Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1908-09-25
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER IS, 1908.
GOOD GOVERNMENT.

The Burlington Free Press of Sept. 81
says editorially
Chimes have changed to a remarkable
degree. A dozen years ago a lawyer
poration in the country without endan-
gering his career in politics. Today the
former attorney of the Standard Oil COM
pany is a sacrifice on the altar of an
aroused public opinion"
In the same paper we notice the fol-
lowing reference to Gov. Hughes taken
from the New York Evening Post:
1.-THE denomination of Gov. Hughes
must be reckoned as one of the most
significant political events of the last
quarter-century. 1t is sheer triumph
of naked principle, and as such it must
nightly strengthen the forces of good
government"
The suggestions in the above of an
aroused public opinion in favor of i'm
proved politics, applies at this time to
the whole country.
And we think there is no question that
the feeling in Vermont is as strong in
this direction, as in any other State.
And Vermont will expect the incoming
Legislature to respond to this feeling,
and we believe that it will do so in the
fullest sense.
And this introduces the necessity of a
law to regulate the expenditure of money
in elections, ard especially in Vermont,
in securing nominations, as practically
with us Republican nomination means
an election.
The general principle of all these laws
is that each candidate shall make de-
tailed statement under oath of the
amount of money spent during the can
vass, to whom paid, and for what pur-
poses.
England found it necessary to pass
such laws and made very stringent ones.
Massachusetts, Michigan and several
other states have enacted such laws.
Vermont has now the following law in
tending to control this evil but unques-
tionably the usual form which makes
the candidate himself responsible under
oath should also be enacted.
For we do not believe that any can
didate in Vermont would take a false
oath in the matter, although following o
bad custom, which has crept into our
politics, he might be tempted to use
money or other considerations in a can.
vass, both improperly and illegally.
PUBLIC STATUTES OF VERMONT.
Chapter 8, Section 104.-Payment o.
money TO secure nomination. No per-
son shall, directly or indirectly, give
pay, expend or contribute, or promise tc
give, pay, expend or contribute money
or other valuable thing, in order tC
promote his own nomination, or the
nomination of another person, as a can.
didate for public office, by caucus, con
vention or nomination papers, except
for personal expenses as provided in the
following section.
Sec. 105. Exception. A person may
incur and pay, in order to promote
his own nomination, or the nomination
of another person, as candidate for q
public office, his own personal expenses
for travelling, for writing. printing and
preparing for transmission any letter
circular or other publication not issued
at regular intervals, whereby he may
state his position or views, or the posi-
ton or views of another person, upon
public or other questions, for stationery
and postage, for telegraph, telephone
and other regular messenger service, anG
for other petty personal expenses; but
all such expenses shall be limited tc
those which are directly incurred and
paid by him.
Sec. 1O6. Publishers TO receive M
compensation for supporting candidacy
No publisher of newspaper, or othel
publications issued at regular intervals
In this state, shall, directly or indirectly
receive or accept money or other valu
able thing in payment or compensation
for the support or advocacy in such
newspaper or publication of the nomina
ton of any person as a candidate for &
public Office in this state.
Sec. 107. Penalty. A person who
violates provision of the three proceed
ing sections shall be fined not less thar
one hundred dollars.