The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1911-07-20
PUBLICITY BILL PASSES,
MOST DRASTIC CAMPAIGN LEGIS
TION ADOPTED.
Measure, as Adopted by Upper House,
Puts Congressional Expenditures
at $4,000; Senatorial, $4,000.

Washington, July 1.-THE most
drastic campaign publicity legislation
ever passed in either branch of con-
gress was adopted by the senate to-
day practically without dissenting
vote. Using the prediction publicity
bill passed by the house as basis,
the senate constructed during the
day a proposed law, with the follow
| ing important features.
No candidate for the senate or
house shall spend in the election
more than a sum equal to ten cents
for each voter in his district or State.
No senatorial candidI~e nall spend
a total of more than $4,000 in the
primary and general election; and
no candidate for the house shall
spend more than $4,000.
Publicity must be given to all pri-
mary campaign contributions and ex-
penditures.
Publicity Before Election.
All general election expenses must
be made public before the election,
beginning Is days before the elec-
ton and making publication each six
days until election.
All promises of political jobs must
be made public. The bill further
makes it illegal to promise political
| places in order to secure election sup
port, or to aid in influencing the
election of any member of a State
legislature.
The bill will be the subject of a
probably prolonged conference be-
tween the two houses. 1t originated
| in the house as a part of the Demo-
| cratic legislative programme and was
designed to require the publication
of expenditures before election, which
is not required by the existing pub
licity law.
The Republicans in the house un-
successfully attempted to extend the
bill to cover primary election ex-
penses. In the senate to-day the
primary election amendment, coupled
with more radical amendments, was
adopted with little opposition.
The senate amendments authoriz-
ed by the committee on privileges
and elections required publicity OF
all primary election expenses and all
pledges of political jobs or favors.
Some objection to this was made on
the ground that primary elections
were not within the control of con-
gress. The amendment was finally
adopted, however, by a vote of so to
Z, Senators Bacon, Bailey, Bankhead,
| Johnson, Bryan, Overman and Tay-
lor voting against it.
Reeds Amendment.
The more rigid portion of the bill,
limiting the amount senatorial or
congressional candidates may spend in
any election and prohibiting the max
| ing of all campaign pledges, was pro-
posed by Senator Reed of Missouri,
and adopted only after long debate.
Senator Reed referred to the cam
paign expense statement filed by Sen
ator Stephenson of Wisconsin, show
ing expenditure of approximately
$4,000 and to- other large sums
spent by senatorial candidates. He
finally offered an amendment putting
the total expenditure by any candi-
date at sum not to exceed ten cents
per head for the voters in the candi-
dates State. Senator Borah said this
would permit a senatorial candidate
in New York to spend nearly $780,
900 in his election. while candidates
in Nevada could spend only about
$1,000 each.
The Reed amendment was defeated
once, but was renewed and adopted.