The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1908-08-19

evident alarm, indicates that he has
read It carefully. He even had before
! him the action of the Democratic ma
/ tiona committee In interpreting and
applying that platform; and yet, he
fails to say that he favors the publlca-
! ton Of the contributions before the
election. OF course, 1t satisfies a nat
ural curiosity to find out how an cleo
tlon 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
An 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 places on election day
and register their will. What excuse
can be given for secrecy as TO the in
fuences at work? If n man, pecun-
iarily interested i'm concentrating the
control of the railroads in one manage
ment," subscribes a large sum TO aid in
carrying the election, why should his
part in the campaign be concealed un-
til he has put the officials under Obli-
CATION to him? If a trust magnate
contributes 100000 to elect political
friends to office, with a view to pre-
venting hostile legislation. why should
that fact be concealed until his friends
are securely seated in their official po-
sitions?
This is not n new question; it is a
question which has been agtated-a
question which the Republican leaders
fully underestimate question which the
Republican candidate has studied, and
yet he refuses to declare himself in ia
vor of the legislation absolutely neces-
sary, namely. legislation requiring pub
LEGATION before the election.
Democratic Party Promises Publicity.
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 coura-
geously. 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 n reason
able minimum"
The Democratic national committee
Immediately proceeded to interpret and
apply this plank. announcing that no
contributions would be received from
corporations, that no individual would
be allowed to contribute more than
$4,000. and that all contributions
above 500 would be made public be-
fore the election-those received before
October 10 to be made public on or
before that day, those received after
ward to be made public on the day
when received. and no such contribu-
tions to be accepted within three days
Of the election. The expenditures are
to be published after election. Here
is a plan which is complete and effec-
tive.
Popular Election OF Senators.
Next to the corrupt use of money,
the present method of electing United
States senators is most RESPONSIBLE for
the obstruction of reforms. For one
hundred years after the adoption of
the constitution, the demand for the
nonnlnr election Of senators. while find
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