The weekly herald. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 1906-19??, 1908-08-13


ers, continued party success blinds
their eyes to the needs OF the peo-
pie and makes them deaf to the cry
OF distress.
Publicity as 10 Campaign Contribu-
lions.
An effort has been made Ia secure
legislation requiring publicity as to
campaign contributions and expendi.
lures, but tho Republican leaders,
even In the face OF an indignant
public, refused to consent to law
which would compel honesty In cleo
tons, when the matter was brought
up In the recent Republican national
convention, the plank was repudlat-
ed by a vote Of $50 to o.. Here, too,
Mr.. Taft has been driven to apollo
gize for his convention and 10 de-
clare himself in favor Of a publicity
law; and yet II YOU Will read what
no says upon this subject, YOU will
find that his promise falls far short
Of the requirements OF the situation.
lie says:
III ! am elected president, shall
urEe upon congress, with every hope
Of success, that a law be passed re-
quirlng the filing, in federal Of
flee, Of a statement Of the contribu-
tions received by committees and can
didates in elections for members Of
congress, and in such other elections
as are constitutionaly within the
control OF congress"
I shall not embarrass him by ask
ing him upon what he bases his hope
Of success, II Is certainly not on any
encouragement he has received from
Republican leaders, II is sufficient
to say that il his hopes were realized
if, in spite of the adverse action
of his convention, he should succeed
in securing the enactment OF the
very law which he favors, It would
give but partial relief He has read
Che Democratic platform; not only
his language but his evident alarm,
indicates that he has read It care
fully lie even had before him the
action Of the Democratic national
committee in interpreting and
applying that platform. and yet, he
fails to say that he favors the pub
location OF the contributions before
the election. or course, II satisfies
natural curiosity 10 find out how an
election has been purchased, even
when The knowledge comes too late
to be Of service but why should the
people be kept in darkness until tho
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 can be given for secrecy
as to the influences at work? If a
man, peculiarly interested in CON
centrating the control OF tho rail-
roads in one management" sub
scribes a large sum to aid in carry
ing the election, why should his part
in the campaign be concealed until
be has put the officials under obliga-
ton to him? If trust magnate con
tributes 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 positions?
This Is not new question: It Is
question which has been agItated-
a question which the Republican
leaders fully understand question
which the Republican candidate has
studied, and yet he refuses to de-
clare himself in favor OF the legisla-
ton absolutely necessary, namely,
legislation requiring publication be-
fore 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 preda-
tory interests are doing? The Dem
ocratic party meets the issue hon
estly and courageously, II says:
1--WE pedge the Democratic party
TO the enactment Of a law prohibit,
ing any corporation from contrbut-
ing to campaign fund, and any indi-
vidual from contributing an amount
above a reasonable maximum, and
providing for the publication, before
election, Of all such contributions
above a reasonable minimum"
The Democratic national commit
tee Immediately proceeded to inter-
pref and apply this plank announc-
inc that M contributions would be