Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-11-07

| fSpeClal contemporaries. ~ l=..5E
r ONDON. Oct 30.-Englisil poll
tics is supposed to be elitirels.
free from bribery and corrup-
ton. and British newspapers de-
light in pointing to American elections
as examples Of civic dishonesty Recent
political events in England, however,
and particularly the Haggcrston bye;
election, which was won by a care
full '.nursilig' of the voters by veal
thy Embellishments the fact
that The old country has little to boast
az in matters OF this unenviable des-
criptinn. Iii fact, England might even
Ike able TO give II few pointers to sucil
American politicians as believe that
the barrel full of Doodle" counts most
In winning votes from free and indep-
endent citizens.
AS there is considerable talk in Eng
land just now of another general ciec-
ton coming off before long, american
* 1ca ders might be Interested in beins
taken "behind The scenes at an Eng
slish parliament contest. Recently
the writer had the opportunity of con-
5ferrinS with several English election
agents intimately acquainted with ali
the ways that are dark and tricks that
are vain" for winning votes; and there
is ample eyidence-WiliGh will be sub.
+ mitted in the course of this article
that money talks" in England quite as
loudly as it does anywhere else in the
world.
CORRUPT PRACT1SEs ACT
or course in England there does eX
list what is know as the Corrupt Prac-
tises act; but as n famous lawyer once
said however, there Is no law through
which one cannot drive a coach and
pair;sand 50 it is with this enactment
FOR preventing traffic in English suf-
frage. According to the Corrupt Prac-#
tises act, election expenses must not
exceed a certain sum Of money in pro-
portion to the number OF voters in q
given constituency. For instance, if.
there are 5000 voters, the candidate
must not spend more than the statu-
tory sum of $3.50; while in a place
where there are 5000 voters the sum
allowed by law is S7,1s0 Moreover,
the expenditure must be for definite
purposes, strictly specified amounts be-
ing allowed for such items as salaries
of agents, sub-agents, clerks, messeng-
ers printing, advertisements. station
cry, postage and kilograms. Every
candidate in England. by the way. is
supposed to pay his own election en-
penses; so running for parliament in
big constituency with 10000 or 40
900 voters costs the aspirant for poll
teal honor tidy sum Of money.
MUST SHOW. VOUCHERS.
So rigd-at least. supposedlS,--is the
law on. the point OF election expenses
that candidates must submit vouchers
for their outlay and these accounts are
scrutinized carefully both by govern
ment officials and by the political OPP
ponents of the office seeker II "a flaw
is found the candidate must be. un-&
seated. and even prosecuted.
But--and the hut. in this case liz a
good deal stronger than most ifs and
butts usually are--the candidate has a
hundred and one. or perhaps a hundred
and Two, ways of keeping quite within
the statutory limit. and yet spending
unlimited thousands on vote cuddlins.
"GRoUND-BAITING 80
Foremost of these methods is what is
known in England asa.'ground- batting,
1t works admira bly, in congested area
where poverty abounds The would-b. 4
candidate practically buys the constitu-
encys by becoming. as it We're, a sort of
special providence" to all the poor
whose votes he desires to influence Va
rtous organiza tions--not directly CON
nected, of course. with the candidate
are formed under such titles as the
Coal Consumers league, the Licensed
Vfotualers' Defense league, the Book
makers Legal Aid association. the
Charity Mission society ard similar
concerns Through these there begins