The Paonia progressive and the Paonia newspaper., 1911-06-29
NATION news.
What is Doing in the Political
Realm at the National
Capitol

Washington. Jim 2s.-The annouu-
cemenn that Senator Jonathan
Bourne. Jr., will stand for renonina-
ton and reelection without making
any speeches, distributing any liter
ature or spending money, has called
attention to the provisions OF the
Oregon Corrupt Practices Act which
makes 1t possible for a candidote IN
that state to present,his cause before
the voters at nominal expense.
The Oregon law provides that the
Secretary of State shall issue pub
iicity pamphlet in which each cant
dade is permitted to use not to eI-
ceed four pages In setting forth the
principles for which he stands and
the reasons why he should be nomi-
mated. His opponents may occupy
n like number Of pages in:opposition
to him. but must sign their names tn
their argument and be responsible
under the liberal laws OF the state.
Candidates are requiem to pay from
$40 to $Ie0 a page fsr this space. the
amount varping with the import
ance OF the Office. copy OF this
pamphlet must lie mailed to every
registered voter not less than eight
days prior to election. In prac tice.
the Secretary of State malls the pam
phlet to the voter as soon as he re-
gfsters.
This law provides an ample oppor-
tn,t,v for .x.rv ra nta.ta ~ ,.r.san,
his claims before the voters of his
election district at a cost which will
not bar any aspirant IL practically
compei- the candidate to go on re-
cord expressly as to his principles
and policies. and prevents his basing
his campaign on Local pre- inpices.
Since the slime pamphlet goes to
eAery section of the state IL IL impos-
sible for a candidate to make one ap-
peal tn the voter In the city and
another appeal to the voter In the
country.
Under this law a candidate for the
nomination for senator can state his
cause fully to all the voters of the
state at cost Of $500. In the gener-
nj election ca =paigu. the Secretary
OF State Issue another pamphlet. dis
tributed IN like manner, In which
each party may occupy not To exceed
81 .nages. at $50 per page aud each
rnna. date four pages at 500 per page
Aside :, ON the amount expended for
space ia ne publicity pamphlet. the
Oregon. law Iimitsevery candidate To
nm expendditur. of II per cent OF on,
years salary IN the urinary campaign
and 10 per cent ofune years salary In
the general election campaign. pro
yided that no candidate shat, be lin |
tied To less than 500. Every candi- |
date must file "A sworn itemizeu |
OF campaign expenditures
within Is days after election. sim
liar sworn statement must Ice filed
within the sanme time by every per.
son who expended or contributed $50
or more In support OF or In opposi-
tIon to any candidate.
Doubtless there will be violations
of the Oregon Corrupt Practices Act
lust as there always will be viola
tons OF every other criminal statute,
but the Oregon law has set IA high
standard in political methods, and
by providing n means OF publicity
has remoued the necessity for large
expenditures. The penalty
for viola ton OF the. Oregon Corrupt
Practices Act In n fine and mare than
$1,000, or imprisonment for not more
than one year, or both. A candidate
violating the law also forfeits right
10 the office. This IL the main barri-
er preventing its violation.
NOTICE