The Cairo bulletin., 1907-01-10
URGE CAMPAIGN
PUBLICITY BILL
DEMOCRATS OF ONE ACCORD
WILL MAKE DETERMINED
FIGHT IN CONGRESS.
TOPRlNT CONTRIBUTIONS.
To National AS Well As Congressional
Campai gns--Measure May Find
pposition-Belmont Writes
to Hughes.

Washington Jan. 9.--Tcfore the enc
OF the present session of congress
there is one thing, at least, in which
the Democrats are determined to pre-
sent a united and aggressive front
and that Is the enactment of a cam.
paign publicity act, substantially the
measure proposed by the national
publicity bill organization through
Representative Mccall. of Massa
chusetts, which provides for the pub
licity OF campaign contributions and
expenses. The successful working OF
the New York publicity law at the
last election, abundant evidence of
which was furnished by newspapers
all over the Empire state. will be i'm
pressed upon members OF congress,
and 1t is believed that so good start
will be made that, with the backing
OF general public opinion, the next
presidential campaign and election
will be conducted under national
publicity law applying to national and
congressional committees
Charles E. Hughes the new Cover
nor OF New York, in his fir t message
TO the legislature, Jdst assembled. ex.
pressed unqualified appreciation of the
Law In way which was highly pleas
ing 10 those who with him had ad..
vocated he measure.
Former Congressman Perry Bel.
mont, who is head of the state, as
well a 5 president of the national cam
paign publicity organization, has adj
dressed fiom this city a letter to Gov
Hughes containing the following:
MY Dear Sir--On behalf of the
Publicity Bill Organization, OF, ,Hhieh /
you have been memur'F slhce MS +
inception, | have been authorized ny
The executive committee to convey tol
you the appreciation Of the reference
made to that movement in your FIRST
annual message 10 the New York
legislature. which follows
There is no better way of putting
an end to bribery anc corruption than
by compelling full publicity as toI
campaign expenditures. and th's was
the intent Of the legislation OF last
yea;.
"From the statement filed after the
late election the public has learned
of the large amounts that are needed
for legitimate uses during a campaign
and party organizations have secured
from their managers an account OF
the manner in which the money in
trusted to them was spent.
Publish Contributions.
"The value Of this legislation Is
principally found in the means pro
yided for the scrutiny of the state
ments filed and the provision permit
ting private individuals to institute
legal inquiry for this purpose is
very important advance toward the
desired end. This right of investiga-
ton should be conserved and made as
effective as possible.
"These word emb0dy the spirit and
purpose Of our association. The sue
ce sfuI operation Of the publicity law
at the recent election in New York
has given renewed interest IN the
movement 10 OUttln h"Ni'h"' 49,
licity law. In Two years there VIII be
another election in New York for gov
error and for other state Officers, t1
be held at the same time as the
presidential aud congressional elee
tons.
The new law cOmpels publicity o
contributions and expenditures or
part of state and local political com
mittec.. The absence Of federal law
should none be enacted prior to tha
tine. compelling publicity of contri
buttons and expenditures on the par
of national and congressional commit
tees would impair l1e efficiency o
our existing sta'e law and of simila
laws in those states which have en-
acted publicity laws. Federal an
srlte publicity Jaws should tupple
Incnt each other.
The members Of our organlzauo
arc continuing their efforts 10 Obtai
legislation at The present session q
congress. aud your recommendation
has given them much encourage
mCnL