Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-13

publican leaders, even in the face Of an
indignant public, refused to consent to a
law which would compel honesty in cleo
tions. When the matter was brought up
in the recent republican national conven-
ton, the plank was repudiated by a vote
driven sG to to a. apologize o Q for for his Ms' convention owe V sed
to declare himself in favor OF a publicity
law; and yet. II you will read what he
says upon this subject, you will find that
his promise falls far short of the require
ments of the situation. He says:
IF l am elected president, I shall urge
that a law he passed recurring the filing
in a federal office, Of a statement Of the
contributions received by committees and
candidates in elections for members OF con-
gress, and in such other elections as are
constitutionally within the control Of con-
gross"
upon what he bases his hope OF. success;
II Is certainly not on any encouragement
he has received from republican leaders.
were realized-if, In spite Of the adverse
action of his convention, he should sue
coed in securing the enactment of the very
nav noTt,s Th rcIe ne a fsy Sss read IL w tSa se g1Ts Sqt
platform; not only his language, but his
evident alarm, indicates that he has read
action OF the democratic national commit
tee in Interpreting and applying that plat
form; and yet, he. fails to say that he
favors the publication Of the contributions
a natural curiosity to find out how an
election has been purchased, even when the
but why should the people be kept in dark
ness until the election Is past2 Why
should the locking of the door be delayed
until the horse Is gone?
Election a Public Affair.
An election is a 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
nlaaAg an election daNr nnA WanggFn NAngr
will. What excuse can be given for secrecy
as to the influences at work. II q man,
pecuniarily Interested in concentrating
the control of the railroads I'm one manage
ment," subscribes a 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 a trust magnate contributes $4,000 to
elect political friends to office, with a
view 70 Preventipg hostile LEGISLATION, why
should that fact be concealed until HIS
friends are securely seated in their official
positions? Hs'
This is not a new question; II is a ques-
ton which has been agitated-a question
which the republican leaders fully under
stand-a question which the republican can
I declare himself in favor of the legislation
absolutely necessary, namely, legislation
requiring publication before the election.
How can the people hope to rule, If they
are not able to learn until after the cleo
ton what the predatory interests are do
ingT The democratic party meets the issue
NolNeAiS anu COuIhBeOu6iY III says.
w pledge the democratic party to the
enactment of a law prohibiting any cor.
poration from contributing 10 a campaign
fund, and any individual from Contributing
an amount above a reasonable maximum
ana providing for the publication, before
election; OF all such contributions above a
reasonable minimum"
The democratic national committed I'm.
mediately proceeded 70 interpret and apply
this plank. announces that no con.
tributions would be received from cor
porations, that no Individual would be al
owe to contribute more than 10000, ant
mat all contributions above 500 would b,
MADE public before the election--those re
ceived before October Is to be made publ,
on or before that day, those received after
ward TO be made public on the day wher
received, ana no such contributions 10 bI
accepted within three days of the cleo
uoh. The expenditures are to be pub
lished after the election, Here is a plal
winch Is complete and effective.
Popular ElectiOn of Senators.
Next Il the corrupt use of money, tn
present method OF electing United state
senators Is most responsible for the oh
strucIon or reforms. For 100 years afte
the adoption Of the constitution, the dsman
Tor the popular election OF senator's, Will
Ilhdlns increased expression. did not be
come a dominant sentiment. A constitu
tional amendment had from time 10 tim
been suggested ana the matter had bes
more or less discussed IN a few Of tn
states, out the movement had not reache
a point where II manifested itself throug
congressional action, In the Fifty-secon
congress however, a resolution was r,
ported from a house committee propOsin
the necessary constitutional amendment
and this resolution passed the house
l representatives BY a vote which was pra,
Ideally unanimous. In the Flfty-third cor
sress a similar resolution was reported 1
. an adopted by, the house OF representative
: both the Fttty-second and F1fty-third col
stresses were Democratic. The republican
I gained control OF the house as a result
e the election OF 1884 and in the Fifty-fourt
congress the proposition died in ommitte
AS time went ON, however, the seatimei
> grew among the people, until 81 forced
republican congress to follow the examp
: set by the democrats, and then another ar
" ABLY, State after state has endorsed IN
: reform, until nearly two-thirds OF the stat
I have recorded themselves In It's favor. III
! United states, senate, however, impudent
Q and arrogantly obstructs the passage
the resolution, notwtthstandinE the fael IN
; the voters OF the United States. By 1
overwhelming majority. demand II. Al
: this refusal Is the more significant when
: Is remembered that a number OF senate
owe their election TO great corporate 4
> t~erests. Three democratic national pla
. torms-the platforms OF 1900. 1891 and 1895
: specifically can for a change In the consI
tuition which will put the election OF sen
tors in the hands OF the voters, and d
! proposition has been endorsed by a numb
I OF the smaller parties, but no republics
\ national convention has been willing
= champion the cause OF the people on n
u subject. The subject was Ignored by 4
: republican national convention in 1900:
: was isnored In 1904, and this proposition W
, explicitly repudiated In 1906, for the rece
republican national convention, by a vo
y OF sos TO ia rejected the plank ENDORSE
& The popular election pf senators-and n
was done in the convention which non
mated MT. Taft few delegates from his oy
state voting for the plank.
N In his notification speech, the republics