The evening times., 1899-11-18
CORRUPT PRACTICES BILL.
AHryinnd's Reform League Prepares
New Measure.

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n New Measure.
BALTIMORE. Nov. 1s.-The Reform
Leagues corrupt practices bill is practi;
caily ready to be presented to the Iesis.a-
ture 1t is in effect the same bill which
was introduced in the senate January %
1898. by Senator Lewis Putzel of Balti-
more.
II expect to introduce the tiil early in
the approaching session. said Senator
Putzel yesterday. Two years ago we
made the mistake of deferring it too long.
II should be started upon its journey
| through the legislature as carry as pSs l.
| bic, so that there can be no excuse tor its
! being crowded aside by the rush of oshe-
matters that come later in the sess. on.
i DO not anticipate the trouble this win
l ter which the bill encountered two years
| ago, when it peacefully expired on the cal
1 endar A corrupt practices act was. to u
certain extent ar issue in the recent cam
! paign. II was endorsed by the candidates
! OF both parties and discussed before the
, people. who everywhere coroia ly approved
! the idea. do not. therefore. see how TIE
| legislature can fail 10 enact the measure.
or similarSone."
The bill Is intended 10 prevent such large
expenditures CT money as have character
iLtu t4ettlotS OF RECENT stdls. ,SA tciH
limits are established aAd full publicity
must be given every item of expenditure
1t is believed that this measure. in con-
nection With the anti-bribery statutes. VIII
efectualiy limit the use of money for po-
ltical purposes
The bill provides that no candidate for
cfilce shall either by himself or through
agents or political committees, pay, prom
ise, or Offer any money. or other valuable
thing exceeding in the aggregate sum de-
termined upon the follow ing basis: For
5000 voters or less. sl00; for each 100 vot-
ers over 5000 and under $1,000, 81; for
each 100 voters over $1,000, 80 cents. The
number Of voters is to be ascertained by
the total number of votes cast for all the
candidates for such Offices at the last pre-
ceding regular election to I'LL IT, This sum.
however. shall not include the actual trav-
cling expenses and beard bills OF the can
didate. nor money paid for printed matter
in newspapers. pamphlets. letters, or cir
culars.
Under this act a candidate for Governor
of Maryland could legitimately expend for
Campaign and election purposes $3.50 out
side of the sums allowed for travelling ex-
pensss. printing. etc, as just mentioned.
\ candidate for mayor or any municipal
Office voted for in the entire city could eX-
pend S547: candidates for the State senate
or house OF delegates could expend slil
and candidates for first branch city council
would be limited to 500 each the total
vote for the office last May not exceeding
5000 in any ward. Candidates for second
branch city council could contribute Sl3i
each.
The law extends its provisions not only
10 nominated or Independent candidates
who may contest in the regular election,
but TO candidates for nomination whose
names NAV be used in primary elections or
brought before any caucus or convention.
Every candidate. within thirty days after
the election. must make out and lie with
the clerk OF the circui, court in his county.
or the clerk of the superior court in Balti-
mere city. and with the officer empowered
by law 10 issue the certificate OF election
10 the place sought. a complete written
statement Of all money contributed, cX-
pended or promised by him. and. to the
best OF his knowledge. by any other per
sons in his behalf. or in connection With
the election OF any other person or per-
sons. The dates of all payments or prom
ises. the names of the recipients and the
purpose of the payment or promise must
be plainly stated. This statement must /.
be sworn to. and the successful candidate
cannot receive his commission until ne
files the same.
The law also sets its dragnet for politi-
cal committees Every committee or or
ganization which has anything to do whit |
raising or disbursing money for election !
purposes is deemed political committee.
1t must appoint a treasurer who shall keep |
a careful record of all money received and |
spent as all money must pass through his !
hands.
ANY attempt by a committee TO collect !
or expend money except in accordance with |
the act is unlawful. The treasurers record |
must show the amounts. dates and purpose |
Of every receipt and expenditure. Within !
30 days after an election the treasurer must |
file complete sworn statement of receipts
and expenditures. This statement must |
cover a period beginning 30 days before
election and terminating when the state
ment is filed. Full particulars regarding
unpaid debts and obligations must be in
cluded
All these statements of candidates and
are to be kept on file for four
years and be open TO public inspection.
The law then goes on TO provide penalties
Tor violation The candidate who fails to
comply may be fined not less than 500 nor
more than 81 goo. or imprisoned for not
more than two years; or both fined and
Imprisoned. The committee treasurer who
ails 10 file the required statement may be
ined any sum between 800 and s1.GG0.
Failure to keep correct book accounts or
he alteration. mutilation. or destruction OF
,ooks with intent to conceal anything. or |
allure 10 flea statement after notice given
lin after the expiration of the time limit.
5 punishable by Imprisonment Of not more
han two years nor hess than six months
Nillful false statements are 10 be dealt
With by the law covering perjury.
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