The Saint Paul globe., 1896-11-12

his report, and he kept we'll within the
limit, as the vote in his district, in 1894
enabled him to expend up to $3.50 or
more within the lines laid down by the
law
These expenses are confined within
close lines. Travelling expenses are al
lowed only for the candidate, public
speakers and musicians participating
at public meetings in his behalf. Rent
of halls and furniture for the same is
legitimate, as are the cost of distribu-
ting pamphlets, sample tickets,
speeches, and the like the pay of chaI-
lengefs at the polling places. copying
and classifying of poll lists, canyasses
OF voters, postage, telegraph and mes
senger service, clerk hire for commit
tees. and the expense of conveying in
firm or disabled voters to the polls.
1t will be seen that there is nothing
allowed for drinks, cigars, and Gin
c1dentals," which go to make up so i'm
portant an item in the expense ac-
count of the average candidate.
Whether the law is to result in the en-
tire abolition Of the ante-election
treating habit" remains to be seen.
but certainly the saloons of St. Paul
suffered little diminution of their trade
during the campaign. IT is SO hard
TO prove thatthes purchase Of a drink.
or the setting up. of a cigar, was a
br7be to have any one vote for one. par
tlcular1y If the charges should be tried
before jury which was in the least
familiar with the aroma Of the average
campaign cigar. 1t is probable that in
such case the accused candidate. if
ne could not establish an aIibi, could
at least set forth an apparent absence
OF motive or inducement to the voter.
The alderman in a sister city, who
announced that he would spend $4,000
II necessary, to be elected alderman,
Whlcn pays $500 per year for four
years, has not yet filed any report
showing such fabulous expenditure. 1t
Is probable that the candidate was
talking through his skypiece," as it is
spoken IN the street, although he may
nave thought that the office was worth
the money he expressed a willingness
to pay for it. The law can no more
speculate on the possibilities Of extra
emolunents than 1t can control the
eatlngs and drinkings Of candidates,
which will be conceded by the most
straight-laced court to be surnptuary
legislation If Is ever attempted.
None of the state officers have vet
nIed their statements. These are to be
filed with the secretary of state and
the auditor of the county in which the
candidate lives within thirty days after
the election. A statement that some
people are interested in Is the state
ment Of Page Morris, the newly elected
congressman in the Sixth district
While his personal expenses are ex-
pected to fall easily within the limit,
1t is feared by some that the expenses
or the district committee which, under
the new law is also required to make
reports, will come dangerously close to,
II they do not exceed the prescribed
limit
The law is7 rigid as to the amount
that may be spent by candidate. It
permits him to expend for the first
1900 votes the sum Of $3.50; for each
100 voters in excess Of 5000 and under
25.0e0, 81: for each 100 voters in ex-
cess Of 5000 and under $4,000, 81; and
fifty additional is allowed for each 100
voters in excess Of $4,000.
The number of voters for that office
at the last preceding election is the
basis of computation.
One of the disturbing features of the
Law and one that will cause every can
didate who oVerstepped the bounds to
worry until his term ends is that per-
mitting any one to institute proceed
ings to nullify the election by proving
unlawful acts The action covering
this ground states that any time dur
ing the term of Office to which any
candidate may have been elected any
elector entitled to vote for said candi-
date may file an affidavit with the at
torney general requesting that suit
be brought to declare the oxfice vacant
upon any Of the following grounds:
Expending, contributing, disbursing
or promising an amount Of money In
excess OF the sum allowed by law, or
the commission OF any unlawful act by