Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-04-11
Question Of Making Them Public
Gets Before House Committee
on Elections.
ARE STATE OFFICES, SAYS COURT
Representative ,.cockran Contends,
However, That the Federal and
State Governments Can Legally act
Jointly in the Matter-severai An
endmcnts to Publicity Bill Accepted.
NY Associated Prensl

ny Associated PrcNs)
WASHINGTON, d. c.. April 10 -
The question as TO whether Il require
mcnt for publicity OF campaign con-
tllbutions could be made to apply &c
candidates for presidential electors
was brought prominently forward to-
day i'll the hearings before the House
committee on elections of Prcsidcn,
and Vice President and members OF
Congress, which is considering tho
McCa'l bill calling for publicity of the
contributions to campaign funds ior
candidates TO Congress.
Representative Cochran. of N.w
York, cOntendcd that an amendment
providing for contributions To the
campaign funds Of candidates for
presidential electors would be con.
stitutional but this position was at
tackled by Representative Hardwick,
Of Georgia, who claimed that the STU
prcme Court of the United States had
held that the election of presidential
electors was matter within the jur-
indiction of n state.
Mr.. Cochran admitted that the court
had ruled on this point, but main
taIncd that the effect of It's decision
was that the state had authority L.
act jointly with the United States gov
crnmcnt to supervise such elections.
THE pleading OF the constitution,
said Mr.. Cochran. lis often made an
excuse for not passing desired legis-
lation."
Cockrans Objection Agreed To.
He objected to tho provision OF the
Mccall bill which provides that PEE
sons, companies, associations or Or
CARNATIONS which shall in Two or more
states influence the result, or attempt
to influence the result of any election
In which members of Congress are
60 be clcctd. shall file n statement Of
the same under oath with the clerk
of the House OF Representatives" lie
said that under this plan the desired
result of publicity could not be oD-
tanned. To meet this objection Chair
man Gaines asked MIR. Perry Belmont
president of the Publicity League.
which Is favoring the Mccall bill. If
he would he willing to have the bill
so amended as TO strike out the words
Sin two or more states" and make
it cover any election.
Mr.. Cochran and Mr.. Belmont both
favored this amendment.
Former Senator Chandler. of Ne
Hampshire, who also is supporting
the Mccall bill. gave notice that he
did not approve the proposition that
the bill should be so amended ms 10
include state committees and in this
: cSsmont agreed with him. saying
\, Eor'sA object of the movement was
WA publicity of contributions 10
II C, committee.
4 =, ,rectcd Mr.. Belmont.
a - lont drew IL smile between
INA commits burglary and
LIN ltmmits an offcnse against
M Rh laws.
& Up interrupt you right
~ Chairman Gaines. Il
rcv leard The comparison ma le
scro,R 81 say that whenever any
from b,al robbery the whole pub
couduI, = see him prosccuted;
.ccu,A Eyone commits an oncnsc
n uipr objection laws. unfortunate
3 J.nisF public does not wish 10
{ u.ui @5nvictcd."
~ OF jHltative Peters. of Nassa-
I'D glrged the passage of bin
tN q the Mccall measure. lie
va Estate OF Massachusetts has "A
IA rf, law. but her people also
A az Edcral legislation. The debate