Churchill standard. (Fallon, Nev) 1903-1908, 1905-10-28

practice of making political eontribu-
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 il is known that there are many
Senators and Representatives who
would favor prompt action in the en-
actment of prohibitiye legislation.
Chambers Bill to Prohibit Con-
tributionS.
AS far back as 1901, Senator Chand-
Ter of New Hampshire, introduced {
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 fayorably reported to the SEN
ate, but it was near the end OF the
short session and it failed of passage.
LIZ CIV 1a1L ihut IL SoaAo AOt ~
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
atieal. 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 is 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 one 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 as not to be condemned,
but as of advantage in having tnr
questions of the day properly under
stood by the voters.
Leaders in Congress are 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 Sen
tors and a large number OF Represen-
tatives who will wish to go on record
saying 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
emit medicines, which contain consider
able alcohol, is bound to receive serl-
Gus consideration by Congress, espe-
cially if the present rate of the Treas
ury deficit continues. The denclt Is
running about S., 000, 900 a month now,
which is considerably less than last
year, still it is possible hat 1t may
increase to an annoying extent ana
n~ecessitate some action by Congress.
There has been a number OF extra ex-
penses which has caused the denclt,
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-
Der of congressional eaders nave nad
in mind, as a partial increase In tne
emu desired, a tax on patent meoi-
cines,
Patent Medicine Men Will Fight.
The Commissioner of Internal Rev
enue has been called upon for unofficial
information and an opinion on these
n%on-revenue producing alcoholics. The
patent medicine people recognize that
a fight is ahead and they propose to
meet 1t. They will resist efforts to
impose special taxes upon them, claim
ing with apparent force that the alco-
hol used In their medicines has al
ready paid its tax.