The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-05

prospect Of success. I recommend
that the congress consider this subject
with a view to provide by legislation
for the transfer, distribution, console
dation and assignment of duties and
executive organizations or parts Of or
CARNATIONS, and for the change in bus
mess methods, within or between the
several departments, that viii best
high character of the government
Federal Elections.
In my last annual message said:
1.-THE power of the government to
protect the integrity of the elections
of its own officials is inherent and has
been recognized and affirmed by re-
peated declarations of the supreme
court. There is no enemy of free gov
eminent more dangerous and none 50
lnsld1ous as the corruption of the cleo
lOrate. 10 one defends or excuses cor
rupuon, and it would seem to follow
that none would oppose vigorous mea-
sures to eradicate it. recommend the
enactment of a law directed against
bribery and corruption in federal
elections The details of such law
may be safely left to the wise discre-
tlon OF the congress, but it should go
as far as under the constitution it IS
possible to go, and should INCLUDE Sc
we're penalties against him who gives
or receives a bribe intended to influ-
ence his act or opinion as an eIector;
ana provisions for the publication not
only of the expenditures for nonlina-
tlons ana elections Of all candidates:
but also of all contributions received
and expenditures made by political
committees"
desire to repeat this recommends
ton In political campaigns in a
country as large and populous as ours
1t IS inevitable that. there should be
much expense of an entirely legitimate
kind. This, of course, means that many
contributions. and some of them Of
large size, must be made, and as q
matter of fact, in any big political con-
test such contributions are always
made to both sides. It is entirely prop
er both to give and receive them, un-
less there is an improper motive con-
nected with either gift or reception If
they are eXtOrted by any kind OF pres
sure or promise, express or implied.
direct or indirect, in the way of favor
or immunity, then the giving or re-
ceiving becomes not only improper but
criminal. 1t viii undoubtedly be diff
ficult as q matter of practical detail to
shape an act which shall guard with
reasonable certainty against such mis-
conduct; but if it is possible to secure
by law the full and verified publication
in detail of all the sums contributed
to and expended by the candidates or
committees of any political parties the
result can not but be wholesome. All
contributions by corporations to any
pOltiCai cOlnIfitleS or LOT any pOAlt1Cdl
purpose should be forbidden by law
directors should not be permitted to
USE stockholders money for such pur-
poses; and, mOreovet prohibition of
this kind would be. a far as it went,
an effective method of stopping the
evils aimed at in corrupt practices acts.
Not only should not the national and
the several state legislatures forbid any
officer. of a corporation from using the
money of the corporation in or about
election Int ShnI1l6 aISn forbid
such use of money in connection with
any legislation save by the employ
ment Of counsel in public manner for
distinctly legal services.