Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-12-28
POLITICAL CANDIDATES AND CORRUPT PRACTICE ACTS.

The question of the Of money in politics has become
national issue well matter of concern to the people of our
own state We spoke the other day Of Tainted Governors
and the extent to which people throughout the nation had sought
and are still seeking to embo concrete form on statute books
sane and pronounced sentiment opposition to corrupt prac
tees politics. evidenced the of Congress and the
legislative measures Of various commemorative
we have been asked to supplement our utcrace ny show
readers what has been accomplished in Vermont
in the direction of legislation promote politics and
clean canvasses We gladly comply with this request for YER
mont now approaching city elections and town meetings as
well as State and national campaigns and will be helpful
we know precisely where stand and not be benrched
IN ne matter OF legislation concerning bribery ana corrup-
ton in elections Vermont has been prousc but has cover
ed the ground in Section 237 of the Public Statutes of
vermont makes the general provision that person VINO at
emps by bribery threats any undue influence to dictate
eral election snail be fined than hundred dollars
he champions of politics in Vermont evidently de-
voted far greater attention the question of corrupt practices
IN securing nominations than in obtaining elections This may
be due in part to the fact long period nomination
IN vermont mas neen regarded equivalent to an election BE
the explanation what while disposed OF the whole
subject Of corrupt elections summarized above.
we nave IN minute detail what illegal and what IS
office
Following the contest of 1902 in which
ing men struggled at different long period and
through successive nominating and bitterly
contested State election and legislative session to reach
e goVerhorSp station the General Assembly of Vermont IN
response to public sentiment pronounced general en-
acted legislation to prevent repetition of the experiences of
that gold letter year in Green Mountain politics.
provided in the first place that No person shall directly
or indirectly give cxpend contribute promise give
pay expend contribute money other valuable thing
der to promote his nomination. the nomination of another
candidate for public office by
nomination except for expenses provided in
the following section.
The exception to this sweeping rule Of conduct in political
campaigns embraced in the provision that "A
incur and in order his nomination the
nomination Of another candidate for public office,
his personal expenses travelling writing printing
and preparing for transmission by letter. circular other pub
LEGATION issued regular intervals whereby he
his position views the position of another
upon public other for stationery and for
telegraph telephone and other regular service and
for other petty expenses but all expenses shall
t.
him
This paragraph with all necessary
detail the things candidate his friends
spending OF campaign for political nomination for
public office regards individuals The go further
however, and what shall be left undone by newspapers
Section 106 provides that No publisher of "a newspaper
other publication issued regular intervals in this State shall
directly indirectly accept money
in such republication of the nomination of
candidate for public office in this State
AS gentle reminder and probably little of the
size of the penalty it is also provided that a person who
violates provision of the three preceding sections shall be
10 less than 800.
AS matter Of conspicuous fact however law
this class have been fined
In this in many other in Vermont and elsewhere
there law enough The difficulty the
of legislation intended to nominating campaigns and cleo
lions free from corruptng influences of all kinds It be
human nature to shr the responsibility of being Inform
much less enforcer of law. Possibly the law breakers
connection with elections have cultivated this spirit long
their interest that they succeeded in planting
and unnatural instinct in the human breast.
The time has arrived when the people Of Vermont will
longer tolerate either elections
We believe this sentiment will be crupuosly observed
necion with the coming Vermont and that the
following session of the Legislature lawmakers will
commonwealth abreast the nation by cnactng sweeping lga
ton aimed at corrupt practices of all kinds in politics.