The morning journal-courier., 1908-08-13

curing the fling, In a federal office, of
statement Of the contributions re-
celved by committees and candidates
In elections for members Of congress-
and In such other elections as are CON
stltutionally within the control of con
gress"
shall not embarrass him by asking
him upon what he bases his hope OF
success; II is certainly not on any en-
enlargement he has received from re-
publican leaders. II Is sufficient to say
that II his hopes were realised-lf IN
spite of the adverse action Of his con-
ventlon, he should succeed In securing
the enactment of the very law which
he favors It would give but partial re-
lief. He has read the democratic plat
form not only his language but his
evident alarm, indicates that he has
read 1t carefully He even had before
him the action Of the democratic ma
tional committee In interpreting ana
applying that platform, and yet, he
fails to say that he favors the publ
cation of the contributions before the
election. or course, 1t satisfies a natural
curiosity to find out how an election
has been purchased, even when the
knowledge comes too late to be of SER
vice, but why should the people be
kept in darkness until the election Is
past? Why should the locking of the
door be delayed until the horse Is
gone?
An Election n Public AFFAIR.
An election Is q public affair. The
people, exercising the right 20 select
their officials and to decide upon the
policies to be pursued, proceed to
their several polling places on election
day and register their Will. What
excuse can be given for secrecy as to
the influences at work? If A man,
pecuniarily interested in 'concentrat-
ing the control of the railroads in one
management, subscribes large sum
to aid in carrying the election, why
should his part in the campaign be
concealed until he has put the officials
under obligation TO him? II trust
magnate contributes 100000 20 elect
political friends to office. with view
to preventing hostile legislation, why
should that fact be concealed unth
his friends are securely seated In
their official positions?
This Is not new question; 1t Is
a question which has been agitated
Ia question which the republican
leaders fully understands question
which the republican candidate has
studied, and yet he refuses to declare
himself in favor of the legislation alb
solutely necessary, namely. legislation
requiring publication before the cleo
ton.
Democratic Party Promises Publicity.
How can the people hope 30 rule.
IL they are not able to learn until
interests are doing? The democratic
party meets the issue honestly and
courageously. 1t says:
I'VE pledge the democratic party
TO the enactment OF a law prohibit
ing any corporation from contribut-
dividual from contributing an amount
above reasonable maximum, and
providing for tho publication, before
election. Of all such contributions
above a reasonable minimum.
The democratic national committee
Immediately proceeded to interpret
and apply this plank, announcing that
no contributions would be received
| from corporations, that no individual
/ would be allowed to contribute more
than $4,000, and that all contribu-
| tions above 500 would be made pub
ceived before October Is to be made
public on or before that day. those
received afterward to be made public
on the day when received, and nc
such contributions to be accepted
within three days of the election. The
expenditures are to be published af-
1 ter the election. Here Is plan
which is complete and effective.
Popular Election of Senator's.
Next to the corrupt use Of money
the present method of electing United
states senator's Is most responsible fo
the obstruction Of reforms For one
hundred years after the adoption O.
the constitution, the demand for the
popular election of senators, while find
ing increased expression, did not be
come a dominant sentiment A con