Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-28
RESTRICT CANDIDATES
LAWS FOR REGULATING ELEC-
TIONS IN IRELAND.

Special Cablegram to The Star.
DUBLIN, January 27.-There has been SO
widespread a discussion in America over the
matter of campaign contributions by cor
porations and the question of what con-
stitutes legitimate election expenses that
the people of the United States will be in
terested in knowing how. even in this matter
OF campaign contributions, the legislation
has been distinctly against Ireland. For
instance, the maximum amount which
candidate may spend an election in a
county division in Ireland is considerably
less than that allowed candidate in Eng
land or Scotland. In England he is legally
allowed to expend, exclusive of sheriffs'
expenses, So, $50, where the number of
electors on the register does not exceed
1000 plus $500 for every additional 1000
electors over~2. 600. - In ireland the ex-
penditure in county divisions Is limited TO
$500, where the number of electors does
not exceed 1000, plus $500 for every 1000
electors above 2eO0. In Irish and English
boroughs the maximum expenditure when
the registered electors do not exceed 1000
is the same, S1,150, plus $50 for every ad-
ditional LOCO electors; but in Irish boroughs
the maxim expenditure when the electors
do not exceed 500 is $1,000; not exceeding
LOCO electors, $1,2o0; not exceeding 800
electors, S1,375; while in all of these cases
the candidate in English borough is
allowed the limit for 1000 electors, viz,
S1,75o
Baron Pollock in a Judgment on an cleo
ton petition shows the restriction that the
law throws around matters of this sort,
saying
From the beginning of election right
down to the very end the candidate must
take care not only to abstain from treating
but not even to be seen in the public
houses, except where 1t is absolutely neces-
Sary."
Law Forbids Treating.
How would American statesmen, for in
stance, like d rule forbidding them from
treating or being seen in public house?
But this is only one of the many restric-
tons which a candidate is likely to en-
counter These restrictions are worse In
Ireland because they are more likely to be
enforced here. But for that matter, many
unique things exist in all parts of the
united kingdom. If candidate pays
excessive price for anything 1t may be con-
sidered bribery. If he is rich he must oe
content with one election room for each 500
voters and one clerk and one messenger.
He must not treat or reward or make
gifts or promise rewards presents or loans
he must not subscribe to a local band fund
he must not pay for hire, railway fare
or tram fare for voters to the polls He
cannot provide flags, banners or badges,
cockadeS, ribbons, torches or bands OF
music for his supporters, or even give a
hat card He may make use of friends
voluntarily lent carriage or car to hurry
up voters, but he cannot treat pay or
tip" the driver. He must not pay his
canvassers. or pay any elector for posting
up bills unless he is bill poster or adver-
Using agent.
His agent or recognized supporters my
not do any of these things, and the can
dtdate is responsible for restraining them
from Illegal acts or Illegal expenditures
ana he must prevent his supporters threat
ening or terrorizing supporters on the other
side Imprisonment, fine, loss OF civil rights
are the consequences of any of these in
Engagements of the law in addition A
paid agent cannot vote at an election Bills,
placards, ETC., must bear the address of
the printer and publisher. Electors may,
however, be conveyed to the polls by sea
where they would have to cross the sea or
branch of 1t to get from their residences
to the polling places.