The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-08-13

evident alarm indicates that he has
read it carefully. He even had before
him the action of the Democratic ma.
tional committee in interpreting and
applying that platform: and yet he
fails to say that he favors the publica-
ton of the contributions before the
election. OF course, it satisfies nat
ural curiosity to find out how an cleo
ton has been purchased. even when
the knowledge comes too late to be OF
service. but why should the people be
kept in darkness unit. the election is
past? Why should the locking of the
door be delayed until the horse is gone
An Election a Public Affair.
An election is 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
cen be given for secrecy as to the in
fuences at work? If a man, pecun-
iariiy interested in concentrating the
control Of the railroads in one manage
ment." subscribes large sum to aid in
carrying the election. why should his
part in the campaign be concealed IN.
til he has put the officials under obi.
cation to him? IL 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 officia! DO.
sitions?
This is not new question; It is
question which has been agitated-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
iication 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 doing1 The Democratic party
meets the issue honestly and coura
geously. 1t says:
1--WE 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
reasonable maximum. and providing
| for the publication. before election, of
al! such contributions above 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 al! contributions
above 500 would be made public be-
| fore the election-those received before
October Is to be made public on o.
before that day, those received after.
ward to be made public on the day
when received. and no such contr:bu-
tons to be accepted within three days
| of the election. The expenditures are
to be published after election Here
is 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 fo-
| the obstruction of reforms For one
hundred years after the adoption OF
| the constitution. the demand for the
popular election Of senators, while find.
ing increased expression. did not be-
come a dominant sentiment \ con-
stitutional amendment had from time
to time been suggested and the matter
had been more or less discussed in a
few Of the states. but the movement
had not reached point where it mani.
tested itself through congressional. ac-
ton. In the Fifty-second congress.
however, resolution was reported
from a house committee proposing the
necessary constitutional! amendment,
and this resolution passed the house
Of representatives by a vote which
was practically unanimous. In the
Fifty-third congress similar resolu-
| 'Aoa " 90 ~ pShISN w. thHeA sANOJtSu W
the house Of representatives Both
the Fifty-second and Fifty-third con.
crosses We're Democratic. The Repub-
licans gained control Of the house
a result Of the election of 1894 and in
the Fifty fourth congress the proposi.
ton died in committee. AS time went
on. however, the sentiment grew among
the people. unit. II forced Republican
congress to follow the example set by
the Democrats. and then another and
another Republican congress acted ia.
vorab.y State after state has endorsed
this reform. unit. nearly two-thirds of
the states have recorded themselves in
It's favor The United States senate
however. impudent.y and arrogantly
obstructs the passage OF the resolution
Notwithstanding the fact that the vot
ers of the United States by an Over
| whe!ming majority. demand it And
this refusal is the more significant
when ii is remembered that a number
of senators owe their election to grea;
| cOrnOra.a Interests Three Dnmocra r.f