Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1906-08-09
MODERN FRAUDS
At ELECTION
AS THEY ARE TREATED IN
VARIOUS STATES.
EVEN DRINKING TABOOED
Kentucky a Shining Light in at
Least One Regard-lnteresting
Computation Made BY Miss Mar
oaret A. Schaffner of the Wiscon.
sin University.

The present agitation over cam
paign expenditures and contributions
to campaign funds by insurance COM
panies had made necessary thor
ough review of election legislation in
the United States and abroad for
reference in case the Wisconsin leg
islators desire to frame further laws
for the prevention of corruption in
this state. Such a review was under
taken by Miss Margaret A. Schalf-
ner, a graduate of the University of
Wisconsin, who received her doc
tors degree from the university in
1902. The results of her work are
embodied in a recent bulletin of The
state legislative reference department
The near approach of the state cleo.
lions gives an added interest to the
work, which includes American and
foreign interpretations of the term
political corruption" a statement Of
the purpose of limitations, and a re.
view of the laws and judicial decis.
ions regarding election frauds in nine
foreign countries and in every state
of the union.
Corrupt Practices Defined.
Under the British statute corrupt
practices at elections include bribery,
treating, undue influence, persona
ton and aiding, abetting, counsel
ing and procuring the offense of per
sonation, and knowingly making
false declaration as to election ex-
penses. The English law also de-
fines and provides penalties for IL
legal practices and illegal payments.
Tn the United States the definition
of political corruption varies in the
different states. A typical definition,
however, is found in tile Connecticut
law of last year, which designates tie
following acts as corrupt practices:
bribery; solicitation of candidates for
political committees; contributing
campaign funds to others than to
authorized treasurers or political
agents; offering to procure Office or
appointment for another in order TO
influence his vote; making or receiv-
ing campaign contributions under an
assumed name.
Foreign Laws.
The Austrian and Hungarian penal
codes provide punishment by imprison-
ment for corrupt practices at elect
ions. In Belgium there is not only
fine and Imprisonment provided for
such offenders, but any person who
has bribed or been bribed is deprived
of his electoral rights for FIVE years.
France Furnishes even attempts at
bribery by an Imprisonment of three
months to two years, or fine of fifty
to five hundred francs, or by both pen.
alties. Germany Furnishes such fraud
with Imprisonment and loss of civil
rights. Italy has a permanent election
commission of the Chamber of Depu-
N'So W Ah4biiC ihto SdoCo Va OuSDCCAtu
corruption. Persons convicted of cor
rupt election practices in Sweden are
ineligible to the Diet. The law further
provides Imprisonment with hard la
Dor for offenders, and corruption is
unknown there. The Nor
webian laws are similar.
tader sessifdleetaoinshrdl
Kentucky Forbids Drinks.
The laws of the United States are
the most interesting in their variety
Kentucky makes it misdemeanor to
give away liquor on election day, and
provides fine and imprisonment, with.
loss of Office and suffrage, for bribery.
Alabama adds to this a penalty OF
hard labor, and seven years ago
law was passed in that state making
a candidate convicted Of bribery in
eligible to office. In Arizona betting
On elections is a misdemeanor. as IS ,
failure to file a sworn itemized state
ment OF campaign receipts and ex-
penditures; both are punishable by
line, imprisonment and forfeiture of
office. In Arkansas election bribery
IS felony. and giving away intoxi-
cants on election day is prohibited.
California laws provide Imprisonment
Of from one to seven years for bribery
Or attempts at bribery, and punish bet.
ing and treating as misdemeanors.
Fine and Imprisonment are provided
n Colorado for giving away liquor on
election day. Bribery there is felony, I
and betting misdemeanor.
Connecticut fines candidates s25 a !
lay for default in filing campaign ex-
1enditurs statements. and Furnishes
1etting also by a fine Candidates
ound guilty Of corruption are ineligible |
o Office for four years. Penalty for
Of the election fraud act is a !
inc not exceeding 81 1000, or imprfson- I
nent Of not more than one year. or !
both. In Delaware a ten years Olsen. |
with fine and imprison.
nent are provided for bribery. Corpor- I,
alton contributions to campaign funds
ire forbidden in Florida. as is also the