New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-22
PURE ELECTION BILLS.
assembly Judiciary Committee to
Hold Hearing Tomorrow.

ALBANY Ian q (spec,aD-The Assembly Com
nittee the Judiciary will hold a public hearing
on Tuesday, January 3d. on the various bills 10
prevent corrupt practices at elections which are
before It for consideration These comprise nVe
measures introduced at the request OF the Assocla-
ton to Prevent Corrupt Practices at Elections, OF
which Seth Low is chairmanT the measure pre-
sented by the committee of which Perry Belmont
Is chairman. and a measure introduced by Senator
White and Assemblynan Cox. Next to the in
surance legislation which the Armstrong committee
will present, these bills are among the most I'M
portant which will be brought before this legfs-
lature. ranking with the measures for the repeal
OF the mortgage tax and the bills to provide 30
cent gas for New-York City.
Because Of the disclosures at the insurance in
vestigation OF the campaign contributions by large
corporations, and Senator P1att's frank acknowl-
edgrnent that "quid pro quo' was expected from
the political parties much interest attaches to
bills The subject Of bribery at elections, TO
which they also apply, was so much before the
public at the recent municipal election in New
York City that the measures are considered most
timely. Measures OF a similar character, requiring
wide publicity to the expenditures Of national
committees, now pending before Congress
The measures advocated by the Association to
Prevent Corrupt Practices at Elections were pre-
sented by Senator Bracket and Assemblyman
Wainwright. The five bills are designed to be an
extension of the present New-York laws, two
amendments to the general election law, two
amendments to the Penal Code and an amend
ment to the general corporation law. They do not
limit anybodys right to spend money for political
purposes. but make necessary the making public
of all such expenditures except money contributed
10 4 campaign organization. in which case the Or
ganizatton must furnish an accounting OF its con-
tributions.
compelling candidates to file statements Of their
election expenses and STATEMENTS as to political
Others sngaged dnd in Political o m95 Jul Fe
which must be incorporated In the report OF the
Section AN. which now forbids many expenditures
pFo per Since ho%eXe1 the hiring Of
often have been made a cloak for bribery, the
each election district in city and four in the
country. and Of workers to four in each election
district.
An amendment to the Penal Code forbids cam
P T;a contributions by or in behalf Of corpora
sb LIABLE 1s to gds ne t fer the Judge
money the law permits " --'''
n as to 6 noe NJ o4 1 5 64E an
an election district after fling bond for $3.50 If
bribery. that party shall lose the votes cast in that
may prove that votes WERE Cast fu for h r6ba4
and have them counted. The party may be de-
The Belmont committees bill is H modeiIed after
the laws now existing in Massachusetts and Con-
ton expenses the prevention Of Corporation con-
T nee de of pa political
tee as an association Of three or more persons for
political purposes 1t provides that candidates
aslde from personal expenses. shall spend money
Tor political purposes only through such a commit
zee ~ II makes provision for the detailed publication
Quiry into the truth of such Statements NAV he
conducted only by the Attorney General Of the
State the District Attorney of the county whA-ein
the false statement is alleged to have been fled or
officers ceputed by these officers A %
The measure introduced BY Senator White also
up the tn idea Of b publicity Of campaign e
pendltures and tho prevention of contributIons bv
ny
The measure against grating drawn IN, so,-
ator Marks, which has been reported by he ST.
aLe CoInnltee on Codes, also deals in great dsfai1
Win the prevention of campaign contribnfionS p,
especially public service oorporafonSy
n ehe t expenditure OF money for legislation II
great detail the names Of officers and agents Who
a ai1 or indirectly and certified accounts of fs