Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1897-05-05
For Purer Politics.

The corrupt practices act, intro
duced in the legislature by Senator
Davis and which narrowly escaped
death in the senate. has received exc
cutive approval and Is now a law.
The measure aims for the betterment
of politics in this state 1t is thus
explained by The Madison State
Journal:
A reading of the corrupt practices act, as the
assembly amended it, following the passage of
the original bill by the senate, is calculated to
discourage those who hoped for some such
vigorous measure as the English have perfect
ed, and as has already been adopted by a
number of American states. Nevertheless,
while the reformers feel disappointed to the
point of chagrin, and the sly ones in politics
are enjoying quiet smile, it is an achievement
to get start made in such legislation. No re-
peal is probable, and as the law reveals its
defects, amendments will force themselves by
very necessity.
There are fourteen sections to the bill. The
first two define who shall be guilty CT bribery
under the act. There are seven classes defined
suggested by the evils sought to be suppressed;
the bri5ing of voters to vote or refrain from
voting; the giving or promise of an Office or
private position IN return FOR a vote or the Sc
curing OF a vote or the election OF a candidate
(pertinent in time of United States senatorial
election); the giving of money to be used in
the interest of another in bribery. For these
offences there is a penalty of an Imprisonment
of from six months to two years. This for the
one bribing; the person bribed cannot be pun
ished by less than one month nor by more than
one year. A rider goes with this first section
which provides that it shall not extend ''to
any money paid or agreed to be paid for or on
account of any legal expenses as provided in
this act and bona fide incurred at or concern
ing any election" Further, it will be seen that
the penalties are light even if the offender is
caught; and who is to catch him?
The third section is aimed at force, violence
or restraint" in voting; the fourth at the at
tempt to vote on the name of another person
usually dead) and at the practice of repeat
ing. One Of the most important sections is the
fifth, which forbids campaign subscription to
procure or aid in procuring the nomination or
election of any person to the state senate or as
sembly of the state unless the subscriber is
resident of the district in which the candidate
end to practice not unknown of wealthy
candidate of the senate deluging closely con-
tested districts with doodle to turn an cleo
tion his way. The machinery of enforcement
however, is feeble. It is very properly provided
that the provision shall not apply to the pay
ment by any person participating in a cam
paign of his own personal expenses. 1t is
further provided that contributions may be
| do e ~,
any district for general lawful purposes and
| it is nobody's business how it is spent, unless
there is an agreement that it be specifically
! applied to certain district; in which even the
maximum penalty is but one year.
Section six opens up still another important
mandate of which much has been said the
country over. 1t provides that all classes of
! candidates IN all classes. OF elections, from
| justice OF the peace to United States senator,
shall within thirty days of election file with the
register of deeds written sworn statement,
setting forth in detail all sums of money con-
! tributed or expended by him and ''to the best
! of his knowledge by any CCher persons in his
! behalf in endeavOring to secure his nomination
or election. He must give dates and the per-
| sons to whom the money was paid. The maxi
| mum penalty is $500 and there are presidents
/ in other states of candidates for high offices
who paid rather than tell the story of their
| campaign. Committees must also keep books
! and report; and until treasurer is appointed,
! whose business it is to make this report OF
campaign income and expenditure, the com
mittee may not handle campaign funds. All
monies must pass through his hands. He
must report on all monies handled by him in the
! ninety days before election; and his statement
must show the date of each contribution and
disbursement, to whom paid and for what pur-
pose. 1t must also note the unpaid debts, if
! here are any. There is a long list of things
| this all important treasurer must not dO-he
must not fail to keep books, he must not mu-
tilate them, conceal a debt, ETC., ETC.; and the
penalty ranges from two to six months.