Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-04-01
CAMPAIGN FUNDS
Movement on Foot 10 Give Pub liciiy 10 All Contributions
 From Candidates.

Washington, D. C., AprH l.- Campaign contributions are to pc made an issue of the approaching presidential election. Heretofore contributions have been solicited generally by both great political par ties. from all sorts of sourccs-from individuals, from corporations and ' from interested interests.
 Now a campaign has been begun for publicity of campaign Contribu- tions. It is being supported espe- cially by democrats. That does net mean that it has no support rom republicans, because it has, but the republican party as a political en- tity, has not committed itself to the proposition.
 It is a fact that many of the re- publican leaders in both branches or congress are opposed to the legisla- tion and, at the present time, there is little chance of the enactment of the legislation into law.
 The practical politicians of both of the great political parties are in- clined to shy at the proposed legis- lation, not because tho contribu- tions received are used for ulterior purposes, but because they believe that if such law should be enact ed it would scare off a good many contributions that otherwise might be received if used for perfectly proper purposes.
 In support of the enactment of a Dational law respecting campaign contributions, it is pointed out that nineteen states and territories have passed laws providing for publicity of campaign contributions. These states and territories: Alabama, Ari- zona, California, Colorado, Connecti- cut, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebrasna, New { York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Texas.
 Some states have passed laws which forbid corporations to con i tribute to political campaign funds, but do not require publicity of all campaign contributions. Such states hrc Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee. lit is believed by the legislatures of those states that the desired end would be achieved by absolutely pro- hibiting corporations from contrib uting to the support of political cam- 'paigns.
 In several states laws requiring publicity of campaign contributions once passed were subsequently, re- pealed. These states ar Kansas. Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio and Utah. The law, in those states, were found to work badly, in the opinion of the legislators, and they, therefore. were annulled.
 In other states publicity laws have been recommended by the governors and the matter still is pending before the legislatures. Among those states are Florida, Idaho, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon and West Vir- ginia. In the state of Ohio strong sentiment exists for publicity of campaign contributions. The law enacted several years ago providing for such publicity was offered by Secretary Garfield. when he was a member of the Ohio senate. It was passed, but did not operate to the satisfaction of the people. The likelihood is. however. that a similar law will be enacted by the Ohio legis- Nature at no distant time.
 The demand for publicity of cam aign contributions is growing
 roughout the country and ul-
 nately will be recognized by the
 makers of the nation as we'll as
 he various states.