West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1906-08-02
PUBLICITY OF
ELECTION
EXPENDITURES
PERRf BELMONT In
Noyfb HmeyicGn RevietV
Fer February

ne totat sum NJ the command OF the
: nocratic National Committee in the
buchanan campaign was loss than Ss5 OoO
Thc amount expended by the Republican
National Committee during the Lincoln
campaign OF isoo was "A little over SiO0C0o.
The enormously Increased campaign eN-
pcnditures during several uf thc recent
Presidential campaigns are 20 bo esu-
mated I'm millions.
Does the contrast imp'y corresponding
Increase Of votes bought Does the
change mean that corporations Nave been
brought into politics ly assaults ON the
currency and on vested rights Does IL
mean that money protects money or that
the war-chest of protection Is incNhaust-
iblc? Does Il indicate that the dcstines
OF the country are To be regulated by
combined interests?
III "a remedy Is to be applied. should Il be
by new laws. or by party orstnisr tons
reforming themselves? Should The new
laws be federal? Should corporations.
sholld trades-unions be permitted to give
money In elections ought the people TO
know how much money Is devoted 70 the
defeat OF "A candidate. or policy. or party?
VIII publicity promote or impede such ef-
forts? Would IL not. n required under ef-
fcctivc penalties increase the efficiency OF
existing laws7
only well-instructed public opinion can
correctly answer such questions Party
leaders in intimate touch with the con-
duct OF political campaigns appreciate the
intolerable burdens and growing evils Of
present conditions Those who have con-
tributed To- campaign funds and who have
been closely Identified with the more inn
portant corporate and political activities.
are among the most earnest advocates OF
measures tending To restrain such contri-
buttons, especially on the part OF corpora
uOns. Those who represent interests OF
stockholders. or who are themselves stock
holders. In corporations have perhaps most
kcenly recognized the menncc OF such
increasing cXactions. 10 IS true that Moth
ing need be added 20 the present legal
rights OF the stakeholder a single stock
holder having already a complete risht of
action I'm case OF expenditure OF any por-
tion OF corporate funds COR political pur-
poses. Owing in part TO the present dim
cultics OF obtaining necessary Information.
individual stockholders have rarely been
disposed to vindicute their rights Tho en-
forcement Of publicity by Federal and
State laws VIII assist IN bringing stock
holders suits.
Those who best know the danger lead In
pointing out the practical avenues OF es-
cape. Unlike almost al ether reform
politicians IL starts 81 the Very center OF
politics. Usually. the roformer encounters
objections arising out OF the experience Of
those charged with party responsibilities.
Jackson. Democrat OF Democrats. n his
contest with tho Bank Of the United
States. first recognized an issue the
threatened domination OF national pol
itics by corporate influences. ana CON
uuered. I'm what Professor Sumner In his
Life OF Jackson calls "Onc OF the greatest
struggles between democracy and tho
money power" The elements Of that his
toric controversy seem now TO be gath
ering for renewed conflict. but Il IS idle
to attempt to identify the present move
ment essentially non-partisan In its ma
ture and national IN its extent. with
either OF the great political parties
Close upon the heels OF the Presidential
campaign OF 1892 I'm which. II Is known.
millions were expended on both sides. Mr..
Root. speaking Ia the New York Consti-
tutiOnnl Convention OF 1891. In reference
to the proposed Incorporation into the
State Constitution OF an amendment rea-
tive TO Corrupt Practices said (Ecyised
Record. Vol. H. page 3D.
"Jhe object Of this provision is % 90.
require the Legislature 20 say what mons
ey may hc used to procure the election Of
candidate Until that Is done. there is
absolutely no limit 10 the corruption. no
limit Co the purchase OF votes. no limit to
the improper influence OF votes. or OF par
ties, or Of party men.
THAT is very small step In the direc-
tIon OF the Corrupt Practices Act In force
in England which has worked such admi-
robe results. 49,. II you enumerate the
ways in which money may be used,
and then confine candidates for Of
fee party committees. party agents. the
agents OF candidates. to those uses. and.
as penalty for any knowing departure
from those limitations, forfeit the office.
you will have very different state of af-
fairs IN respect TO what has be-
come one OF the great and crying evils
OF our politics. The use Of money
hns come TO such a pass at the hands Of
both of the great political parties In this
country that we find enormous contribu-
tioDs necessary TO maintain party ma
chinery to conduct party warfare and
the effect IS that great moneyed interests.
corporate and personal. are cxcrting year
~ more and more undue influence IN pO-
iitical affairs. ... and political parties are
every year contracting greater debts TO
tho men who can furnish the money 70
perform the necessary functions Of party
warfare"
The amendment reported from the Ju-
dietary Committee was as follows
Article 2 is hereby amended by adding
thc following sections:
"scc lhe LEGISLATURE shall. by gem
tral laws. declare the uses which may be
itwfuliy mHdC of money or other valuable
things by. or on behalf Of. any person 10
promote h's nomination as candidate
FOR public pnicr md by or on behalf OF "a
candidate o. promote his election
''rhe use OT promise OF money or other
valuable thing 20 promote the nomination
for. or election 90. public office Of any per-
son otherwise than IS expressly author
iZed 10y law is prohibited. and the person
by whom or for whose benefit with his
consent connlvance or procurement. the
same Is so used or promised. n elected
shall forfeit his office
"scc T. No corporation shall directly or
Indirectly uso any Of its money or prop
lrtY for or IN aid Of. any political party
or organization. or for. or I'm aid of any
candidate for political Office or FOR nomf
nation FOR such Office, or in any manner
use any of SIS money or property for any
political purpose whatever OF for the re-
imhurgcusent or decentralization Of any
person FOR moneys or property so used"
The third reading OF the amendment
was ordered by % vote Of 72 % q. but Il
did not knas mainly because. power being
already lodged in the Legislature. n was
unnecessary Go Incorporate ln the Con-
stitutlon uf the state what was practical
ly % statute
ttr Root referring 20 tho proposed re-
Ftflctiou Of corporate contributions. said:
The Rcnublican brefhren do NOT