The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1905-03-13

change mean thQt1cOTpuTutiolis''A ~ ~ y
brought into! politics by ASSAULTS on ma (
currency md on vested rights Does y
mean that money protects money, or thas
the wal schest Of protection: is atnexhaust-
iblegs Does 1t indicate that the destinieo
OF i.e country are iee res1iila te ts ipys
combined 5lnterestH? IA 5lA
II 4 remedy Is to be applied, should II DC;
by new laws. or by party organizations,
reforming themselyes?ly Should + the new n
laws 4 be{ federal2 Should generations. I
should traies-unions. be permitted to give
money in elections? Ought hcfncoplei to y
know how much money5,is devoted to the
defeat OF a. candidate or policy. or pnrtyf
VIII publicitySpromote or impede such ell
forts? Would iesnnt, u required under Ell.
fective penalties, Increase the efficiency OF
existing laws?
II. 49, - n 4. =. 4
Only wcl-Instructcd public opinion can !
correctly answer such questions. Party|
leaders In Intimate touch with the con-
duct OF political campaigns appreciate tne
intolcrablc burdens and growing eSils OF
! present conditions Those who have con- \
trIbuted 10 campaign funds, and who have,
been closely Identified with the more I'M
| portant corporate and political activities.
are among the most earnest advocates OF
measures tending to restrain such contri-
buttons, especially on the part Of corpora
tons. Those who represent interests OF
stockholders, or who nre Themselves stock
holders. In corporations have perhaps most
j kcenly recognized the menace Of such,
4 Increasing emotions. 1t is'true that moth
Ing need be added to the present legal
| -. .r4. .aitE La an
holder having already complete right OF
action III case OF expenditure Of any eFor-
ton of corporate funds for political pnr'
poses Owing In pnrt TO the present dlili'
cultics OF obtaining necessary Information
Individual stockholders have rarely been
disposed 10 vIndicato their rights. The en-
forcement OF publicity by Federal and
State laws will assist in bringing stock
holders suits 55 S s
Those who best know the danger lead IN
, pointing out the practical avenues OF es-
cane. Unlike almost all ether reform
movements this one has Its origin among
politicians. II starts In the very center OF
politics. Usually, the reformer encounters
objections arising out of the experience OF
those charged with party responsibilities.
Jackson, Democrat of Democrats, III his
contest with the Bank Of the United
States. first recognized MS nm Issue III.
a threatened domination Of national pol
y tiles by corporate influences, and con
auered, In what Professor Sumner In MS
life of Jackson calls zone Of the creates
struggles between democracy and tn
z l money power", The elements OF that his
;. toric controversy seem now to be gath
- crinr for renewed conflict, but 1t Is idl
II TO attempt 10 Identify the present move
ment. essentially non-partiSan In It's na
u turc and ma tlonnl III It's extent, VIII
either Of the great political parties.
. Close upon the heels OF the Presidentn
campaign Of 1882, in which. 1t Is knowr
Y. millions were expended on both sides, MI
~. Root speaking III the New York const
tutlonai Convention Of 1891, in rctercEc
Ia the proposed incorporation into, III
W State Constitution Of an amendment reli
II tive 10 Corrupt Practices, said gtHeHIso
: Record, Vol. III, pnGe SD:
, ..Thc object OF this provision Is 70 =.
rs rctuIrG the Legislature to Say what fn0i
tc CIV may hC used 10 procure the elHrSAit
+. n ,candiGats. tlHtil That IS done. there
absolutely no limit 10 tho CORRUPTION
= limit 10 tie purchase Of votes, no hnlt
The itupIoEar iat,Gcnce q Hoteit' OF or Pt
To-. Ties, or VI tttflS InHl- 100 SD r- ls.e
], .'Thar Is q very small stcps In the Gre
< tion 1t Lie Corrupt Practices Act ~. tlir
IL IN EygGi,f Wi;!rh has worked such ndn
A. ! srFtlC. bfasuils " YOU ,snunerAtE'a y
--'@.4 1yuys lin %rteil money MAJ be l'if
IL ~. mud tGen yconAne2 cnndidates for {
= A flcq party e0RnitIGcs, party agents
laEGnl8 Of candidates, 10 thoSs uses oH
Rg II penalty toT5any Knowing departu
from those iimltati0ns forfeit thg5oil'
AZ Won viii have Il very different state OF
faIrs In respect 10 what has !
come one of tic great and crying SS
of our politics, ~. The use ot mon
IA has come TO such n pass at the hands
K. both Of the great political parties IN y
=. country TINT we find enormous contrib
III tions necessary TO maintain party II
- chInery. TO conduct party warfare, n
the effect Ia that great moncycd intercs
! cornoratc und personal, are cxcrtinE ye'
lv more and more undue influence; In
n litical ncfaIrs, and political parties
4 every year contracting greater debts
! the men who can furnish the money
"A perform the necessary functions oil pa
A warfare. = - 49,
n The amendment reported from the
y dietary Committee was rs follows:
n "Article is hereby amended by add
II the following sections:
4 "sec. 6. The Legislature shall. by G
hwfully made Of money or other vnlun
~ things by. or on$behalf Of, any person
= promote his nomination as n candid
An for public Office and by or on behalf c
= candidate 10 promote his election. y
"Thc use or promise of money or OF
ton. valuable thing to promote the nomina,
for, or election to. public office OF any.
] son otherwise than is expressly autl
lied by law. Is prohibited, and the per
by whom or for whose benefit. with
consent, connlvnncc or procurement,
same Is so used or promised. II cleo
shall forfeit hts office.
sold "sec. 4. No corporation shall dlrectl,
n;rc Indirectly tise any OF Its money or p
''1'te crty for, or in aid Of, any political pi
or organization. or for.<o or in aid of,
a 10 candidate for political Office or for n,
: - M lion FOR such Office, orE!r any maj
'ated use any OF its money or property for
1nye. political purpose whatever. or for the
J, endorsement or Naturalization of
.inea son for money or orerty so tset
&C. o. The third reading Of the arnendr
ryas ordered BY ", vote OF u TO 2; b
s AID not pass, mainly techlise. power l
55sg already lodged In the segislpt lure. u
- Unnecessary to thc0 rpaTata I'm thes
:rnon 5stitution OF the Stat hat was pract