The independent-reporter., 1910-12-08
MASS MEETING HELD
MONDAY EVENING
Campaign Publicity Law
IS Discussed
Resolutions In Favor OF Corrupt Prac-
tiee Act Passed Unanimously.

ST bti1h Ou int ilbht II dCh, anu US-
lieye my friends, the ministers, when
they tell me that the world grows
better every day said the Hon. S. w.
Gould while presiding at the mass
meeting in G. A. R. hall Monday night.
But l.. l.. Walton reminded the audi
ence that the eongressman-ele had
belonged to the minority party for
good many years, and SO had missed
knowing all about some of the activi-
ties in affairs political.
The mass meeting was called by the
citizens committee to discuss ways
and means for securing a campaign
publicity act, in preparation for the
great battle involved in the resub-
mission OF the prohibitory law The
hall was filled with interested citizens
and the discussion was spirited
throughout. After some musical Sc
lections by E. E. Harris, T. G. Lord,
Charles and Harold Sheaff and John
Oddly with Miss Faith Harris accom-
panying, Hon. s. w. Gould called the
meeting to order and asked Christie
pher M. Gallup to explain the ma
ture and operation of a campaign
publicity law. This Mr.. Gallup did
ard said in pert
Publicity is the nearest thing to a
panacea for political and social ills
that ever has been or is likely to be
discovered. Above everything else men
prize the respect and esteem of their
fellows, and when forced to make a
decision almost invariably choose the
good name in preference to great
riches. Politics, which really means
the science of government, has been
called That Shiny pool wherein men
fish for Office because we have per-
mitted SO much of political activity to
be carried on in secret.
The first step In cleaning up or
preventing political corruption, is to
let in the light. To guide us in doing
this we have the successful expert
ence of several states, my native com
monwealth among them There any
man who handles money to further
the political success of any candidate
or principle. is obliged first to file a
certificate with the proper official,
stating that he is to act as a political
agent. After that we know whom to
watch.
Everyone with political experience
knows that the Dirty work in poll
ties is done through local agents. On
ly those who know the venal voters
personally can successfully approach
them, for our statute books are load
ed with laws against bribery. Wealthy
men who supply campaign funds have
no choice but to work through some
organization. They hand out the mon
ey to the local workers, and the lat
ter handle 1t for them because the
rules of the game permit them to
quietly pocket more or less of 1t.
Under the so-called corrupt Drac-
tice acts, political agents are Obliged
to keep complete account of all
monies received and paid which in
cludes of course the names and ad-
dresses of all concerned, and within
a specified time after election. file a
sworn statement covering all the
items. This makes misappropriation
of funds quite difficult and largely re-
moves the incentive to do any dirty
work at all. The best of these laws
also require political agents to keen
their accounts open to public inspec-
ton.
"Of course there is the chance that
an agent may file a false statement
but in that case he commits per
jury, which Is a penitentiary offence
Now proving perjury is quite differ
ent from proving bribery. Under our
system of Jurisprudence no person
charged with crime can be compelled
to testify. but a perjury case starts
with a sworn statement by the accus-
ed Because of this. the corrupt prac-
tice laws are really effective
But in addition to the organiza-
tion made up of political agents there
are the individual voters. They can
be reached In similar manner. The
| Canadian corrupt practice act pro-
yides that upon challenge, any elector
may be required to make oath that
he has not been corruptly Influenced
in the exercise of his franchise. prior
to casting his ballot. When thus call
ed upon. the yenal voter has no means
of knowing what. II any. evidence the
challenger may have against him. He
does know If he swears falsely that
he Is taking chances of going TO
states prison. | am credibly inform
ed that many of these voters when so
challenged, simply turn away and do
not try to vote at all"
Mr.. Gallup then offered the follow
Ing resolution:
Resolved: That we are in favor of
corrupt practice act. to be applied
to all State and National elections in
cluding votes under the referendum
with provisions requiring publicity
both before and after election. as to
the expenditure of money used for
political purposes.
Resolved: That we request the Sen
ators from Somerset county and our
representative from Skowhegan to
use their best efforts and all honor
able means for the enactment of such
law. that the purity of the ballot may
be safe guarded and the real. uncor-
rupted will of the voters be express
ed at the polls.