The silver state news. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1907-1909, 1908-08-29

candidates to unite with us in the re
quest
On the Goth Mr.. Taft wired his
answer as follows:
"Your telegram received. On April
| 30th of last year | sent the following
letter to Senator Burrows, the chair
man of the committee on privileges
and elections of the senate: MY dear
MI. Burrows sincerely believe that
it would greatly tend to the absence
of corrupt on in politics if the expend-
lures for nomination and election OF
all candidates, and all contributions
received and expenditures made b.
political committee could be made
public, both in respect to state and
lat onal politics. For that reason
l am strongly in favor of the passage
of the bill which is now pending N
the senate and house, bringing about
this result so far as national politics
is concerned. I mark this letter per-
scnal ftcause | am anxious to avoid
assuming an attitude in the campaign
which it is quite possible shall new
err have the right to assume, but so far
as my personal influence is concerne |
/ am anxious to give it for the pass
age of the bill.
"sVery sincerely yours,
i "'WILLIAM H. TAFT
"Since writing the above, in answer
to inquiry, / have said publicly that !
hoped such a bill would pass
On May %, 1908, Representative
Crumpacker moved to suspend the
rules and pass
A bill (H. B. 20112) providing for
the publicity of contributions made
for the purpose of influencing elections
at which representatives in congress
are elected, prohibiting fraud in regis
t~rations and elections, and providing
data for the apportionment of repre-
sentatives among the states.
The bill provided, first, for the pub
lieity of contributions made for the
purpose of influencing elections at
which representatives in congress are
chosen 1t provided that the term
''political committee should include
the national committees of all political
parties and the national congressional
committees of all political parties and
all committees, associations or organ
i~zations which shall in two or more
states influence the result or attempt
which representatives in congress are
to be elected.
The bill provided, in the second
place, for the punishment of fraud in
registration and elections, including
primary elections; and, third, for data
concerning the vote cast as compared
to the population, with a view of ear
rying out the provisions of the 14th
amendment.
Regarding the publicity of campaign
contributions both parties were appar-
emily agreed, but the Democratic party
objected ~strenuously to the provision
providing for the punishment OF fraud
in registration and elections, and also
for the provision relating to the pre-
sentation of data with a view to
carrying out the provisions of the
18th amendment.
1t must be understood that this lat.
ter provision did not require a reduc-
ton of representation, but simply pro
vided for the presentation of data
bearing upon the subject, which would
enable congress, if it saw fit, to APP
portion representatives among the sew
cral states in accordance with the 14th
amendment to the constitution.
The bill passed by the house by a
vote of 161 to 126-all the affirmative
votes being Republican and all the
negative being Democratic There were
eight members present and not voting
and SO absent. The bill was thea
sent to the senate and referred to
the committee on privileges and elee-
tions. All leading Democrats, however,
openly threatened to talk the bill 10
death if it came up. 1t was not re-
ported to the senate and will go over
to the next SESSION.
Little further need be said about
the bill and it's progress. 1t was the