Arizona republican., 1908-11-27
PUBLICITY !. LAWS WANTED There Must Be no Secrecy
 AbOutCampaignF Funds IS A NATIONAL MOVEMENT Organization Representing
 That Sentiment Adopts an
 Address Indicating Satis-
 faction With Trend of Events.
IS 4 NATIONAL MOVEMENT

committee of the National Publicity
 Law Organization met today and adopted the following address con- corning the publication of the cam paign contributions and expenditures
 by the treasurers of the two ma tional political parties:
 The movement inaugurated by the National Publicity Law Organization at the close of the presidential cleo 'tion of 1904, while not yet successful in securing legislation by congress has been instrumental in establishing the initial test of publicity of cam paign contributions and expenditures in national elections. The demo- cratic national committee has fol- lowed the provisions of the proposed legislation in congress for publica- tion before and after election. The republican national committee has voluntarily placed itself under the New York statute, which provides that:
 If any person or committee |. fails to file statement or ac- count as above required or files
 
 to the foregoing requirements
 the supreme court or any justice thereof, may compel by order in pro- ceedings for contempt, such person or committee to file a sufficient state ment or account. Application for an order. as prescribed herein may be made by the attorney general, dis trict attorney, candidate voted for at the election in respect to which the allegations in such petition may relate, or by any five qualified vot- CTS who voted at such meeting
 Al election laws and regulations are subject to evasions or violations, intentional or unintentional, but sel- dom has a first experiment under new statute or regulation resulted in such public benefit or been so indie ative of ultimate success. A check has been put upon the large secret contributions of corporations and in- dividuals with the understanding that political debts are thus incurred by party organizations. Stockholders and policyholders no longer help lessly witness the expenditure of cor pOrate funds for political purposes. Corporations and candidates are pro- tected against eXactiOns that were constantly increasing. The enormous and unnecessary campaign eXpendi- lures in recent years, affOrding op- portunity and encouragement to cor ruption, have been materially dimin- ished. It is now the accepted opinion that a contributor to a political com mittee has no right to secrecy. The false conception that in respect to political contributions the individual has the right to use his money as he sees fit no longer exists in disre- gard of long established restrictions upon the use of money in elections. It is now admitted that campaign fund publicity is not an unnecessary interference with alleged individual rights, and that publicity is essen tial in determining the propriety of motives prompting political contribu- tions. The difference in principle is now fully recognized, distinguishing to charitable and other having limited relations to the public welfare from those made to political organizations entrusted with important public functions, and the powers of political campaign com mittees thus come within the pur- view of governmental supervision. The publicity of campaign contribu tions and expenditures, the purpose and effect of which is to influence the eleetor in the exercise of a pub lie function is therefore regarded as an effective remedy and an indisput able public right. Campaign money is now acknowledged to be public money.
 Secrecy of the ballot is based upon the necessity of protecting the voter from the coercion or inducement of i'm proper influences. Campaign fund publicity is required as equally essen -ial and strikes directly at the eXis- ence of such influepces. This is the principle for which the Publicity Law Organization md it's New York state branch have in promoting the enactment If a state law and in compelling the attention of congress to the necessity ,f federal legislation. At no stage of his movement has there been any open opposition in Washington. Even the powers of the house of rep not desiring legislation before the presidential campaign. brought about the passage of a bill all the provisions advocated ,y our organization for publication be- ore and after election, but by arbi- rarily attaching a force bill' to that measure during the closing days of the ast session of congress, rendered it rnnOccibIa of apactmant at that time III the presidential candidates in the asst election republican and democrat c governors just elected, some of whom have been included in the mem ,ership of our organization since it's 1 ormation. Governor Hughes of New 1 fork. Governor Johnson of Minnesota, | Governor Harmon. of Ohio, and | Marshall of Indiana, 1