Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-07-15

MIR. Kern and are in hearty
sympathy with the pledge and are
gratihed at Its adoption. With it's
fulhllment new era IN American
politics will begin. Elections Will
then be regulated as public affairs
and the influences which control
them instead OF being secret will be
known to the voters
Make Contributions Public.
"As an earnest token that our
party will make good its pledges we
ask YOU to construe this plank and
put 1t into Immediate operation.
This can be done by the adoption OF
resolution announcing that I'm pur-
suance Of the policy outlined in that
pledge your committee will not ac-
cept any contributions whatever from
any corporations; that il will not ac-
cept any contribution from any in
dividual above reasonable amount
and that 1t will make publication be-
fore election of all contributions
above a reasonable minimum. We
suggest for your approval maxi
mum of $4,000 and minimum OF
500. no contribution to be received
above $4,000 and oil contributions
above 500 to be made public be-
/ fore the election.
1--WE suggest also that on or ho.
| fore fhn RftnAnth Ia
publication shall be made OF all con-
tributions received up to that date;
that after the fifteenth of October
publication shall be made of such
contributions on. the day that the
same are received, and that no CON
tributions above 500 shall he ac-
cepted within three days OF the elec-
tion.
'We have felt that this is tho
! proper time TO make this announce
ment. At the Republican national
convention a piank In favor of pub
licity was turned down by very
large vote. The indignation that has
been expressed over the action of
the convention has already been felt
by the Republican leaders, and ehey
are now attempting to avoid all the
censure that has been falling upon
them, by announcing that through
their treasurer. New York man,
they would publish the contributions,
after the. election. You will notice
that the point made in our plank ia
that the contributions shall be pub
| llshed before the election
After Election Not Enough.
1T is not sufficient to learn after
the election Is over the influences
that have purchased the election.
The public ought 10 know before
the election what influences are at
work to secure the success Of y
party, and our-platform makes that
distinction, and we ask that this
committee at this time declare Itself
+ in harmony with the plank, and that
this committee so interpret This
plank that the public can not fail
TO see the difference between our
position and their position.
We say that no contribution shall
be accepted from any corporation; q
corporation is not created for polit-
ical purposes; 1t has no right to
contribute to campaign funds. and
we want this part OF the plank dis
tinct. We want limit placed on
individual contributions, that no
contribution may be received from
any individual so large as to indicate
that individuals interest OF a person
al character in the result OF the
election. and we want all contribu-
tions above a reasonable minimum
made public In order hat the pub
lie may Judge what influences arc
at work and thus be better able to
decide on which side those inter
ested only in good government
should cast their votes; ard we havo
suggested a minimum Of 500, be
cause people can contribute that
amount without suspicion and those
contributing small amounts may be
so situated that the publication of
their contributions would embarass
! them.
1--WE have tried TO cover every
point. We want to make an honest
campaign; we want the public to
understand that II IS an honest cam
paign. and we want 10 appeal 10 tho
lhoneBt sentiment OF the country
that sentiment that 7 believe de-
mands the return OF the government
TO the hands OF the people"
Resolution Adopted.
Mr.. Bryan's suggo ton was
promptly adopted amid app.ause, as
was another one providing for tho
publication OF a complete list OF
campaign expenditure within thir-
ty DAYS after the election
The resolution providing for the
appointment Of the sub-committe"
was offered by Hall Of Nebraska
Adjournment Of tho lull commit
tee followed and all took luncheon
as the guests Of Mr.. and Mrs Bry-
an. Mr.. Bryan facetiomly remarked