina-
ton or election except on the following
basis. For 500 voters or less, 800; for
each 100 voters over 500 and under 1900,
81. FOR each 100 voters over -1vo and I'M
der 5800. 81. and for each leD over 0,VD
fifty cents. the total number or voters
TO be ascertained by the total number OF
votes cast for all the candidates for such
office AT the last preceding election.
All persons who nave been candidates
shall. within thirty days after the election.
file with the officer VINO issues the certfh-
cate OF election "A sworn statement az 10
his election expenses. a duplicate OF this
statement is 10 be- filed with the respective
county or corporation judge. No commits
sion or certificate Is 10 be issued until this
sworn statement has been filed. Persons
falling 70 comply with these provisions
shall he fined not exceeding slJO. NO
person shall enter upon any elective Of
flee until he has filed his sworn statement.
At INV time within six months frCm
any election the person receiving the next
highest number Of votes may prefer
charges against the officer elected upon
the following charges. That the money
expended included the amount stipulated
i'm the bill. that votes have been secured
with money or other compensatons; that
voters have been withheld in an unlawful
manncr
An application 20 declare such an office
vacant shall be accompanied by a bond
Of Sl.e0O. Within ten days OF the filing
Of such application the Acknowledgement
is to bring suit against the respective
officers. II ne fails 10 do so. the applicant
may bring suit i'm the name Of the state.
but at his own expense Such action shall
have the preference over any civil case on
the docket OF any court. il judgment Is
rendered against the defendant he shall
be ousted from Office; If no charge Is
sustained. judgment shall be rendered
against the applicant. Witnesses shall
not be liable TO criminal prosecution
under this act. except tn case Of perjury
committed while on the stand.
Political committees, who are raising
money for election purposes must have
a treasurer 10 collect ana dlSDurSe the
money. The latter 10 to keep book con-
tanning a statement OF the money receiv-
cd and expended By him. Within thirty
days after election he must file with the
respective county or corporation judges
q sworn itemized statement OF his ac-
counts Other persons who, under the d.
rection of political committees, receive
money money Tor election purposes
shall also file such itcmiZed ac-
counts. II these statements are
not properly made cut the person
who filed them shall be summoned to
amend them within five days. Persons
who fail 10 file these statements shall
be guilty Of a misdemeanor, and, upon
conviction. shall be fined from $50 TO 500
or imprisoned from one to twelve months.
Treasurers Of political committees who
fall 10 keep correct accounts. or mutilate
or destroy their books or accounts, or
fail TO file the statement required, or
violate other provisions Of this act, shall
be guilty of n misdemcanor. and, on con-
vfction, shall be imprisoned in the county
jail for not less than two nor more than
six months.