The Winslow mail., 1901-05-02
MONEY IN CAMPAIGNS.
The Real Reason of Democratic De-
feat In the Last Presiden-
tia1 Election,

Col. j. K. Hickey, of Missouri, has
written the following letter to Chair
man Jones, declaring that the corrupt
use of money during the last cam
paign caused democratic defeat, and
he proposes a plan to eliminate its
use in campaigns:
Hon. ]. K. Jones, Chairman of the Demo-
cratic National Committee
MY Dear Sir: 1 see all kinds of reasons
being assigned by the different wise men
of the country for the defeat of the demo-
cratic party Some say it was free sill
ver; others say it was the attack on the
supreme court; and still others, that our
populistic assimilation was an objection
able thing. To my mind, there was but
one reason-money!
The wealth of this country was massed
to be used against US, and it was used
against US almost without limit. When
the two great parties of this country are
SO equally divided upon the economic and
other questions before us, and one party
has millions at It's disposal, and in the
hands of unserupuleus and desperate Lead
efs who are without any conception of
government, except that of a means to
self-enrichment-and the other party is
almost wholly without money and eschewS
and denounces the debauchery of the bal
lot by the use of it, in other words, when
this party faces the other only with right
and justice on its side-such conditions
make the result of the last election an
inevitable consequence. 1t is absolutely
useless for our party to engage in an
other national struggle, in my opinion, un-
less the use of money, as it has been used
in the last two campaigns, can be eltmi-
mated The one and the only question to
be considered, in my mind, is how can
this be accomplished?
I'm answer to this question there seems
to be one way and only one, viz: Where
the democratic party has possession of
the state government, let bills be intro
duced in the legislature making 1t peni-
tentfary offense to con ntribute or receive
one dollar for campaign purposes, the
states passing such laws also to offer a
large reward for each and every convic-
tion. When you have done this in demo-
cratic states, then let the democrats in
states under republican control introduce
similar bills, and If the legislatures un-
der republican rule refuse to pass them,
the republicans will then stand committed
to the unlawful use of money in the con-
troll of elections. They will then be COM
PEELED to bear the overwhelming burden
of an accusation that they are seeking to
remove the corner stone of free institu-
tions. 1t may be said that some money
is absolutely essential to the machinery
of elections. 1 deny emphatically that one
dollar in any campaign need be used in
order to find out the will of the people.
Money beyond what is provided by the
state becomes necessary only when it
is desired to manufacture a will of the
people.
Il propose further that this issue be
made the sole issue by the democratic
party until it is settled. 1t is needless
for me to say to you that this is the logical
of bn
situation be conceded as correct The
wealth of this country is now so closely
compacted and knit together that it can
move at a moments notice; and, like a
thoroughly trained army, ready for bat
tie. In the face of it, no sentimental issue,
and no issue however fundamental, such
as imperialism, or constitutional question,
or even the independence of the republic,
Will nave any influence or any show Of
fair determination. These men propose
to control everything and make all legis-
lation an expression simply of their own
will. They propose to control the volume
and kind of money. They propose to con-
troll the taxing power of the government.
They want protection for their combina-
tlons and trusts, who rob the people. Ev-
cry four years they are willing to spend
enough of the money taken from the peo-
pie by these combinations to carry the
doubtful states and assure an election be-
yond question. They don't care whether
the party used is republican or democratic
In fact, they would prefer to elect demo-
crat next campaign and to alternate from
party to party from time to time, provided
only that their policies are duly subscribed
Il have talked with many of our leaders
since the election, and they fully agree
with me with what l have said to you
There was more money used in this elce-
tion than ever before. The country is be-
coming accustomed to it. Many in the
so-called doubtful states are thriving on
this new industry. Unless it is stamped
out we will never enjoy another fair cleo
ton, and the party now in power will never
be turned out until revolution sure enough,
bloody revolution, does it, Yours most
sincerely,
81. K. RICKEY,
Hoffman House, New York, Feb 49,"