Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-07-15


Of such contributions on the day that
the same are received and that no con-
tributions above 500 shall be accepted
within three days of the election"
The following resolution was thereup-
on adopted:
Resolved that the Democratic national
committee in pursuance of the pledge
given in tine national platform recently
adopted at Denver. announces that it
will accept no contributions whatever
from corporations: that ii will accept
no Individual contributions above $4,000
and that it will make public before cleo
ton all individual contributions over 800.
contributions received before Oct. Is be.
ing published on or before that date and
upon which they are received and that
no contributions above 500 shall be &C.
cepted and that no contributions above
of the election"
Another resolution requests Democrats
all over the country to organize them
selves Immediately into Democratic clubc
to assist in the coming campaign.
Mr.. Bryan then commented as fol-
lows:
I'VE have felt that this is the proper
time to make this announcement. At
the Republican national platform a
plank in favor of publicity was turned
down by very large vote. The indig-
nation that has been expressed over
the action has already been felt by
the Republicans and they are now at
tempting OF avoid all the cenSure that
has been falling upon them by an
nouncing that. through their treas
urer, New York man, they would
publish the contributions after the
election. You will notice that the point
made in cur plank is that the contri-
buttons shah DE published before the
election. 1t is no, sufficient to learn
after the election of the influences
that have purchased the election. The
public ought to know before the cleo
ton what influences are at work to
secure the success Of a party and our
platform makes that distinction, and
we ask that this committee at this
time declare itself in harmony with
the planl, and that this committee SO
interpret this plank that the public
cannot fail to see the difference be-
tween our position and their position.
We say that no contribution shall be
accepted from any corporation; cor
poration is not created for political
purposes; it has no right to contribute
to campaign funds and we want this
part of the plank distinct. We want
limit placed on individual contribu-
tioris, that no contribution may be re-
ceived from any individual so large
as to indicate that individuals inter-
est of q personal character in the re-
suit of the election and we want all
contributions above a reasonable min
imum made public in order that the
country may judge and thus be better
able to decide on which side those in
terested only in good government
should cast their votes; and we have
suggested q minimum Of 500, because
people can contribute that amount
without suspicion, and those con-
tributing small amounts may be so
situated that the publication of their
contributions would embarrass them.
For instance, an employee of a
corporation might earnestly desire to
assist in this campaign and If his con-
trihu:ion was published, might sub
nit him to punishment at the hands OF
the corporation, and that the argu-
mcnts that have justified the secret
ballot justify secrecy in regard to con-
tributions so small that they cannot
| be supposed to represent an interest
that is attempting to purchase favors
| We have simply suggested $4,000 as a
maximum and 500 as minimum;
we have suggested the 18th of October
as the date upon which all contribu-
tons to that time might be published,
| and that we cannot be accused OF de-
string to conceal anything we suggest
| that where the contributions are made
| after the 18th Of October that they be
| made known on the date that they are
made. and that they may not accuse
us of attempting to receive contrlbu-
| tions on the last day too late for pub
| lication we suggest that no contrlbu-
! tions above 800 shall be received
| within three days before election. We
have tried to cover every point. We
| want to make an honest campaign; we
want the public to understand that it
| Is an honest campaign and that we
want to appeal to the honest sentiment
| of the county-that sentiment that
believe demands the return of the
government to the hands of the peo-
pie"
Mr.. Bryan's suggestion was prompt
ly adopted amid applause as was an
other one providing for the publication
of n complete list of campaign expen-
ditures within 30 days after the cleo
! tor.
| Adjournment of the full committee
followed and all took luncheon as the
guests of Mr.. and Mrs. Bryan. Mr.
Bryan remarked facetiously that he
had seats for 46, adding. to shouts OF
laughter. that he believed the White
| House tables were larger.
After luncheon the subcommittee
met long enough to determine on the
time and place of their next meeting
and adjourned.
Nearly all took trains for Their
homes.
William f. Gonzales, editor of the
State. of Columbia. S. c.. and one OF
Mr.. Rryan's lieutenants. after a visit
with Mr.. Bryan and Mr.. Kern today
said
1.-The statement that Mr.. Bryan viii
not make a canvas is incorrect. 1t is
his purpose to deliver no platform