New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-01
ELIHU ROOTS REMEDY.
no CURE BRIBERY EVIL.
Hmeadments TO Preueut Camping"
Co,,-;bufions from Corporations.


-. - -, lar. cities There were open
charges after she last election that the uac 1N
Interests contributed heavily 20 the , aInue's =,
psien funds expecting 20 reap De'eil' -.
fsrity which they thought "oo4o AlI'"0 .
many characterization
Tn. rrihsIne has taken Up this suD)ec8 Hi4o -
shown thnt while the corporation is q peIg -
.his rotten condition IN political lfe' I = % -,
largely because q IL 'Thed Up by pohuce- ne
-v.,yn.n. IT'S case ~ pay Us. or you Won "e
.uor-es 70 do business" Because the corporAuoL
encouraged TIE lobbyist and yielded 10 MN oie-l
ne had some power, Il WA unable 10 resi'' INN
when he got hat power - -,-,,-.
IN frtrrzferrs with well known rnsn Inc ArlVuIe
hrouebt out some ways in which THE conoiuon
might be rerne6ied. Legislation eee1heO wv Why
way 20 strike 81 the heart OF T.
when an expression OF his views on this suoJec'
-ss requested from Elhu Root he referred 70 as
arguments before the Constitutional Convention II
.ses WHEN an amendment prohibiting the conulOu-
Won by corporations OF money for pohtioeA usee
wa. under discussion. ''YoUA ind my views lu'y
expressed there" said he. The aInenoine1 J"
question came UP on Monday. September O. 4os1' -
o report from the Judiciary Committee. AZ VS.
proposed TO amend Article II OF The oonsu'u'4on
by adding the following;
Section The legislature shall BY general Jaw -
oeSe rne eter ysIabe thTgs by or on behalf Of
sny person. 70 promote his DOMINATION a -
candidate 10 promote his election ~.
Tie use OF promise OF money OF oIhe ~ clsciioH
70 SSvbIio cfliee OF any person otherwise than is
spressiy sTtho1zeo ~ r., Sboss be3e5t Win his
consent. corrvanoe or procure l ~ 80 fice
DIR. ROOTS SPEECH SUPPORTING IT.
In support o. this NJ. Root said in the CONVEX
sion:
The object o, this provision. Nr. Chairman. is
&c lay down general pIinciple 70 which the avs
with Rhat I believe TO be the most eniishteneo
legislature IN its laws 10 conform to 81 anG require
the legislature 10 say what money may be used to
procure the election % g candidate Until that is
done there is absolutely no limit 10 the coIruRtoh,
improper influence OF votes. or OF parties, or o.
5srss-aphs M Section 6 toeether there entire
y different state o. affairs produced rom t,- t
legislature is required 70 declare afHTmatvely what
uses mar lawfully be mace. That Is very alIIs s
ent thing from prohibition. u is required 70 ns-
clare afrTus tivey. 70 enumerate, The uses Whlcl;;
Other uses than those expressly authorized are
prohibited AID are made The sro1nd OF iorlellu.e
ate your prohibitions on The use OF money nor 5ast
80 long efasons OF tuose - -,
money NAV be used. affirmstively enurntrate then
q then eGPns s S7ned1 be agents. iS q osn6da
conflne them 20 those uses ana as . peiialy ~ ~
seit the Office. you viii have very oitIereIl staIe
81 slSl n ~ r See one Of the great and crying
evils OF our poltics-the enormous use OF money
The use Of money HIS come 90 such a pass et me
hands Of both Of he great pooeal psrtgs ~ c5s
sary 10 maintain party machinery. 20 conduct party
,-rests corBo~ste and personal are exerng yearly
and more undue influence IN pelic3l aIl.l.s ~
more necessary 10 the support OF political parties
sTestar debts 10 the men Who can furnish the
money TO perform the necessary functions q party
arfsre The object q ihs amendme me y Cy I5
ma, not accomplish everything II may not be SUI
ficient wholly 70 END the el: ot X is a slep ~ ~
Is proper incorporate in the Constitution
In the subsequent discussion !. s. johnson &C.
ciaro6 IT is well known that In this State for
years and wears the corporations have reached out
their hand and said that person who shall act in
the Interests or this party OF that party shall Re
nominated or defeated" lie instanced the jay
Gould examination with regard 10 General Woods
snd Senator Humphrey. The following sections
were considered:
TWO OTHER SECTIONS
Sec = No corporation shall directly or indi-
reoty, use any Of its money or property FOR or In
cid of. any political party organization. OF for or
termination FOR such ONCE or in any manner use
any Of Its money OF property for ey pol,!csI pSI-
nincation OF sny person for moneys or property so
this section shan forfeit rs charter. ana every
foreign corporation which violates this section
sha forfeit the right ~ DO business IN this StaJe
Sec s. In an civil actions 20 determine the fer
5eiture provided IN tbs and The LAST preceding sec
tons. and in all criminal prosecutions sor viola
lions OF laws made 10 enforce TITS and the last
testifyins IS a witness on TIE ground mat he
testimony NAV tend 70 crfnlrate himself hut HIS
Testimony shall not - used IN any criminal pro-
ceedlng against him. except prosecution for per
3ury committed In giving such testimony.
An amendment was offered to make this Section
read Corporation rot organized expressly for
political purposes" Then Mt Root said:
The object OF Section f. so;eiy 90 prevent the
application 81 the funds OF corporations engaged In
business in this State 10 political purposes So far
as individuals concerned. that can he disposed
of otherwise s. Tar es clubs or indiyldusls asso-
IL
that be disposed OF otherwise. DO not know
that there is any greater objection 20 thrse men or
money for political purpose than there = TO an
individual contributing his money 20 political pur
Numbered s il 20 have declared the purposes for
which enybody's money be applied IN politics
which money must be used "a political campaigns.
The object o. The first section IS 20 confne All
OF money by natural persons and BY corporate per-
The legislature
IN further discussion Mr. Root said:
Il is precisely because laws aimed directly at the
crime Of bribery have Tar beon Ineffective that
OF the actual commission OF the crime. ] appre-
hend that many political connmi.tees and many
nn6 most candidates FOR once VIII refuse to sane
the OF money which is prohibited in 50
rot afixed simply 70 crime end that that lirnita-
don. being on matters which are not done IN the
. great extent would be much more easlly en-
<Orce6 than the prohibition against bribery CT
az now cshed on before election 10 contrisut.
large sums 10 campaign funds would hno In an
>.iHre o, their charters > reason wiz thev shouia
make SUch contributions. ] think 81 viii be
de-eands on them. and a projection 70 the people
against the payment OF consideration for contribu-
oons by them. 10 the injury OF the representation
OF the people.