New-York tribune., 1903-11-12
WOULD MAKE III 4 CRIME
PRISON FOR OFFENDERS.
Plan To Stop Political BIackmGiling
of CORPORATIONS.

" W ItOf Ntt''''-
To prevent the recurrence Of the disgraceful
conditions OF The recent city election. when cor
porations contributed to the Tammany political
fund and political workers openly solicited. or
sather demanded. contributions from corpora
sions. there IS on foot already told in The
Tribune. a project 10 make such contribution
or the asking for such criminal offence. This
would he not alone in the interests of clean
politics. but would afford the greatest protec-
sion 10 the directors anG stockholders OF cor
porstions which are being hlackmailed and have
no redress.
Efforts have been made before 20 enact such
legislation. A report Of the City Club pub
isshed on February 3, 1897. shows that on Feb
rusrv ] the hoard Of trustees Of the club
passed a resolution. That the board approves
rhc enactment OF laws TO prohibit. under penal
iies. the payment OF political contributions by
corporations, and requests the committee on
legislation to promote such enactment"
Among the members OF the board OF trustees
which voted unanimously for this resolution
were John r. Parsons. the president Of the
club. James Z. Carter Elihu Root. Joseph Ia
ROGUE, William c Gulliver, William r. Horn
blower. r. Fulton Cutting. David r. Ogden and
Dean Van Amringe
There was also brought up. late in the ses-
sion OF the Constitutional Convention in 1924.
the question Of prohibiting contributions by
corporations 70 political funds by punitive
measures. This movement had the support OF
suany able members of the col -ention. That
something of the kind was not done is attrib-
Dted to the time at which the motion vas intro
duced.
The great wealth of corporations ard their
close business relations with municipal and
state governments have brought about condi-
tion harmful TO the corporations themselves
rs IL is debauching TO the political workers and
Tho electorate at large. They need legislation;
they buy il. This is expected and recognized by
both sides to the transaction. AS a kind Of re-
seK action the political heelers able to bleed
Tho corporations for large contributions and
other favors around election times simply be-
cause they hold the balance OF power with the
legislators
Take the man at the head Of the large bust
ness corporation, argue those interested I'm the
plan. man Of high business character. He
cannot afford 10 take the chances Of going TO
State prison. lie viii not risk it, even 10 make
easier the way Of his corporations business.
Neither viii the politician be joyous and
eager to acquire the sinews OF war il he realizes
that Il is a felony TO ask for contribution or 10
accept it
As TO the ultimate success Of such q measure
opinions differ. Laws could hardly be made
enough many Anlllk 10 ouA NAlS tNlt'
which has become a large factor in the political
system Of the entire country.
Vvhea Wheeler II. Peckham was asked what
he would think Of such legislation. he said:
Yes. I should consider any law which would
prevent the contributions by corporations to po-
litical campaign funds highly desirable The
present law prohibits that, but I'm not sure II
it is considered a criminal offence. There is no
doubt that need this thing stopped for IN
the recent election corporations contributed
thousands OF dollars to Tammany Hall
John Harsen Rhoades. president Of the Green
Nich Savings Bank was willing to take any
measure which would stop this curse but he
had his doubts IL any measure could be devised
which would do it.
Make your laws" said he. "and make them
as drastic as you like. Infiict as heavy a pen
atty as you can, but al the same time I don't
believe you Will stop this thing. IL has got the
country by the throat. Bribery runs from
every little hamlet TO the United States Con-
Fress; not bribery you can lay your hands on.
nevertheless. the essence Of bTibery-the hand
behind the back. What are you going to do
about it? That's the question.
In the first place, 10 reason Il out logically.
the everyday citizen is TO blame for this condi-
ton Of affairs IL takes money TO cam
paign OF any kind, and the average man viii not
contribute. The corporations do; they did in
she first place 20 get the good viii OF the polit-
seal parties: they do now to keep that good will
and TO be let alone as much as possible. I grant
you that it's all wrong, but take the corpora
tion mans side. He may have wrung unjust
privileges from the people, but he Is put there
protect his stockholders interests Along
comes the politician, who is able TO get a few
bills. every one Of which VIII be a stab in the
back for that corporation man. That director
wants 10 be let alone more than anything else,
so he gives up his money, and says, For the
Lords sake, take il and get OUT
1t is not always in that crude form-ln fact
The average corporation bribery is the most
subtle, elusive thing in the world. Nevertheless
Il is bribery. and it Is effective, and II has cor
ruptec every legislative body, and the voters
themselves expect IL, while the political parties
fatten on IT, What are you going 20 do?
Make your laws. and you can't draw them
100 strongly; still l doubt IL you can stop this
corruption. The voter is al fault primarily and
whether he II ever wake up is a great problem"