Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-01-31

Mr. Feniinnrt'S Anti Corruption Bil1.
While there Is unloubted merit in the
Anti.Corrupton bill introduced in the
Legislature by Senator Fenimore, there
ia also room for inproving amendments,
in order TO make IL q measure that will
most effectually accomplish the desired
reform. 1t opens the way for practi-
cal movement in the direction of reform
legislation, and can no doubt be amended
into shape that will give promise of
making bribery and corruption at slec-
tions in this State decidedly dangerous,
if not practically impossible.
With reference to the provisions in
Mr.. Fenimore's bill providing for the
filing of sworn statements Of their cam
paign expenditures by oil persons elected
to office, pertinent suggestion is that
it would be better TO go further in this
direction, and pattern after the English
law covering this subject. This could
be accomplished by extending the pro-
visions of the act so as TO require each
candidate, at the opening Of campaign,
to file with the proper officer of recorda
statement giving the name of the agent
or committee through whom he expects
to make his campaign expenditures.
| Any moneys expended otherwise than
by himself or this accredited agency
would be held to be expended for IL
legitimate purposes, and work a for
feiture of office in the event Of his cleo
ton. Such requirement would re-
strict the expenditures of candidate
within such compass that they could
be very easily followed by an inyeFtiga-
ton, and any illegal expenditures
promptly asccrtaiued.
A feature of Mr.. Fenimore's bill that
is positively dangerous is contained in
the last sentence of section 8, providing
that onehalf of the penalty of $1,000
for bribery shall go to the informer,
which says. 1.-THE informer for all
violations of this section shall be ex.
. empt from any punishment" The
, language Of this sentence is sufficiently
sweeping TO warrant the belief that it
, would secure to an informer immunity
from prosecution even on charge OF
perjury in connection with his informa.
Q ton, and it will readily be seen what a
dangerous opportunity this would otfel
I to INSCRIPTIONS persons. There are
e men who would commit perjury for 0
q much less sum than the half Of 81 900
,nl ,,.;ti, s,,nI ~ ;pdupap,ppt ~ won't
Il not be surprising some would be fount
h base enough to falsely charge candi
n date with bribery at an election, IL
order to secure the premium offered
it spurred on by the prospect Of immunit.
|. from punishment, even in the event o
detection. While every inducemen
If should be offered to secure the exposur
% of all attempts at bribery, honest candi
y dates should not be placed entirely a
ii the mercy Of rogues VINO would be will
ing to pefiurc themselves for five hun
!. dred dollars.
to The defect in Mr.. Fenimore's bill i
3. not providing that the expense account
d Il Of successful candidates, when file
e. with the proper officers, shall be publ
or records, open to the inspection of ever
id citizen, has already been pointed out b
The GAZETTE. We hope all VIII
tit are interested in the subject of pun
a. elections will carefully examine IL
as bill, and if they have any suggestion
mt that may tend to make it more effec:iv
ne communicate them to the author of Il
ly measure, or make them public throug
or the press. The subject is one til
,se interests every good citizen, and |
he doubt the members Of the Legislator
it upon whom the responsibility for Il
be fate of the measure depends, will
pie glad to receive any suggestions that nj
Ill tend to assist them in the important ia
ill of enacting laws that will make futu
elections in this State faE, honest a
beyond the reach of bribery or cc
ruption in any form.