The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1905-10-27

practice of making political contribu-
tons and to the question of taxation
upon certain patent medicines, al
though this latter is but a feature of
the general subject of overcoming the
Treasury deficit.
1t is expected that the President will
refer in his annual message to the
question of campaign contributions,
and it is known that there are many
Senators and Representatives who
would favor prompt action in the en-
actment of prohibitive legislation.
Chambers Bill to Prohibit Con-
tributi0nS.
AS far back as 1901, Senator Chand-
Ter of New Hampshire, introduced g
bill to prohibit those national banks or
corporations which do an interstate or
foreign business from making any po-
litical contributions, and to prohibit
any corporations from contributing to
campaigns involving the election of
United States Senators and Represen.
tatives. The bill was almost imme-
diately ~favorably reported to the Sen
ate, but it was near the end Of the
short session and it failed of passage.
The evident fact that it could not be
taken up and passed may account for
the entire lack Of opposition to It.
What strength will develop against
such a measure this winter is problem
atical. 1t is no secret that many cor
porations regularly contribute to both
political parties. Mr.. Havemeyer, OF
the sugar trust, has declared in plain
language that he has contributed to
the Democrats and Republicans alike.
Publishing the Donations.
The discussion next winter us likely
to centre largely around the Presi-
dents plan for the publication of all
campaign contributions, with q view
to framing such a law as will prevent
money from being spent for corrupt
practices. Every n recognizes that
in order to have the great political
issues properly contested there Is a
certain need of money. The publica-
ton and distribution Of speeches and
all classes of literature is quite gen.
orally regarded az not to be condemned,
but as of advantage in having tht
questions of the day properly UNDER
stood by the voters.
Leaders in Congress r but a unit
in declaring that it is only when
money is expended in order to corrupt
voters that the expenditure can be crit
icised. But it is generally believed that
this subject will give rise to an i'm
mense amount of debate in the next
Congress. There are a score OF Sena-
tors and a large number Of Represen-
tatives who will wish to go on record
saving things about the corporations
and the practice of corporations max
ing contributions to political cam
paigns.
Propose Tax On Medicines.
The question of the taxation of pat
emf medicines, which contain consider
, able alcohol, is bound to receive seri-
ous consideration by Congress, espe-
cially if the present rate Of the Treas
urv deficit continues. The deficit Is
running about SIS, 0OO, 900 a month now,
which is considerably less than last
wear, still it is possible that 1t may
increase to an annoying extent n
necessitate some action by Congress.
There has been a number Of extra ex-
nenses which has caused the deficit,
and there are other extra expenses
ahead, while it is, of course, not certain
to what extent Congress will increase
or pare down appropriations. A num- as
her of congressional leaders have a
n mind. as a partial increase IN tne
revenue desired, a tax on patent medl-
cines,
Patent Medicine Men Will Fight.
The Commissioners Of Internal Rev,
enne has been called upon for unoticial
Inflammation and an opinion on these
n~on-revenue producing alcoholics. The
natent medicine people recognize that
= pA f,ght is ahead and they propose to
me n5N It, They will resist efforts to
impose special taxes upon them n. claim aim
ing with apparent fo med,c ch%s 'I has al al
hol used in their medicines n"' o.
..sa i$o toY