Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-27

fashion Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain, being I'M
opposed. was elected the first member OF
the now Parliament, hich will sit on Feb
runry IS.
But II there Is more than one candidate
the sheriff asks for a show of hands, and
then the candidates demand a poll. The
poll is ordered for the day previously
agreed upon and announced Within one
hour after the nominations the candidates
must deposit with the sheriff a sum.
varying from $500 to 5000. according to
the size, OF the constituency, to secure
the payment OF the expenses OF holding
the election. All the expenses must be
paid by the candidates on a bill presented
by the sheriff or other returning officer.
On the day these nominations are made
the political party committees suspend
activities and by formal resolution de-
clare themselves nonexistent. After the
election they are ~reorEanized.
But the successful candidates seat IS
not assured. He is elected and may take
his seat, but II every provision of the
corrupt practices act has not been met,
then a petition may be started wherein n
number Of electors may alleee violations
OF the act. II the allegations are sub5tan-
tiated the moinber Is unseated and Is rem
dered incapable of holding any office for
the term of seven years and he may be
further fined or punished.
The corrupt practices act limits the
amount Of money a candidate may spend
in his campaign. limits specifically the
things for which this money may be spent
and makes the candidate responsible not
only for his own acts, but Cor those of his
agents and supporters. Each candidate
under the law IL required to appoint an
election agent and all campaign expenses
must be paid through this agency. Ex-
penses may range from $50 to SO, 900,
according to the population and area Of
the constituency.
All claims for election expenses must
be submitted to the candidate within four
teen lays after the election, all such
claims as allowed by a court must be paid
within twenty-eight days, and fun and
complete public returns must be made
within thirty-five days. The failure to
meet any of these requirements makes
the election void. The candidate is re-
sponsible for his duly appointed agent
and for all other supporters who may be
working in his behalf as bona fide agents,
whether with or without the knowledge
Of the candidate.
Any bribery by any agent voids the
election, and bribery is defined as the Civ
ing or promising to give, whether the
promise is kept or broken. Of any money
or anything worth money, or any treat
OF food or drink, or any employment or
promise OF employment or any pay for
loss Of time while voting. Thus a sup
porter OF a candidate may, without the
candidates knowledge and against his
express orders, treat another man to a
glass Of beer in exchange for a vote.
That act would void the election and un-
seat the member. Employers are prohlb-
tied under heavy penalties from influencing
the votes OF their employees, and the bene-
ficiary of such influence loses his seat.
This law, Of course, is not obeyed to the
letter but II is a constant reminder to
candidates and their agents, to be very,
very careful. The law prohibits the hiring
OF bands of music and therefore English
political speakings are without the in
SEPARATION OF brass music. The law pro-
hibits the purchase or giving away OF
badges of distinction. An enthusiastic
party man at a recent election printed.
az his own expense, some cards to be
worn in hats, bearing the name Of the
party candidate for Parliament. The ex-
pense altogether was $40 and the candidate
knew nothing about 1t. But the law had
DO6n DEOhtn III iIS DNhAlA' anu w lOSL
his seat in Parliament,
Election expenses incurred by the party
for party purposes, and not in the interest
Of any particular candidate, do not come
under the law. A great deal Of money
is spent in this way, and there is some
corruption. A district may be flooded
with FREQ beer and free coal, as is often
done In London by Charitable organiza-
tions'' with political intent.
The result of all this machinery is that
the House of Commons is elected by a
system so nearly free from corruption
that no faint lies on the title of the house
to represent the will Of the electors. Cum
bersome as it is. 1t is a far better election
system than any other that has been de-
vised for the maintenance Of the purity
and dignity Of the ballot, The House OF
Commons comes to London as the vote
of the people.
ny Frederic j. Haskin.
T-omorrow-Ths English Elections.
vTII-The Tariff Reform Issue.