The morning journal-courier. (New Haven, Conn.) 1907-1913, 1908-05-28

whether Mr., Bryan gets the credit or
not, whether, indeed, both overstep
the bounds Of proprety in referring
to themselves as the leading candl-
dates OF our respective parties" Is I'M
material They would both seem just
flied in the latter conclusions at lease
in private communications Of this
kind after the practical assurances
they have received from their sup
porters that they would be nominated.
1t is a matter for rejoicing that these
two men are Of one mind on this i'm
portant subject Of publicity in cam
paign funds, Neither party can hope
to make any sweeping reforms in this
matter unless the other party COM
bines with it,
In the past the one party has UNI
doubtedly gone to many unnecessary
campaign expenses SIMPLY to offset
similar expenditures in the other po-
litical camp. It has been a question
of rival advertisers, meeting the
moves OF competitors by going them
one better until tho expense bills
have mounted up extravagantly, The
tendency has always been toward tie
worse. 1t has been estimated that at
least rs per cent. of the campaign
contributions to both parties have
been spent reckles3ly and naedlcssly.
Secret agents, street corner spoll-bind-
ers, armies Of clerks, and hosts of
others have been employed with very
little tangible results. One Of the
heaviest drains has been the thousand
and one local outings given to all who
cared to attend. With them the eX-
penses have been great but the num-
her of party conversions has been very
few. 1t has been a constant waste of
resources. and, in these days when We
are trying to conserve our resources.
the suggestions Of the leading candi-
dates is a particularly happy one.
one of the most regrettable mat
tiers incidental to the system of prom
iscuous solicitation q campaign funds
has been the growing tendency toward
corruption. a large corporation viii
give literally to this or that party in
the hopes of some immunity after
election which may not be accorded
competitors and which sometimes has
hordered on the Illegal. But he trou-
BILE has been that, all unknown to
them, the competitors have been ask
ed to contribute, too, and have done
so. AS 1t is understood, the sort Of
law favored by Mr.. Bryan and MIR.
Taft would not be one in which a list
of the contributions to the campaign
funds OF each party would be publish
ed after election, but rather one which
compelled the making public of such
contributions from time TO time rs
they are received. Then, by consult
ing the papers, loyal democrats and
loyal republicans could tell whether
their contributions were really need
ed by their respective parties before
they signed their checks; they would
not have to depend upon tho mere
"say-so' Of the solicitors that there
was or was not money enough for a
successful campaign.
There seems to he no reason why
the same general idea should not be
worked out in further detail. Mr..
Taft believes ~ would greatly tend
to the absence Of corruption in poll
tics If the expenditures for nomna-
ton and election of all candidates, all
contributions received. and eXpendi-
lures made by political committees
could be made public both in respect
to state and national politics Al
ready in many of the states laws have
been passed calling Tor such aceount-
ings With all the recent discussion
about Connecticut as to the nominal
ton and election expenses Of Mayor
Hooker Of Hartford. as published IN
the papers, there was not question
raised as to the advisablity of the
law under which they had to be made
public, Publicity Of this sort in state
matters has been successful and u
would be just as successful In national
politics. When, as now, the two lead.
ing candidates are uniting in demand.
ing 1t. there seems little ground or
which the congressional leaders Of
both parties can tolerate an adjourn
ment without appropriate action.
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