The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1897-09-28
A DEAD LETTER
AS Applied to the Election of
United States Senator
rs FAMOUS GARFIELD ACT.
Mark Hanna's Managers Are TickIed Be
cause No ItemlZed Account Need
BE Made Under" Corrupt
Practices" Law.

'fIt is the common fate Of the indo-
lent to see their rights become a prey
to the active. The condition upon
which God hath given liberty to man is
eternal vigilance; which condition, if
he break, servitude is at once the con-
sequence of his crime and the punish
ment OF his ilt."--John Philpot Cur
ran.
When the legislature, in the spring
of 1896, passed the corrupt practices"
act, which made its autnor, young Gar.
field famous throughout the country,
1t 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 it's inspirations were drawn, its
penalties are severe and It's provisions
are broad. But the astute managers Of
Mark Hanna have made the discovery
that 1t has no application to the cleo
tion of a senator of the United States.
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 pur-
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
como withir 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 we'll 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 sWcrn and itemized
statement, which all other candidates
are required to make, of Mr.. Hanna's
campaign expenditures. Major Dicks
reckless use of his check book Is now
made plain. There may be law for
other people. but none for Mark. Great
and far-seelng is the wisdom of Re-
publican le ,islators!
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, dlstrib-
ute funds ad libitum in every school
district Of the state with no statutory
specter to confront him.
There is An unwrtten law higher
than any legislative enactment. Pub
lie sentiment has condemned the
coarse and brutal methods OF The jun
ior senator. The day is at hand here,
as 1t came in England thirteen years
ago, when men will be chosen to high
office whose candidacy has other rec
than gold dollars and
the willingness to use them. i