Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1909-06-04
PROB1RS 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
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 legls-
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 manager shall accept
single contributions of over $500. No
contributions shall be received from non
residents of the state or foreign corpora
tons Every person spending over $50
shall file reports with the county clerk.
Committees may pay expenses of cam
paIgn speakers, newspaper advertising
shall be marked up ahead in plea capt.
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
fuence elections to the Legislature ex-
cept 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 III prison be-
sides disqualification.
The bill does away with all election
workers of every character. All cam
paign literature must bear the names of
the person sending it out.
No refreshments shall be given or
taken for influence. Newspapers print
ing political editorials must print the
names of their stockholders. Violations
are punishable by from six months III
Jail 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 illiterates can
vote without help. No person can have
q place on the ballot and is disqualified
for the office if he has not filed state
ments of campaign expenses before cleo
ton as prescribed. Party comm ttees
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 oNfiye
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 CD.
position to him on page. For thiscandi.
dates must pay as follows: For United
States senator, congressman and state
officers 500; for Legislature $25.
Twenty days before the primary and
twenty-five days before the general elec.
ton the secretary of state shall prepare
a pamphlet for each county and mail il
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 tc
voters ten days before election and can.
didates shall pay the same way as il
the primary.