New-York tribune., 1906-11-11
Copyright. 1906. by J.

no particular effort on your own part and with
out spending any money!?
Il served seven years in the House of Repre-
sentatives and was elected four times. l paid a
small contribution each campaign TO the Re
publican committee, and that ALL 1 spent
money myself. | didn't have II. Moreover.
money was not necessary. If had been rich
man and in close district. l don't know what
I would have done. / can only hope that l
would have been as decent from choice and
principle as l actually was under my limita-
tiOns and the necessities of the case. l have
much sympathy with the rich man who gets
into a hot political contest and opens his pocket
book to save himself the humiliation of defeat.
Nevertheless, the use Of money in politics Is
one Of the serious and growing peris of our
time.
we have got to meet this question in the
United States. There must be laws on the sub
iect. would limit the amount of money that
could be spent in the election of every candidate
under our various departments of government,
from city councilman to the President of the
United States And then l would compel the
publication Of all expenses, even to the cost OF
postage stamps. I would make II unlawful for
a corporation TO contribute a cent to any party
or any nominee. Corporations may be patriotic.
NAV have a sincere interest in the result of an
election but their boards of directors have no
right To vote away the money OF their share
holders If they want TO give, let them so into
their own pockets. and then let the names of
all contributors be printed for the scrutiny of
the people
II believe you came to the opinion that the
wav to fight the trusts was 10 stop the railroads
from giving them special rates on freight and
a
petitors?"
Il thought 1t would help in the effort to bring
the trusts within the law and fair practice My
own view is that trusts and monopolies would
never have grown to he menace TO the welfare
of this country if they had been denied prefer
cntial treatment by the railroads
y was happy in the opportunity which awaited
me when ! left the navy and took the place I
have The railroads said: There is law enough.
We have ceased to give rebates, anyway The
statement was inconsistent 10 say the least.
After time concluded that the rallroads were
RIGHT as 10 there being law enough and wrong
when they declared that rebates had stopped.
Subsequent events confirmed my conclusion
Nov many cases were brought against the
There have been ninety cases brought against
railroads. persons and corporations under the
Interstate Commerce law since Mr., Roosevelt
rcCame President. SiXty-three or ";llch were
under the F,lkins act
Were there Convictions2"
Yes Fines amounting to over S3IoWH nave
heen levied and in two Instances sentences or
imrrisonment were imposed. So far twenty
threa persons and corporations have been con-
victed"
that the courts might send railroad ofheers 10
THAT is true However do no: believe that
a money fine is a light or Intellectual method or
/ Dunishmant But the world takes that view
ITrIot g. asks do the officers of railroad care
if they are made to pay $4,000? They have
rlentv of money They care great deal USu-
aUv thev are conspicuous men In business ana
+ eoriatv and even the Church. They are called
-. oourt convicted of breaking the law. and
[ 6ned like culprt before a police magistrate
mont tel me they are Indifferent 10 such shame
| ard ~ such a stigma They wear the brand
! he rest of their lives and are buried with IL
p,,t oven so q day IN Jail Is better still I'M
rrisonrnent not only makes the penalty mo-" "
| drastic but il satisfies public opinion. and het
/ 80 +hoD All II is n powerful deterrent Cunse-
! ouentIy 1 wac in favor OF 1t. and asked 10 nave
| II nut back into the law