The morning journal-courier., 1907-12-19
NOT REMEDY.
The Presidents Suggestion for Politi-
 cal Campaigns not Feasible.

Of the many topics suggested by the President for congressional con sideration none is likely to provoke more discussion than his proposition that the federal government make ap- propriations to defray the legitimate campaign expenses of each of the great political parties, to the end that a stop may be put to the abuses that have developed through the contribu- tiohs of corporations ard special inter- ests to the advancement of the chances of any political organization. The President recognizes the novelty of the suggestion and says he is well aware that it will take some time for the people so to familiarize themselves with such a proposal as to be willing to consider it's adoption.
 The public needs no enlightenment on the conditions that have provoked the radical suggestion of the Presi- dent Disclosures made in connection with the methods of the campaign committees of both the great. political parties in securing campaign contribu- tions and the uses to which such funds have been put have aroused a general sentiment in favor of drastic laws pro hibiting corporations from contribut- ing to the political campaign funds. This sentiment has been crystalllzed into law, but, as the President points out, such laws are difficult of enforce ment and are apt to be obeyed only l l.. 1v t11e dishonest and interruptions, thus act ing as penalty upon honest men. The question is whether these abuses can not be remedied by vigorous enforce ment of laws aginst them rather than by the plan proposed by the Presi- dent
 Objections to the Presidents prop osa1, from a practical standpoint, readily suggest themselves, His rec ommendation that the campaign funds of leach of the great national par- ties" be provided by a congressional appropriation opens the way for a dispute over the parties that would answer that designation. The Repub- licans and Democrats would, of course be recognized as entitled to this fed eral support The Prohibitionists have had a national ticket in the field for years and could not well be de- barred from participation in the feder- al appropriations for election purpos- es. The Socialists have perhaps es- tabllshed their right to share in the distribution of such funds and, if such a law were enacted, it would not be Hong until labor parties liberty leagues and other political organizations would be striving to receive national recognition and share of the funds. l The multiplication of parties would cal for an immense appropriation. Then, too, the question would arise as to what constitutes the Legitimate ex7 lpenses" of campaign. The pay- ment of judges and clerks of election, the rental of polling places and the absolute essential machinery to the conduct of an election would not be questioned, but it is doubtful if it would be safe to leave to congress, on the eve of a campaign, the question of whether the speubnders, the literary
  l bureau and the many factors used i'll l influencing the voters would come un- der the definition of Legitimate ex- penses"
 Great as may be the necessity for a reform in the present system of con l ductihg national campaigns, the coun- l try will be slow to accept the Presi- dents suggestion as to the remedy to be applied. The public conscience hase been awakened to the evils of the existing system, so far as the corrupt use of corporation funds is concerned, and there is every promise that this evil will be minimized if not wholly eliminated, in future campaigns The publicity policy adopted by the pres l ent administration has already ac- I complished wonders in that respect and may be relied upon, we confident, ly believe to eventually make unne> cessary the radical departure suggest ed by the President.-Omaha Bee Rep.