The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-06-23
The UsROF MONEY IN ELECTIONS

On next Monday the voters OF Raleigh
and the adjacent territory, which it is
proposed to annex, will vote on the ques-
ton of extending the city limits. Some
OF the best men in Raleigh and IN the
suburbs to be annexed are opposed to the
proposed extension while others just as
good are strongly in favor of extension.
Both sides were very active prior to the
close of the registration books and will
now be hard at work until the polls close
next Monday night That is all right and
proper.
But there is one persistent rumor upon
the streets, a rumor which finds belief.
that money is to be used in the pending
contest, more money than is necessary
for legitimate expenses for conducting the
campaign. This paper respects the opin-
ions and convictions of men on both sides
of this question and it does not believe
that many would lend themselves to rals-
ing or using money in influencing votes.
If there are those who are contemplating
such action. We deem it proper to cali
of the Act to Provide for the Holding
OF Elections in North Carolina They are
as follows:
Section 81. Amy person who shall treat
with either meat or drink on any day Of
election, or on any day previous thereto,
with an intent to influence the election.
shall forfeit and pay two hundred dollars.
the one-half for the use Of the county.
and the other to the use of the person
who shall sue for the same.
''Sec. So. Any person who shall dis
charge from employment, withdraw pat
ronage from, or otherwise injure, threat
en-. Cypress or attempt to intimidate any
qualified voter of this State because of the
vote such voter may or may not have cast
in any election. shall be guilty of misde-
meanor.
Sec "a. Any person who shall at any
time before or after an election, give or
promise to give any money. property, or
reward. to any elector In order To secure
his vote, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
and any person who shall receive or agree
to receive any such bride. shall also be
guilty of a misdemeanor."
These sections were not put in the cleo
ton law as surplusage but to guarantee
fair elections. free from faint of corrup
ton. If either side In the pending cleo
ton violates the provisions OF these sec
tions it is to be hoped that they will be
made to suffer the full penalty of the
law. We see the climax of bribery and
other corruption in elections in the de-
hauchery of PENNSYLVANIA politics. If it
is permitted to flourish in such non-par-
tisan elections as whether the limits of
Raleigh shall be extended, it will be only
a question of little time when the dol
lar and not the man will be the determ-
ing factor in all our elections
Let both sides conduct this campaign
upon argument, upon reason, on a high
plane and use clean methods. If there
is an attempt to carry or defeat the propo-
sition with money, let it be exposed and
let the men guilty pay the penalty for vio-
lating the laws of the State, 1t is better
that Raleigh should have smaller limits
than now, it is better that it should ex-
pand a mile In every direction, anything
is better than the corruption of suffrage,
either by money, treating, threats, OPP
preston or any other like method.