The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-05-20
Corrupt Practices Act
Modelled After Ohio Law
Drastic Measures Proposed to Pre-
vent Corruption In Future
Elections.
BARS ALL GIFTS
TO INFLUENCE VOTERS
Corporations Cannot Aid Candidates
Fines and Disfranehlsement for
Individual Violators.
BY CAL. p. YOUNG.
1ntelligenoer Bureau.
Charleston. W. Va. L1ay IL.


1T there Is anything known to the
astute politician that may be consid-
cred In the class OF means improper
TO be used in the conduct os an hon
est primary election, convention,
etc. and not covered in the corrupt
practices act bill presented in the
senate this morning. It will take
mighty shrewd lawyer or politician TO
discover II. The bill begins with max
ing II prohibitory 10 give. loan or Of
Ter or agree TO ofer or loan or pro-
cure. anything OF value to any voter
or other person, 90 induce him to
register or refrain from registering
Tor any primary or other election. or
10 vote or not to vote at any such
election. or at a convention or caucus.
etc. The penalty is a fine OF not less
than SlO0 and imprisonment in jail
not less than 60 days and disfranchise-
ment for five years. II the violator be
a candidate for any Office he shall I'm
addition 10 the above punishment for
felt his office or nomination.
Bribery
bribery of voters or promise Of en-
ployment. soliciting. requesting. de-
manding or receiving money. whiskey
or other things OF value that would in
duce any person 10 vote in any cleo
tion. including United States sena-
tors, is punishable by fine and i'm
prisonment and disfranchisement for
three years. and II the offense is COM
mitted by a caididate for United
States senator he forfeits his ofhce
or nomination.
The "bOdler." the church subscrip-
ton schemes, the blackmaiiers. etc.
are also included. carrying fines and
imprisonment. Every politician must
have a treasurer. and he must handle
and account for all moneys received
and expenses.
Corporations. IFS officers and stock
holders are prohibited from contribut-
ing 10 any candidate or committee.
etc. Fine and imprisonment Is pro
vided.
one section is used defining for
what purposes money may be paid.
4 canvasser is defined 10 mean one
who goes among the voters for the
purpose Of making public addresses
or personal solicitation Of voters 10
vote for or against n candidate. or
question or proposition. Such can
vasser must file sworn statement OF
money received and 20 whom paid.
Provision is made how and 10 whom
statements must be made. the audit
ing thereof. penalties, etc.
Expenditures Permitted.
Tie last section Of the bill limits
tho expenditures % candidates for Of
fee. For United States senator. 80. 600
voters or less. the maximum expcn-
diture IS $3.50. over 5000 voters and
under 25.000. Sc for each 100 voters 4.
over $4,000 and under 10000 votes.
-. and for each loo voters over $4,000.
81. Any expenditure exceeding tho
amounts named Is declared unlawful.
and the penalty Is a fine ~ not less
than 5000 and Imprisonment for not
less than 90 days and forfeiture Of
the nomination or Office.
The vi0lator Of any provision of the
bill is competent witness against
any other violafor. The patron 90
The bin declares the bin o. an adapta-
ron of fhe Ohio law and tho laws ~
other states and therefore is not an
experiment