The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1911-07-07
1.-THE OREGON ELECTION LAW
Election Expenses limited-Fine, ImprisOn-
ment and Loss of Office Penalty for Vio-
IatiOn of Its Provisions

Washington, D. c., June 26.
The announcement that Senator Jon
athan Bourne, Jr., will stand for renom-
nation and reelection 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 publicity
pamphlet in which each candidate 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 opponents
may occupy like number of pages in
opposition to him, but must sign their
names TO their articles and be response
Bile under the libel laws of the state.
Candidates are required to pay from $40
to $100 a page for this space, the sum
varying with the importance OF the
office. A copy Of this pamphlet must
be mailed to every 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 ample opportunity
for every candidate to present his claims
before the voters of his election district
at a cost which will not bar any aspirant.
1t practically compels the candidate to
go on record expressly as to his princi-
pies and policies, and prevents his bas-
ing his campaign on local prejudices.
Since the same pamphlet goes to every
section OF the state it is impossible for
candidate to make one appeal TO the
voter in the city and another appeal to
the voter in the country.
Under this law the candidate for the
nomination for senator can state his
cause fully to all the voters of the state
at a cost Of $500. In the general cleo
ton campaign the secretary OF state
issues another pamphlet, distributed in
like manner, in which each party may
occupy not to exceed "a pages, at $50
per page, and each candidate four pages
at 500 per page. Aside from the sum
expended for space in the publicity
pamphlet the Oregon law limits every
candidate to an expenditure of IS per
cent of one years salary in the primary
campaign and 10 per cent of one years
salary in the general election campaign,
provided that no candidate shall be
limited TO less than 800. Every can
didate must file a sworn itemized state
ment OF campaign expenditures within
IS days after election. A similar sworn
statement must be filed within the same
time by every person who expended or
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 a
means of publicity has removed the
necessity for large campaign expendi-
lures. The penalty for violation OF the
Oregon Corrupt Practices Act is fine
of not more than $4,000, 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.