New-York tribune., 1907-03-23
copprrr pR4CTJCEg AMENDMENTS.

CORRUPT PRACTICES AMENDMENTS.
In its list of good works for this session the
LEGISLATURE should include the amendment in
certain particulars of the Corrupt Practices act
of 1906 That act was, on the whole, an excel
lent one, marking a decided advance IN the
warfare against extravaGant and corrupt eX-
penditure in politics. 1t sought to enforce pub
licity in campaign accounts and to hold TO rigid
responsibility the collectors and disbursers OF
funds for political purposes. The American
people are beginning TO see the necessity OF
curblng the use of money In elections. The
foundations Of democratic government are I'M
dermined when large bodies of voters are or
ganized like a standing army and remunerated
for their services out OF the war chest of can
didate or a political party. The more penetrat-
ing the light thrown on the sources of cam
paign funds and the method of their distribu-
ton the more difficult it becomes to operate the
machinery Of exchanges and retainers in poll
tics.
Last years bill failed In one or two important
respects. 1t compelled an accounting for all
political contributions on the part OF the rec
ognized agents OF political organizations and
on the part Of all persons not candidates max
ing expenditures independently Of such agents
and organization. 1t neglected TO require
detailed statement subject 10 review IN court,
from candidates capitallzlng their own cam
paIgns and acting as their own disbursing
agents. The bill drawn by the Association to
Prevent Corrupt Practices at Elections and in
rOduced In the Assembly by Mr.. Wainwright
corrects this oversight 1t requires a candi-
date TO make the same detailed accounting as
is required OF party treasurer or other agent
There can be no objection to such extension
OF the law to cover what was probably only
accidental omission.
The Wainwright bill goes further, however,
in remedying a defect which we pointed out
when last years measure was under discus
sion and which has neutralzed to some extent
its usefulness as a check on undesirable ex-
penditure. This was the $500 exemption. No
agent committee or individual expending 5000
or less is now obliged to make sworn account
ing. and this loophole In the law permits the
easy distribution Of those small sums which
go TO maintain q considerable force of merce-
naries In politics. 1t is just as desirable to know
where amounts under $500 go as 1t is to know
how the larger contributions are disposed Of
Under the present law, too, disbursements of
$40 or less need not be accounted for The
Wainwright bin wisely cuts the limit Of neg
Eligibility from $40 to So. This change will i'm
pose more labors Of bookkeeping on political
cashiers and treasurers, but it will throw
needed light into a field left dark by the au-
thors Of last years legislation
Finally, the proposed law extends the account
ing principle to all expenditures incurred In Sc
curing party nominations. Nomination and
election are two phases Of the same process.
and it is illogical to tie a candidates hands
only when the second stage is reached. leav-
ing him free to use his money as he pIeases in
winning place on the official ballot To free
our elections from the taint of bargain and
sale Is the first step toward purer and more ra-
uonal government Legislation to regulate Do
litical brokerage cannot we'll be made too
searching or too drastic