The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-07-12
OREGON CURRUP7
PRACTICES ACT.
Makes the Expense Of Running.
For Office Nominal
S4OO TO RUN FOR SENATE.


Candidate Without Making Speeches,
Distributing Literature or Spending
Money-Penalty For Laws Violation.
The announcement that Senator Jon
athan Bourne, Jr., will stand for
denomination without making any
speeches, distributing any literature or
spending money has called attention
to the provisions of the Oregon corrupt
practices act, which makes it possible
for a candidate in that state to present
his cause before the voters at nominal
expense.
The Oregon law provides that the
secretary of state shall issue a public
ity pamphlet in which each cand date
is permitted to use not to exceed four
pages in setting forth the principles for
which he stands and the reasons why
he should be nominated. His oppo.
nents may occupy a like number of
pages in opposition to him, but must
sign their names to their arguments
and be responsible under the libel laws
of the state. Candidates are required
to pay from $40 to S100 a page for
this space, the amount varying with
the Importance of the office. A copy
of this pamphlet must be mailed to ev-
cry registered voter not less than eight
days prior to election. In practice the
secretary of state mails the pamphlet
to the voter as soon as he registers
This law provides an ample oppor-
tunity for every candidate to present
his claims before the voters of his elec-
ton district at a cost which will not
bar any aspirant. 1t practically COM
pels the candidate to go on record ex-
pressly as to his principles and poll
cies and prevents his bas.ng his cam
paign on local pre1udices. Since the
same pamphlet goes to every section
of the state it is impossible for a can
didate to make one appeal to the voter
in the city and another appeal to the
voter in the country.
Under this law candidate for the
nomination for senator can state his
cause fully to all the voters of the
state at cost of $400. In the general
election campaign the secretary of
state issues another pamphlet, distrib-
uted in like manner, in which each
party may occupy not to exceed twen-
ty-four pages at $50 per page and each
candidate four pages at 500 per page.
Aside from the amount expended for
space in the publicity pamphlet, the
Oregon law limits every candidate to
an expenditure of 10 per cent of one
years salary in the primary campaign
and 10 per cent of one years salary in
the general election campaign, provfd-
ed that no candidate shall be limited
to less than $780, Every candidate
must file sworn itemized statement
of campaign expenditures within IF
teen days after election. A similar
sworn statement must be filed within
the same time by every person who
expended Ior contributed $50 or more
in support of or In opposition to any
candidate.
Doubtless there will be violations of
the Oregon corrupt practices act, just
as there always will be violations Of
every other criminal statute, but the
Oregon law has set high standard in
political methods and by providing
means of publicity has removed the
necessity for large campaign expendi-
lures. The penalty for violation of the
Oregon corrupt practices act Is a fine
of not more than $1,000 or imprison
ment for not more than one year, or
both. A candidate violating the law
also forfeits his right to the office
This is the main barrier preventing its
violation.