New-York tribune., 1901-04-05
CORPORATIONS IN Politics.

1t is not at all likely that the City Clubs bill
to diminish political contributions will get
through the legislature at this session Strong
Influences both financial and political would
surely object to any measure requiring greater
publicity in the management of corporations
holding public franchises. Mr.. Croker's old an
swer-"private business''-findS sympathetic
echo in the heart of almost every man who
seeks to guard his business secrets, lndlvlduai
or corporate. Anything like State 1nqusitlon
into private operations which may be abused
and made to serve private grudges rather than
public ends is naturally and properly unpopular
and it is only when the positive necessity OF such
inquistiOn is clear that public opinion will toll
crate ii. Conviction this point is a matter
of slow growth. and the City Club Will doubt
less have to make an energetic campaign if 1t
is ultimately to succeed in securing such reports
from corporations as it desires.
That some check should he put on corpora
tions holding franchises, and perhaps on some
other corporations in the matter of political ex-
pendtures is certainly true 1t is not right that
corporations having business relations with the
government should he in position TO buy law be-
cause of secret contributions to those who con-
troll legislation i'll State city. Such con-
trihutions may not be direct bribery. Money
spent to carry elections may have just as vicious
an influence as payments TO officials after cleo
ton. NCr is it right that the managers of cor
porationS should spend money which they hold
in trust for purposes apart from the legitimate
business OF the corporation. One of the defences
of corporation managers reprOached for corrupt
ing politics is that they trustees for innocent
persons whose property they must guard against
political attack if they have to pay for i'm
munity SO far that Is sincere plea and
not an excuse TO cover positive aggression rather
than mere self-defence in relation with lawmak
ing. IL should lead these managers to favor en-
forced publicity of their accounts as the best
protection against political exactions. Those
who make contributions not for defence but for
offence of course would not wish their activities
interefered with, but their wishes are not en-
titled to consideration.
Unquestionably the reform sought by the City
Club is one much needed but the best method
of securing 1t. even the possibility of securing
ii at all by legislation is fairly open to debate.
Much may he said in favor Of enforcing pub
licity at the other end of the line. The reports
required of candidates for office farciCal, but
a more drastic law compelling all party organi-
cations and officers to publish itemized accounts
Of their expenditures and their receipts might
accomplish something. 1t would probably be
impossible to stop political expenditures through
unofficial channels. and the door would still be
open for demoralizins collections and outlays.
Indeed il is difficult 10 see how even the strictest
accounting by corporations could prevent those
who wished TO contribute from doing so. though
il might give the unwilling some protection from
extortion. The great corporations which want
legislation can cover up their political expendi-
lures iLl a hundred ways. They can hire lob
hyists 10 do legal or other legitimate work for
them. If the corporate account is troublesome n
group of large owners can make the contribution
privately, knowing that they will get II back in
new advantages for their company. In that
case smaller stockholders would not pay their
share of the political charge, but the large hold
ers would not mind that if the object was really
worth paying for. Possibly double accounting
both by contributors and those who receive con-
tributions and spenl them might close the door
n little tighter. but still the buyers and sellers
of law would devise new ways to keep ahead
of their hunters. That is a reason for not ex
pectlng too much from any statute. but il is no
| reason 10 give up chasing them and discourag
ing them as much as possible by force of law
and education of public opinion.