The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-07-19
THE CAMPAIGN CASH BOXES.

last Presidential election many Democrats.
annoyed by troubles from trying to get
an executive committee that could sue
cessfuily beg for the party chest. have
~endeayored TO procure legislation COM
polling publicity Of campaign expendi-
lures Of money. No proof was offered Of
Democratic unwillingness to expend money
II 1t could be conveniently obtained. Legis-
lation was secured In many States. as nota-
bly, In New York. but cautious party men
OIL both sides drew back from pushing ac-
ton by Congress. They did not wish to
seem to conoede that the power Of Congress
to alter State regulations Of 4the times.
places and ann Of holding elections for
Senators and Representatives" covered q
right in Congress to determine who q
vote therefor, regardless Of Presidential
electors.
Democrats had generally commended up
to reconstruction" days that all elections
Of persons to 60 to Washington were ex-
times. places and manner" Manner
did not include ballot box venality.
Each house may sdjudge the elections,
returns and qualifications Of its own men,
bers.' but not Of Presidential electors.
The power of Congress to punish indi-
viduals, q corporation. its officers or direc-
tors. for paying moneyto party campaign
committees has never been distinctly
affirmed by the Supreme Court. and for
the very good reason that the United States
holds no elections. since all are conducted
by the States. which in their own behalf
choose persons to 60 to- Washington. There
Ia in that matter no twilight zone"
Among the demagogio utterances at
Denver was n favoring .the election Of
United States Senators by direct vote Of
the people" and declaring "this reform as
the gateway to other national reforms
No constitutional amendment was pro-
posed to change the present mandate that
they shall be chosen by the Legislature Of
each State II the Democratic party
wishes to compel It's State legislators to
accept a party convention choice of a Sen
ator 1t is free to do so. as now it compels
its Presidential electors. The Republican
party cannot prevent such Democratic
method and discipline.
The Denver convention demanded in q
rather ostentatious and p~eremptory tone
Federal legislation to prevent gifts Of
money by corporations in aid Of elections.
In faoo Of the fact that Congress had so
legislated seventeen months previously, on
January %. 1907. Congress did. however.
refuse the compulsion Of publicity similar
to that enacted by the New York Republi-
can Legislature. to which Mr.. Taft pledges
obedience. and the Chicago convention did
also refuse donunoistion Of payments into
the party chest. Bryan and his managers,
not content with the New York statute,
demand that the Taft managers shall pub
lish gifts as soon as made. which publica-
tion is promised by the former.
1t cannot be denied that a Republican
Congress has threatened severe punish
ment of all corporation campaign gifts
and taken that wind out Of Bryan's sails.
Neither Roosevelt nor Sherman can re-
peat the performances of 1904 and 1908
with the President Of the Union Pacific,
nor can the insurance companies be again
bled as in 1904.
Corporations are exempted aud excluded
this year. Producing. manufacturing, min
ing. transporting. banking. buying and
selling companies are protected. Only in
dividuals are quite free. The officials,
directors. share owners and bond owners
can as individuals give as much as they
please. Bryan. Taft and their families can
PA0aBO II wv uOiSi' ohdiO WhcI
of the Commoner are as Individuals neither
protected nor exempted.
Bryan and Taft can now only differ over
publicity before election. and as to that
the former has the cold end Of the poker.
Who are they who in times now passed
have contributed to the party chest? They
have been, first and best Of all. those who
wished to uphold the hallowed doctrines
Of their party. but the number of such was
greatly diminished by what was lone at
Chicago and Denver. Who remain on either
side as giverss They are those seeking
private rather than public benefits; they
who wish offices or special legislation. like
the tariff, for themselves. heir enterprises,
their families or friends. Why not compel
the quick publicity Of their gifts2 Indeed.
why should such be encouraged2 Each
State will make all needed facilities for
voting. No money will be needed for that.
II the Chicago and Denver politicians 70
Quire money to help along the platforms
and nominations they have made. let them
open their own pockets and check books.
The voters to whom they appeal can obtain
from the newspapers all needed facts to-
aid in voting. The politicians have Sc
lected their candidates. Leave the poll
ticians to elect them.