Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-31
ENGLISH FL ECT|OAS
No More Intimidation or Brib-
cry Of Voters.
SETTLED BY STATUTE
CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT OF
1888 RESPONSIBLE.
Its Provisions Set Forth-Members Of
Parliament Though Innocent May
Be Unseated.
Written for The Star.

Written for The Star.
The charges that have arisen out of the
recent elections in New York are followed
with intense interest in England. That IN
terest, however, Is of a purely academic
nature, seeing that the problem of securing
fair play and square dealing at electoral
contests has been practically settled in this
country. Change, indeed. from the
condition of affairs that prevailed within
the memory of men Of middle age Is amaz-
Ing, and the practices that were formerly
INDUCED in for the intimidation or bribery
Of voters seem to belong to the domain Of
ancient history.
For this salutary change the statute
known as the corrupt practices act Of 1883
Is largely responsible. But of course 1t
would have been impossible to pass that
drastic law If there had not existed
strong and healthy public opinion in favor
OF Its provisions. The author Of the act
was Lord James Of Hereford, then Sir
Henry James. and attorney general in Mr..
Gladstone's administration Bribery ana
intimidation were of course illegal prior to
the passing of the act of 1888; but Sir
Henry James aimed at the many articles
aoopteo TO eVade the other statutes, and
the history of elections since the passing
or his act shows how thoroughly he sue
ceeded in MS object.
Speeches Against the Bill.
1t Is, indeed highly amusing now to re-
call the speeches that were made in the
house of commons against the bill One
doughty champion of the old order OF
things characterized 1t is a "Pharisaical
bill, and declared IF the government really
desired to stop corruption they ought to
begin by abolishing the ballot acts, which
no longer permit man to give his vote in
an hohest, manly way, as formerly, while
they enable the dishonest voter still further
to lower himself by accepting brides from
both sides" Other pessimists solemnIy pre-
dicfed that If the bill became law it would
drive honest men from the house of COM
mons
That the act Is drastic admits of no
doubt. Under its provisions a man who
is perfectly innocent of any attempt at
corruptfn may lose his seat. This was il
lustrated in very shrinking manner after
the general election of 1892, when several
petltionS were presented against the return
of successful candidates. One of these ne
ntions related to the borough Of Walsall
During the hearing which followed 1t was
given in evidence before the election Judges
that large number OF cards had been dis
tributed bearing the portrait of the sue
cessful candidate. and the words PLAY I'D,
Swifts Ia local foot man team James for
WalsalL Each OF the cards had it's cor
ners cut off, to enable It to be stuck into
a hat band, and that simple circumstance
led to the respondent in the case being un-
seated.
1t is quite legal to issue cards, but the
corrupt practices act lays it down that
there must be payment for bands of
music, torches, flags, banners, cockades
ribbons or masks of distinction In the
present instance IL was held that the cards
badge. and the election was accordingly
inya.tdated
Why One Was Unseated.
tn.
that effect, said il was perfectly well
known that the statute intended to prohibit
the use Of the election badges that had
been familiar in bygone years, and he
added that so long as cards alone were
used there could be no objection but that
where. as In the present case the cards
Were made to be worn, they became party
badges.
Hard though the fate of the unsea ted can
didate at Walsall undoubtedly was, the
trainers OF the corrupt practices act in
making the purchase OF marks OF dstinc-
ton Illegal were not acting without con-
sideration. On the contrary they had In
mind the subtle forms of bribery which 1t
was desirable to stamp out. During the de-
bate ON the bill, indeed. case was c.ted
where $4,000 had been paid for rosettes an
expenditure that in one OF the small Dor
oughs that existed prior to the last redis-
trtbution act would have announced to
substantial sum for every elector.
The law relating to municipal elections is
practically on the same lines as that which
applies to parliamentary contests But in
England municipal elections are not fought
with anything like the keenness that pre-
walls at elections for the house of COM
mons, and a brief description of the parlia.
mentary corrupt and illegal practices act
IS OF more interest than an examinatio of
the law as 1t applies to municipal elections
Provisions of Act of 1883.
In the first place. the act Of 1889 limits
the amount Of the expenses which a candi-
date may incur in proportion to the number
of electors. In a borough or town con-
siituency sum of 81 $50 is allowed for the
first 2,000 electors. $1,000 If the number ex-
ceeds 1000, and $50 for every complete
LOCO above 1000. The scale is higher in
county constituencies. which in most cases
cover wide area and contain towns and
villages at great distances from each other
Here the sum Of 81, $50 is allowed for the
first 2.00O voters, $3.50 if the number is
between 2O00 and 5000 and an additional
goo Tor every complete 600 over the 2oOO
Il sometimes happens that candidate be-
gins to woo a constituency months or even
years before an election. and In that case
In order to prevent the amount legally al
lowed to him for expenses being exhausted
before actual fighting begins, he may style
himself the prospective candidate and
decline until the contest is near at hand TO
give definite reply to the invitation to
contest the seat which has emanated from
the local political association. There are a
great many prospective candidates before
the English constituencies at the present
moment.
heard one of the most prominent party
agents IN England express the opinion q
few days ago that he knew OF no legisla-
tive measure that had so effectually carried
out the purpose for which it was intended
as the corrupt practices act OF 1888 The
penal clauses of the statute are very Sc
we're: a man may, for instance, be sent for
penal seryitude for seven years for know
lngly making a false declaration Of cleo
ton expenses. Personating an eiector or
aiding and abetting In such personation Is
punishable with two years Imprisonment
aYad