The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-12-21

IL is certain that the future relations OF
the United States with the western coast
of South America will be far more lntl-
mate than those Of any European states,
and that the sphere Of political and COM
mercial influence that opens up before the
United States in South America is a vast
one
Honesty OF American Elections.
Mr. Bryce discusses the honesty of
American elections with much frankness.
Regarding corruption and bribery, in
stead of condemning us sweepingly, as
so many foreigners have done. Mr.. Bryce
expresses the following view
Bribery is a sporadic disease, but
often intense when it occurs. Most parts
of the Onion are pure-as pure as Scot
land-where from 1868 till 1892 there was
noly one election petition for alleged
bribery. other parts arc no better thah
the small boroughs of Southern England
were before the corrupt practices act Of
1883 No place, however, not even the
poorest ward ina New York City. sinks be-
low the level OF such constituencies as
Yarmouth, or Sandwich, used to be in
England.
Upon the question Of the lavish use Of
money in election expenditures. Mr.
Bryce is not disposed 20 regard the United
States worse than England was up TO
about 1884. Since then. he thinks. the
evil in the United States has grown rap
idly. Mr.. Bryce remarks:
Bribery Ia United States.
a few States have now passed such
statutes. Those Of Missouri and Califor-
MIA are described as likely 10 prove eff
cient: those Of Massachusetts and Kansas
as less drastic, but fairly useful; those
of New York. Michigan, and Colorado
as amounting TO little more than pro-
visions for the compulsory publication OF
/ certain items Of expenditure
In Pennsylvania it would appear that
the acts are seldom put In force The
practice. so general in America, Of con
Quoting elections by a party committee.
which makes its payments on behalf OF
al the candidates running ia the same
interests. renders IT more difficult than il
I is in Britain to tx a definite limit 20 the
expenditure. either by a candidate himself
or upon the conduct Of the election
Hopeful of the south.
As to the South. Mr. Bryce speaks in
hopeful vein. He says:
/ Everywhere there is progress; in some
regions such progress that one may fairly
call the South new country. The pOpu-
| lauon is. indeed. unchanged, for few
/ settlers come from the North, and no
part Of the United States has within
/ the present century received so small a
| share OF European immigration. Slavery
was a fatal deterrent while it lasted,
and Of late years the climate, the pres
ence Of the negro. and the notion that
work was more abundant elsewhere. have
! continued TO defect in q more Northerly
direction the stream that flows from Eu-
rope But the old race, which is, ex-
eept in Texas. where there is a small
7 Mexican ard q larger German element
and in 10 sisiaua, pure English and
/ Scotch-Irish race. fun OF natural strength
/ has been stimulated and iuvisorated by
/ the changed condition of its life.
/ 1T sees IN the mineral and agricultural
/ resources Of its territory prospect OF
/ wealth and population rivaling those OF
/ the Middle and Western States. II has
/ recovered its fair share OF influence ir
/ the national government IL has no re
/ grets over slavery. for 1t recognizes the
! barbarizing influence that slavery eXerted
Neither does 1t cherish any dreams OF
/ separation II has now a pride In the
I Union. as well as in its State, and as ir
some WAYS more fresh and sanguine thar
/ the North. because less clOyed by luxury
I than the rich are there. and less dis
! couraged by the spread Of social unrest
/ than the thoughtful have been there.