The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1897-09-30
A DEAD LETTER
As Applied to the Election of
United. States Senator
Is FAMOUS GARFIELD ACT.
MARK Hsuna's Managers Are Tickled Be
cause No Item Eed Account Need
he Made Under" Corrupt
Practices" Law.

"It Is the common fate of the indo-
lent to see their rights become a prey
30 the active. The condition upon
which God hath given liberty to man is
eternal vigilance; which condition, il
he break, servitude is at once the con-
sequence of his crime and the punish.
ment Oh his guilt. Philpot Cur.
ran.
When the legislature, in the spring
Of 1896, passed the corrupt practices"
not, which made its author young Gar.
field, famous throughout the country,
It was supposed that long stride had
been taken in the direction of restrict.
ing the use Of money in political cam.
paigns in Ohio.
Although not so extreme as the cele-
brated English act OF parliament from
which its inspirations we're drawn, its
penalties are severe and its provisions
are broad. But the astute managers of
Mark Hanna have made the discovery
that it has no application to the cleo
Astounding as this may seem, an ex-
animation of the law forces the con-
clusion that for some ineXpliCable rea-
son that Office was omitted from its
provisions. 1t applies in terms to can
didates for representative in the con-
gress OF the United States and for any
public office created by the constitution
or laws of this state to be filled by
popular election. They are vigorously
restricted, under severe penalties, in
the expenditure Of money for the puT-
pose of securing or aiding in securing
either their nomination or election.
But no such curb is placed upon the
freedom of a candidate for the senate
of the United States. He does not
come within the descriptive words. His
Office is not created by the constitution
or laws Of this state, nor is his office
one to be filled by popular election. 1t
is true that the general provisions OF
the statute upon the subject of bribery
apply to that office as well as to all
Others, but millions of money may be
used and the will of the voter effec-
tually corrupted without resorting to
direct bribery.
So, by the strange oversight of young
Mr.. Garfield, the world is to be for
ever deprived of sworn and itemized
statement, which all other candidates
are required to make, of Mr.. Hanna's
campaign expenditures. Major Dick S
reckless use of his check book is now
made plain. There may be law for
other people, but none for Mark. Great
and far-seeing is the wisdom Of Re-
publican legislators
The temptation to commit fraud, to
deceive and mislead the voter or to
improperly influence him is removed
from the path Of all candidates but that
of the senator.
He may, through his agents, distrib-
ute funds ad libitum in every school
district of the state with no statutory
specter to confront him.
There is an unwrltten law higher
than any legislative enactment. Pub
lie sentiment has condemned the
coarse and brutal methods of the jun
Tor senator. The day is at hand here.
as it came in England thirteen years
ago, when men will be chosen to high
Office whose candidacy has other rec
ommendation than gold dollars and
the willingness to use them.