The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-07-27
The Pure Election Law.

The Washington Post undertakes to con.
denim the Virginia pure elections law
without knowing It's full provisions. Re-
lire act, the Post makes the following
comment:
THE best way to rid the statute books
Of an absurd and Impractical law Is to
enforce It.; and the Barksdaio election
lawscertanly comes within this category.
Z II Is wrong. in the first place because If
it's respected It means that only rich
men can run for Office. There are proper
ind Legitimate expenses In every CAM
paign, In the case of Il bitter contest.
!hese items aggregate n considerable sum,
and If n candidate cannot call upon his
friends he might as we'll give way to the
pspirant who liz wealthy enough to pay
all OF the bills without assistance. Surely
the Virginia people, who are democratic
In the broadcast and best sense, do not de-
sire to throw a damper upon the natural
ambition of every poor man. Even men OF
more than moderate means must find
themselves sorely handicapped Wo doubt
Very much whether Senator Martin and
Governor Montague have been able to
bear unaidcd all the tremendous cost OF
their or-fought and exciting struggle.
Both Of them have maintained expensive
bureaus, with considerable clerical force,
and they have circulated n vast amount
of literature, the printing and mailing OF
which must has% beoU, n serious drain
upon their pucketbooks. Have they met
all Of these expenses out OF their private
purses or have they accepted financial
aid? II the latter, they arc MS nmcnable
to the law ms the Richmond editor"
But the law is not so narrow as the
Post assumes. Section provides:
''No candidate for congress. or for
either house OF the General Assembly OF
Virginia. or any State, county district
or municipal office, shall expcnd. pay.
promise. loan or become pecunarily liable
In any way for any money or other val
liable thing to Influence voters In his be-
half or permit the same to be used with
his knowledge and consent. by his friends
or adherents in amy election. primary or
nominating convention; provided how.
ever, that no expenditure made by any
candidate or FITS AD1TTRFNTS AND
FRIENDS (caps ours) for the purpose OF
printing or advertising In some news
papcrs, or In securing suitable halls for
public speaking at reasonable price,
shall be deemed illegal"
Nothing is said, one way or tho other.
about tho payment of other necessary
campaign expenses, such as travelling ex-
penscs In making q canvass, or the pay
ment OF primary election entrance fees
and The like But nobody contends that
money expended for these purposes Is
forbidden by the pure elections law, and
4 II 1t is lawful for candidates to spend
money in these directions, 1t is equally
lawful for their friends and adherents"
TO help to bear the burden for, as nj
ready seen, tho law makes no distinction.
VIVA, is lawful for one Is lawful for the
Others.
The law ia rot absurd. II is an enact
.nent In the interest Of pure elections
ana public morals. II was designed &c
prevent all corrupt and improper usos
Of money IN elections, and II has done
splendid service in Virginia, The Pos
9ays tint Il enforced strictly IT win op
crate to the hurt OF the poor man who
would run for Office, On the contrar,
II is designed to protect the poor mar
and does protect him and puts him OF
equal ground with the rich man, !
protects him against tho fat purse o
the rich candidate, protects him aSains
tho professional party workers. who ar
always IN evidence whom campaign none
Is plentiful. and whose services are a
ways for gale to the highest bidded. Th
law saves the poor man from ru!nor
"e1penses' and has been soasend
the candidates OF limited means. as Il
published election accounts show,
may make hardship IN exceptions
cases, What law does not? But II is
good law and no legislature Will d.