Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-06-16
WY NotlFavor Clean Eleotlons7


President Roosevelt is nowise back
ward in letting the country know when
be iavors particular item Of legislation.
He imparts the information through the
columns of the daily newspapers, effect
lively and authontativoly, although not
officially.
When the President decided to accept
the Allison amendment TO the Railroad
Rates bill instead Of the Lodge amend
ment. TO which he had committed himself
originally, he called all the Washington
correspondents 10 the White House and
informed them Of his change Of heart
OF course, the correspondents quickly in
formed the country. Again, few days
ago, the President summoned the COR
respondents 70 tho White House and in
formed them that he was very much in
favor Of tho proposed appropriation of
$4,000 per annum as a contingent fund
for the travelling expenses Of the President
Of the United States And again the cor
respondents informed tho country.
Now, no matter what may be- said about
the proprioty Of the President Of tho
United States thus taking hand and en-
dcavoring TO influence legislation by
making his wishes known to the Con-
gross and the country, no fault may be
found with his methods for securing pub
hcity. They arc proper and effective
Also, while his meddling propensities
viii not receive general public rccommen-
dation, there will be few 70 dispute the
proposition that so long as he has made
up his mind TO interfere whenever it may
please him 70 do 80, il viii be well for him
TO exercise a sense OF wise discrimination,
and single out the best measures for the
honor OF direct administrative sympathy
and influence
There is one measure pending before
Congress which the President could pub
licly support without incurring the
slightest danger Of damage to his personal
OF Presidential reputation. Il is the Till
man bill TO prohibit contributions OF
corporation money 20 the campaign fund.
OF political committees. It is, Of itself
apurcly non-partisan measure and that IL.
operations, if enacted, would be directed
more strongly against the political part,
Of the President is due solely 10 the fact
that the Presidents party has been mon,
guilty than any other political organiza
tion Of the offending that the propose,
law is aimed TO punish. This admirable
measure has passed the Senate and nov
reposos in committee in the House O
Representatives.
There is every reason why Prcsiden
Roosevelt should favor this bin. and a
be has publicly approved and urged IN
passage Of other measures, there is an th
more reason why he should publicl,
approve and urge its enactment. Ii
his last annual message he reierre
directly to the evil which this bin aim
to suppress. saying; can contribution
by corporations TO any political CON
mittee or for any political purpose what
ever should be forbidden by law" Thi
much he has done in the regular wa,
as laid down by the Constitution, whic
states that che shall, from time to tim,
give TO the Congress Information of IN
state Of the Union" Now, let him :
further in the path he has chosen wit
respect 70 other legislation, and, by cal
ing the correspondents together and e,
pressing his warm approval Of the pen,
ing measure, inform Congress and u
country that he is desirous OF a law
eiiectually prohibit tho contributions
corporation money for political purpos
the corrupt agency that was such
potent factor in his own election.
The corrupt use Of money in election
is the greatest evil that confronts Il
country. Hardly a community is e
empt from it. Here in Delaware v
have been overwhelmed by t. The pen
ing measure would not absolutely erae
cate the evil but Il would be a step in d
right direction. Its purpose is good, al
It is indorsed by able representatives
the Presidents party, including Senate
Knox and Foraker, who helped to fran
it. There is no doubt that the op
favor Of President Roosevelt would
sure its enactment.