The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1899-11-24

MAJ ked advertisements will be continued until for
bid and charged accordingly. Yearly advertisers
must confine advertisements to their own business
Rul. and Figure Work double price. Business I.O-
Gals 10 cents per line. Marriages and Deaths inserts
ed free: Obltu ,res and Personal Communications
CENTS per line.
9-Ali correspondence with this Office should be
\ idreSsed to THE ENGUIEtR-"
A CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT.
1t seems to be universally conceded
that the corrupt use of money has
grown to such an extent in this State
as to require more stringent and etfec-
tive legislation to prevent and cradi-
cate the evil. Everyone, whose atter-
ton has been attracted to the matter,
realizes that something must be done.
The present Constitution of the State
DISTINGUISHES both the buyer and the
seller, and forever disqualifies them
from holding office in the State. That
the law has been disregardcd is no
reason why we should &c par More
explicit and stringent measures may
be provided to prevent bribery, and a
stronger and more healthy public SEN
timcnt created The next General
Assembly will have many matters of
Importance to consider, and among
them will be corrupt practices act.
A movement has already been started
in Baltimore for the enactment of such
a measure, and, in fact, bill has been
prepared and published
The Reform Leagues bill provides
that no candidate for office shall, either
10y himself or through agents or politi-
cal committees, pay, promise or offer
any money or other valuable thing ex-
cceding i'll the aggregate sum deter
mined upon the following basis: For
5000 voters Or less, 500; for each 100
voters over 5000 and under IS 900, 81;
for each 100 voters over $4,000, so
cents. The number of voters to be
ascertained 10y the total number of
votes cast for all the candidates for
such Offices at the last preceding regu-
lar election to gill it. This sum. how
ever, shall not include the actual tray
cling expenses and board bills of the
candidate, nor money paid for printed
matter III newspapers, pamphlets, let
tiers or circulars.
Under this act candidate for Gov.
crnor Of Maryland could lesitimatcly
expend for campaign and election pur
poses 81 ,220 outside of the sums al
lowed for travelling expenses, printing
etc, as just mentioned. A candidate
for State Senate or House of Delegates
could cNpcnd Sill.
Every candidate, within 80 DAYS
alter the election. must make out and
file with the clerk of the Circuit Court
in his county, or the clerk of the ST.
perior Court in Baltimore CITY, and
with the officer empowered by law t.
Issue tue certificate of election to the
place sought, a complete written state
mcnt Of all m,rey contributed, cx-
pended or promised by him, and, to
the best Of his knowledge, 10y any other
persons in his behalf, or in connection
with the election of any other person
or persons. The dates of all payments
or promises, the names of the recipients
and the purpose of the payment or
promise must lie plainly stated. This
statement must be sworn to, and tic
successful candidate cannot receive his
commission until he files the same.
Political committees d;sbursine
moneys must have treasurer, who is
required to keep correct account of
all moneys received and expended, and
Tor what purposes. Within 80 DAYS
after an election the treasurer must file
complete sworn statement of receipts
and expenditures. This statement
must cover period beginning 80 days
before election and terminating when
the statement is filed. Full particu-
lars regarding unpaid debts and obi
cations must be included. All these
statements of candidates and commit
tees are to be kept ON file for four years
and be open to public inspection
Severe penalties are provided for vio
latlon of the provisions of the law, both
by candidates and committees, or theil
treaSurers.