Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-10-01
TAFT IN NEBRASKA
Where He Begins Taking Away What
Votes Bryan Counted On.

Lincoln, Neb, Sept. 3O.-Acccpting
the challenge of William j. Bryan,
William Fl. Taft in the home city Of
the Nebraskan, tonight not only in
dcrscd President Rooscyclts position
on the policy of campaign contribu-
| tions but defended that position as
sound and argued that Mr.. Bryan's
| position was one simply for pre-elec
ton effect
| Mr. Taft made II speeches in Ne
| braska today before reaching Lincoln
| and FIVE speeches in Lincoln tonight
| His audiences throughout were large
and enthusiastic and his reception in
Lincoln was made particularly crafty
ing TO him by the enthusiasm and
friendliness exhibited by the immense
crowds which greeted him at all
points. Extra trains came to Lincoln
from many places in the state during
the day and the city was alive with
bands marching clubs and general
campaign exhilaration and excitement.
Mr. Bryan, whose plan was TO reach
the city this forenoon, had changed his
schedule so as to bring him at l O'Clock
tomorrow morning. This change pre-
cluded a meeting between the candi-
dates The one disappointing feature
Of the Taft demonstration in Lincoln
was the bad condition of the voice of
the candidate. He had talked contin-
ually throughout the day. in the open
air and this, added to the strain he
has been under for the last eight days,
made him decidedly hOarse.
The main melting tonight was held at
the auditorium which was crowded
,,,ifh h,1c Of in
was here that the candidate paid his
respects to Mr. Bryan regarding cam
paign contributions and what he said
was heartily approved.
After a dinner at the home Of Gov
crnor Sheldon, Mr.. Taft headed par
AIDE which escorted him again 10 the
auditorium. where the main speech of
the day was delivered.
What Mr. Taft said on publicity fol-
lows:
Mr. Bryan challenges me to take the
same position that President Roosevelt
takes with reference to the time when
publicity should be made of campaign
contributions, and l accept the chal-
lenge. l take exactly the same position
that the President does 7 have ALWAYS
been in favor Of a law which will re-
quire publicity Of both contributions
end expenses Immediately after cleo
ton. Mr. Bryan seems to favor the pub
LEGATION of contributions before the cleo
ton, but postpones the publication of
expenditures until after that time ]
confess I see no reason why. if con
tributons are to be published before
elections, expenditures should not also
be published. / think that the character
Of expenditures is quite as important
as the character and source of thu con-
tributions.
II do not know Of any election law,
either in this country or abroad which
requires the publication of contribu-
tons or expenditures before the cleo
ton The law of Nebraska on this sub
Ject only requires the publication OF
contributions and expenditures after
the election. This was the law which
the Democratic managers in 1904 in Ne
braska SC tlagrantly violated by failing
to return the receipt Of $4,000 from
Thomas E. Ryan. The most drastic law
in this country on the subject is that
Of New York which also makes the
time of publication after election.
1.-The proper object of a publicity law
is to prevent the use of money for
bribery and other improper purposes
in elections and to enable the law Off
GERS of the government and the public
to determine whether the contributions
made were properly expended for legiti-
mate purposes. The requirement that
the names and amounts of the persons
contributing also should be shown Is
for the purpose of enabling the public
and the prosecuting officers of the gov
eminent to judge whether subsequent
official action has been improperly af-
fected in favor of the contributions by
the successful candidate. This can all
be accomplished by publication after
the election.