West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1906-08-02

i
der tho Federal statute. must charge an
attempt TO Affect tho Congregational clcc-
ton, and the speedy result win be not
less bribery Ia respect 90 that election
but more likely large Increase. con.
trivcd ana conducted IA such way ma 10
prevent proof or the real purpose. by pro.
tSnc"s ot duercnt purposes "-(29 Fod
Rep. NN-9l
The purport OF legislation requiring pub
lcltN IN respect to campaign cNprnditurcs
u TO SECURE the freedom or elections from,
improper Influences 70 this end the in
direct restraints OF the Currupt Practices
Acts are moro cfoctual than the direct
prohibitions and penalties uf ntttut.s IN,d =
eral OF state pcualizinR bribery
The adequacy OF cNistius laVs TO punish
one proved guilty OF bribery many hr Rd.
mlttVd oN general proposition That
spccihc legislation ~ this nature has not
proved effective to protect tho si.o excr.
ciso OF the franchise from the undue in
huence of campaign cNpCnditv'vt must
also be admitted N IT, "A Cri.io which Is
not readily susceptible of dtcct proof
The remedy sought In tho statutes already
cited and In the suggested Federal lcgisin-
ton IN rather one OF prevention bN inJl.
rcction II is the Limitation and trruin.
tion Of the possible sources and agencies
OF corruption witch IL uf primary prac-
Ucal Importance. The chief mdupcment
70 bribery must hc removed hv throwing
fAfcruuris about the present ttrtsponsi-
blo use Of campaign FUNDS The chief
remedy proposed by such legislation IN
publicity not purely police or pcnnl rern.
lntion of tho grossvt forms OF bribsrv
IL can not be successfully Contcudcd
mat Congress has not constitutional now.
er To insure" by enforcing publicity. an
end which in the exercise OF Its undoubt
ed authority II has sought TO reach by
more direct but loss effective legislation
The supreme Court has declared
III this government ls anything more
thhh mere aggregation OF delegated
agents OF other States and governments.
each Of which Is superior TO tho rcnerni
government. II mhst have the power to
protect the elections on which ita exist
cnce depends from violence and corrup-
tion.
III this be so. and II IL not doubted. are
such powers annullod because an election
FOR state officers ~ held az the same time
and place. Is II any less important that
the election OF members OF Congrcgs
should be the free choice OF all the elect
oIs' because state officers are TO bc elect.
cd nt the Same timer
"In republican govcrnmont like o,,rg
where political power In reposcd I'm repre-
sentatives OF the entire body OF tho pco-
pie. chosen AT short intervals by populnr
elections. tho temptations 60 contrpl these
elections 10y violence and by corruption
are constant source of danger
III tho government OF the United States
has within Its constitutional domain no
authority 20 provide against these evils
~ Nil' WHY sources OF power may hc moi
Honed by corruption or controlled hv Vio-
lence and Outrage. without legal rsatraint
then. Indeed. II the country ln danger ana
its best powers. its highest purpop,a the
hopes which II inspires. ana the love
which cusht!rcH g. arc NJ tho mercy ar
the combinations OF those who respect no
right but brute force. ON tho one hand
ana NnprinCiuled Corruptlouista on tho
other" Gl0 a. s.. p. CGD
Upon All existing precedent and authori-
~. "A Federal statute fOrbiddlng the secret
expenditure of money to influence an cleo
tiou at which CouRrcssmun d. 10 be
chosen. would bo valid and' Dffrctunl 10
compel publicity In respect 20 an cNpendi-
lures tending TO influence the election OF
am candidate az such election T'bip would
include Presidential electors A large
number OF the States having already ro-
qu'red publicity of expenditures by po-
ltical state committees Congress may. ON
such Initiative. require OF political com
mitt"oH engaged ln promoting The election
or Presidential aud Congregational candl-
dates % similar publicity such elections
being held "a the same umc
VI
Concurrent cnnctmcnts could be adopted
In tine several states. In accordance with
the encouraging tendency Of the Icgisln-
uon OF the fifteen States already cnumer-
atod
u r. especially incumbent upon the state
Of New York. having. ln 1880 taken the
INITIATIVE lN tuih iufm or legislation. TO al
once supplement its deficient and ineffoc-
tive law Now York an important centre
Of political uctivity In national campaigns
should place Itself in line with the most
advanced legislation ~ other States Ow-
Ing 10 the failure OF tho Now York statute
20 require any statement from political
or campaign commtttccH n is possible 20
avoid publicity in respect 10 expenditures
for any amount or FOR any purposes II
on irresponsible committee and not tho
fIH NrHF al
burEemcuts. evasion Of the existing law IL
Invited Should publicity Doe required Of
committees. under penalty OF forfeiture Of
Office ana other effective punishmonts.
such az are provided IN several States. the
New York law would be- rendered opera
i've
VII
Should publicity OF expenditures by po-
lltical committees have the effect OF re-
duciug campaign contributions political
machinery and party efficiency would not
be harmed Tho reduction would cut OF
the camp followers. whose slight party
Affiliations serve no other purpose than 20
give occasion for utterly useless and ox-
travaRant expenditures. political or
RnnizatiOu- cannot be too perfect 90 bc cf-
fectivc. but managers OF national State
and local committees have often expert
cnced tho Injury caused by the employ
mcnt Of unnecessary campaign funds. alb
sOrbing and dvertlng from their normal
and more effective functions the vital en-
ergies of political leadership
Party organizations are essential 60 par
~ government; their Importance and use
fulnoss IN our political system should be
fully recognized. They can not be main
thincd without tho expenditure needed in
legitimate and honest politics. but No pop
ular organization. commanding n sufficient
amount OF interest among itH followers.
VIII Funcr permanent disability because
of limitations ana restraints upon con-
tribuuous and expenditures. The great
dcnOminatiOnal religious organizations of
this country are supported IN great part
BY small contributions When political or
ganizations are sustained by tho large
subscriptions of the few their activities
become parnlyzed by the development OF
q spirit Of dependence on the few
Voters should De Informed by unrc-
stricted and general diffusion of facts and
arguments pertinent 60 the Issues before
the country Tho great mass Of voters
reach their conclusions with little assist
anco from The insirumcntaltics toward
which campaign expenses are TOO often a.
rected. Newspapers and periodicals. are
n more effective educational force than
tons Of pamphlets usually distributed dur
Ing elections
Voters depend upon the great parties 90
frame issues 20 command their support.
and fp nominate properly qualified canIi-
dates lf party organization does not
prove equal t0 this task % Or a matter Of
small moment that 20 succeeds 800 raising
i4rge sums Or in perfccung "a machine
That aheorOs and datracts the major pore
uon of iuo political activity AZ tne come
mnnd 0f the party
Contributions hy corporations should be
restricted Tbr freedom of individuals 60
contribute according % their means and
iuclIratuue t1 party organizations need
NOT hn iufIrfrrod with bv legislation
ThcIe ie however. no Inherent Individual
right fo -..rccy in respect 90 activities in-
nuu.irr the great court Of public opin-
ION which lg thc result OF each national
election pIfere upou tho rights and prop.
eIty oi aN Nhe turning on Of the light
cannot br doomed nn unconstitutional IN.
crease ~ F.I.-Hi or State control
rIF VETERAN FAINTER. GRO C..