The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-06-14
LESS FINANCIAL!
AID IN ELECTIONS |. |: }
Measure Directed Against De-
baucl,ing OF Suffrage Not In
tended to Prohibit Aid.
CORPORATIONS ADVOCATE IT
Object to Being Held Up Every
-Four Years by National
Committee.
/, Il, ~ !, oe,,,ar c,orrespondent1-' y.


WASHINGTON, June 18,--1he cam
paipn politicians who enjoy hanu'''s
money, in election years are plainly "or-
ried. they realize that the coming Con-
pressonal campaign will have to be con-
Quoted with less financial ways anu
F,s,neans than in the last dozen campaigns
which about covers the period OF larse
,tr,hnt;ons ia national and Congress
sional committees
The first measure directed asainst VIZ
debauchery of suffrage through tiie . use
~ money was not intended 10 proNipit
campaign contributions, pu. " 49, ,,1
A nnh,io the names OF contributors anu
- Dive publicity also to the use MADE
~ Inc money contributed. This was
,ha principle OF the Mccall bill, which
has heen under consideration ny inc
House Committee on Election OF Ptesl-
dent Woe President and Representatives
: in Congress. ~, .. !,
,rh,s was the measure which einanh'ssl
from the National Publicity l3ill o " /.
& iYation Of when Mr.. Perry Belmont -
X New York Is the president ana " WIZ. :.
s. helonr many prominent men OF po,ll
(. nartics, some OF whom are consp'euousiS
identified with both National ana = C NSl
K rressIonal Committees for both the re
! publcans and the Democrats.
Scary Proposition.
II ,r,.. All, was considered for months.
~. ,,.ae soon-manifest that IT would have
.rnihle The Republicans found IT q
scary proposition. They were exceed-
incly shy about II, and found al poss.-
sble fault With it, as thing that lnlsnt
be evaded.. Thereupnn, Mr.. auckcr. q y
Missouri, asked md was given oppor.
z tunity which at least served the emu "
delay for the Republicans, to prepare q
& ma s,,re which would meet objections
and at the same time preserve the prlhel-
Z MA OF publicity, to which the Republican
Il members protested themselves agree
able.
When Mr.. Rucker got his bill ready
+ they found 1t as objectionable as tho
D original measure. They voted 1t out OF
4 the way, with the assurance that they
would have bill, which would answer
all desirable requirements. f:.ereupon,
after considerable delay, Chairman Gaines
&canle forward with a bill. Instead OF
combining publicity to national ard con-
gressional committees, It provided lor
publicity of money contributed Tor az
persons voted for at both Stale ana
-eic%tlShN liat 49,
Federal Office. Thesmajorty Of the9con-
niittee voted TO report the Gaines bill
Naturally, the Democrats opposed IT. II
involved interference with State olec-
Hons against which the publicity Dill
organization had definitely and strongly
declared. leaving contributions for ate
elections as a matter to be handled by
the States, as, had been done by Massa-
.cnusettss and Missouri.
The minority members We're given little
opportunity to consider the bill. It was
sent to the House calendar. where it is Y
likely 10 remain undisturbed at this ses-s
sion at least. unless 1t gets to the floor
through n rule providing for its consid-E
Grafton. The Democrats would oppose
except they be permitted
to propose amendments. one OF which
would certainly strike out every part In
Solving a State election. II is not now
believed that any effort will be made on
this line In the House by the Republicans
until after the November elections. The
impression made by the Gaines bill
among the friends Of national and con-
gressional campaign publicity is that his
measure was Intended to make the prop
5osition obnoxious by loading II with pro-
visions for publicity OF all contributions
for the election of all officers, from Pres
ident down to constable.
81 But the fighttfor legislation to regulate
and make phblla the nse of money In
national and congressional campaigns is.
by no means ended. II will be renewed
mt the next session, It is quite probable
that Speaker Cannon, who Is all-pawerful
when it comes to indicating what he will
allow to be considered by the House.
has given word that there is no chance
for any publicity bill ut this stage of the
proceedings. The House Is at the mercy
OF the Speaker and his political lienten-
ants OF the Rules Committee. FL
Action Of Senate.
In the Senate it is different. The Sen
ate members enjoy more liberty. They
have tackled the use Of money at cleo
tons as though they We're not deferred
by any guilty reputation. The passage
by the Sdnate--thc Republican Senate
OF measure introduced by a Democrat,
q