The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-08-12

ments of the situation. He says:
"If I am elected president, l shall
urge upon congress, with every hope
of success, that law be passed re-
quiring the filing. in federal office.
Of a statement Of the contributions re-
ceived by committees and candidates
in elections for members Of congress.
and in such other elections as are con-
additionally within the control of
congress"
l shall not embarrass him by asking
him upon what he bases his hope of
success; it is certainly not on any
encouragement he has received from
republican leaders. 1t is sufficient to
say that If his hopes were realized
If, in spite OF the adverse action of his
convention, he should succeed in Sc
curing the enactment of the very law
which he favors. 1t wouldSgive but par.
tial relief He has read the democra.
tic platform; not only his language,
but his evident alarm, indicates that
he has read 1t carefully. He even had
before him the action of the democra-
tic national committee in Interpreting
and applying that platform; and yet,
he fails to say that he favors the pub
lication of the contributions before
the election. OF course. it satisfies
natural curiosity to find out how an
election has been purchased, even
when the knowledge comes too late
to be Of service. 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?
Election a Public Affair.
An election is public affair The
people, exercising the right to select
their officials and to decide upon the
policies to be pursued, proceed to
their several polling places on cleo
ton day and register their will. What
excuse can be given for secrecy as
to the influences at work? II a man,
pecuniarily interested in "concentrat-
Ing the control Of the railroads in one
management" subscribes a large sum
to aid in carrying the election, why
should his part in the campaign be
concealed until he has put the Off
| cials under obligation to him? II a
trust magnate contributes 100000 to
elect political friends to office, with
view Of preventing hostile legisla-
ton, why should that fact be conceal
ed until his friends are securely seat
ed in their official positions?
This is not new question; it is a
question which has been agitated-a
question which the republican candi-
date has studied, and yet he refuses
to declare himself in favor of the leg
islation absolutely necessary, namely,
legislation requiring publication be-
| fore the election.
Publicity Promised.
How can the people hope to rule, If
| they are not able to learn until after
the election what the predatory inter-
ests are doing? The democratic party
meets the issue honestly and courage
ously. 1t says:
I'VE pledge the democratic party to
the enactment of law prohibiting
any corporation from contributing to
campaign fund. and any individual
from contributing an amount above a
reasonable maximum, and providing
| for the publication, before election. of
all such contributions above a reason
able minimum"
| The democratic national committee
Immediately proceeded to interpret
and apply this plank, announcing that