Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-11-29
Madison Nov. &c.

Madison. Nov. &c.
The various candidates for Office ap-
pear to have been about as busy after
election as before. for not one has
made returns to the secretary of
states Office of his political expenses
and less than a half dozen of the coun-
ty candidates have reported to the
register of deeds as required by law.
All state and congressional candidates
and all others whose districts cover
more than one county or parts OF sew
eral counties must report to the secre-
tary of state. the others sending their
statements to the register of deeds
In Dane county Sheriff-elect Burmeis-
ter has filed his statement showing a
total expenditure of S7S3 during the
campaign. His opponent. William
Engelke, reports that his expenses
were 1915.
Thursday, Dec. 6, is the date when
all of the candidates for Office at the
last election in all parties shall have
filed statements showing the amounts
expended by each in securing the NOM
ination and in securing their election
if successful This includes also all
the candidates before the county con-
ventions who were not nominated.
Those who fail to file these state
ments as required by law will be liable
to fine of from 800 to $500. It is not
improbable that many of the candi-
dates dread this task. but the law is
quite explicit as will be seen from the
following section:
Section 4343. Every person who
shall be a candidate before any con-
vention or at any election for any
state, county, city, township, district
or municipal Office or for member of
legislature Of the state or for senator
or for representative in congress of the
United States, shall within thirty days
after the election held to fill such office
make out and file with the officer en-
powered by law to issue the certificate
of election to such officer or place and
a duplicate thereof with the register Of
deeds for the county in which such
candidate resides. a statement in writ
ing, which statement and duplicate
shall be subscribed and sworn to by
such candidate before an officer auth
orized to administer oaths. setting
forth in detail all sums Of money con-
tributed, disbursed, expended or prom
ised by him and to the best of his
| knowledge and belief by any other per-
| son or persons in his behalf, wholly or
in part, in endeavoring to secure or IN
any way in connection with his nomi-
nation or election to such Office or
place, or in connection with the cleo
ton of any other person at said cleo
ton and showing the dates when. and
the persons to whom, and the purposes
for which all sums were paid, eXpend-
ed or promised. Such statement shall
| also set forth that the same is as full
and explicit as affiant is able TO make
| it. Any such person who shall fail to
| so do shall be punished by fine of not
| less than 500 or more than $500.
| 1t is also necessary that the county
committees of all parties by the proper
officers shall file statements of ex-
penses incurred by them in endeavor-
ing to procure the election Of the can
didates in their respective parties.
''It is a we'll known fact" said
prominent politician. that candidates
are bounded by q class of leeches who
are not to be shaken off. The candi-
date finds himself in much the same
position as ,ne man which a snake
grasped in his hand He fears to let
go lest he is bitten. Therefore. he is
obliged to endure the acquaintance Of
these people and pass to them an occa-
sional bonus if for no other. purpose
than to preventincurringt their displeas-
ure. Their influence is usually mega
tive. The money paid political beg
CARS is rarely regarded as seed well
sown, but more in the light of some
thing to prevent the growth of weeds
that would choke out the good seed"
Candidates do not relish the prOVi-
sion of the law that is imposed for ex-
posing their weakness in giving to this
one and that one known to be in poll
tics for money only, but, according 20
one gentleman who has been through
the mill, this necessity may be used to
good advantage if the candidate use
judgment Said he: "The political
leech does not like TO see his name
published as having received aims from
candidates and when one of these ap-
proaches a candidate. the best safe
guard is to inform the beggar that his
name will appear in connection with
all orner expenses incurred in making
the run for Office"