The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1907-04-02
How to Stop the Use
Of Money in Carnpaigns.

In his admirable special article in
The Journals big Easter Edition. Hon.
J. Walter Kehoe presented an excel
lent plan to prevent the excessive use
of money in our political primaries
After heartily endorsing the primary
and referring briefly to its numerous
advantages over the old convention
system, Mr.. Kehoe answers the OBJ
! lection TO the use of money by pro-
posing the following remedy. viz:
That every candidate, at the time
OF his announcement for Office be re-
quired to publish in i designated news
paper Or newspapers, OF extensive,
bona fide circulation, a sworn state
ment OF the amount of money. if any,
expended by him up to the time of his
announcement, in behalf of his candi-
dacy, and periodically thereafter-say
on the LIST and 18th of each month, =
sworn statement of the amount of
all money spent by him or his order,
in behalf of his candidacy, and at the
time of making such statement OF the
amount OF his expenses. that he file
with the county judge, in each county
where such money is paid, used or eX-
uCAuSO III llSuliZtC StdLSAISllJ VI lllS
amount of money 50 used, paid or eX-
pended in such county, to whom, and
for what purpose, and that every per-
son, firm, association or corporation,
who gives, furnishes or eXpends money
in behalf of any candidate for Office
in any primary publish like sworn
statements, and file an itemized and
sworn statement, periodically. on the
list and 18th day of each month, with
the county judge, in each county
where any such money is paid, fur
nished. given or expended.
That every person, firm, association
or corporation that takes. or receives
any money or other valuable Consid-
Grafton to be kept. used or expended
for the support or aid of any candidate
in any primary, shall, five days before
any such primary, publish in some
designated newspaper or newspapers,
a sworn statement of the amount of
money or other thing of value so re-
ceived. and at the same time. file with
the county judge of the county where
said money is received or paid, an
itemized. sworn statement of the
/ amount received, and for the benefit OF
whom received Make ii a felony for
any person, candidate, firm. assOcia-
ton or corporation, to disregard these
provisions. and make all statements
filed with the county judge subject 10
inspection by the public. and make It
the duty of the judge TO furnish Ger
tilted copies of AL such statements,
promptly upon application and tender
Of the legitimate fees for such copies
and in my judgement. you will have
absolutely precluded the improper use
of mOnet to any good effect in prima-
ries.
Many of the states require state
ments to he filed after the primary
IS over, and the nomination made, but
this is like locking the barn after the
horse is stolen.
Have d strong state law. define what
ID the improper use Of money in pri-
maries. and provide penalty there
fer. then provide FOR the periodical
publication of itemized statements If
all moneys spent in primary cam
paigns. and the public can and will
know before the day of the primary.
which candidate is depending upon
merit. and which upon mOTey, for
his nomination.
Mr.. KehOe's publicity plan is prac
tically the same, except that it is
more complete and better expressed.
ae the one which The Journal itself
presented some time ago.
We think this plan will prove a sOlu-
ton to the problem OF the use OF
money in campaigns. We do not c4re
so much about prohibiting the use of
money as We do to know who uses il.
what it is used for where it comes
from and where it goes
These facts all made public and
there Will be little complaint of the
corrupt use of money thereafter
Indications point 10 the fact that
The weather man favors Clean
Sweep"