Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1909-06-04
.pROBERS ASK
FOR SWEEPING
BALLOT REFORM
INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE RE.
PORTS MEASURES TO PREVENT
CORRUPTION IN ELECTION.
CONTRIBUTIONS ARE LIMITED.
Poll Workers Abolished and Specific
Items Are Mentioned for Which
Money Can Be Spent.
BIG PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS

MADISON, Wis, June 1.-[Special.l
Sweeping reforms in primary and gen
eral elections are made in the four bills
which were introduced in the Senate to-
day upon the recommendation of the
Senate investigating committee which
has for many weeks been probing the
recent primary and general election of
United States senator.
The principal bill has to do with the
spending of money. Money can be spent
only by candidates themselves or through
authorized managers and only for rent
ais, clerical help at headquarters or
homes of candidates or managers; the
printing and distributing of campaign
matter; newspaper advertising and tray
cling expenses.
Candidates may contribute to state
and district committees, but no legis-
lative candidate shall contribute to state
central committees. Detailed reports of
receipts and expenses shall be made ev-
cry week during the primary campaign
and also during the general campaign.
Every manager must file his appointment
before spending money and shall also
make weekly reports by proper officers.
No committee or manage shall accept
single contributions of over $500. No
contributions shall be received from non
residents of the state 0r foreign corpora
lions. Every person spending over SoU
shall file reports with the county clerk.
Committees may pay expenses OF cam
paign speakers, newspaper advertising
shall be marked up ahead in plea capl-
tails paid advertising" with amount paid
and who by.
Violations are made a felony punish
able by Jail sentence of one to six months
or state prison one to three years at the
discretion of the court.
No Refreshments Either.
After the primary no candidate for
United States senator shall spend money
except for personal use to travel, post
age. etc. He shall not attempt to in
Hnence elections to the Legislature ex-
cent by payments to the central committee.
He shall not contribute to fraternal or
other organizations except by dues and
church Sunday collections. The penalty
is one month to one year in prison be-
sides disqualification.
The bill does away with all eiectlon
workers of every character. All cam
paign literature must bear the names Oh
the person sending it out
No refreshments shall be given or
taken for influence. Newspapers print
ing political editorials must print the
nanes of their stockholders. Nlolatloils
are punishable by from SIX months III
iail or one year in prison.
Another bill changes the law relative
TO the marking of ballots so persons can
mark a ballot for a person who cannot
read or write, although llllterates can
vote without help. No person can nave
a place on the ballot and is disqualified
for the office if he has not filed state
ments of campaign expenses before cleo
tion as prescribed. Party committees
can fill vacancies caused thereby. The
proper officers shall notify candidates OF
failure to file expenses and also the dis
trict attorney, who shall prosecute for
failure to file. Violations are made
felony punishable by from one month
to one year in Jail or from one to tive
years in prison.
Publication of Platforms.
Another bill provides for publication
by the state of political platforms. Pre-
vious to this any candidate can file his
own platform with the secretary OF state
forty days before the primary.
Supporters of such candidates may
also file their support, but not if the
candidates objects. Opposition state
ments may be filed thirty days before the
primary There is no protection from
libel Each candidate is allowed one
printed page, 6x9 inches, S-point type,
single loaded, with foot notes and OPP
position to him on a page. For thiscandi-
dates must pay as follows: For United
States senator, congressman and state
officers 500; for Legislature S25.
Twenty days before the primary and
twenty-five days before the general cleo
ton the secretary of state shall prepare
a pamphlet for each county and mail it
to each voter in the county, the mailing
to be finished ten days before the pri-
mary.
Party platforms may be filed with the
secretary of state October 1. All these
shall be bound together and mailed to
voters ten days before election and can