Evening journal., 1912-02-13
HOW MANY?

POINT has been raised as to how many OF
y our public men are free from the tant OF
having directly or indirectly contributed money TO
political campaign funds that were used for cor
rupt purposes. How many, for instance have
asked when they made contributions TO the funas
of their respective parties whether the money was
to be employed for vote buying? If there be any,
they might stand up and be counted They would
make an illuminating roll Of honor that The Journal
would be. pleased to publish. There are, we think,
few indeed in the past who after they made their
contributions, ever gave thought concerning how
the money would be used.
The guilt of having aided and abetted in the
purchase of votes is affected in degree only by the
amounts contributed Is it not true that the stand
ing Of political leader in party has been gauged,
10 more OF less extent by his ability or willing
ness TO contribute to the funds of his party?
Recent disclosures have deved into the history
Of the past Unpleasant things have been made
public before a tribunal Suppose the inside work
ings OF the Democratic party in years gone by
should be barred to the public, does any one doubt
that a story of corruption funds would be dis
closed story Of messengers" and all that, stories
Of Democrats coming TO this city from Sussex
county hungerng and camoring loudly and insist
emily for rich Democrats of this city TO open up
and supply the munitions of war? And did these
appeals always fall deaf ears, and we're the beg
aars for money spurned and turned out OF doors
a Few years ago 1T was holOlioNoi1 1"N SNN)~~'
Of common report that such visits we're made tha'
"dough-day' observed.
Have not there been rich men nominated Tor
Office BY the Democratic party who have contribute
ed fsreely TO the funds Of the party and have
not they been nominated in the sole belief that
their plethoric purposes would be opened at the
beck and call Of the politically hungry. And dd
the contributors inquire as the disposition OF the
funds The only luck that some Democrats have
;s that they have not been found out-have not
been brought 10 the bar of any public legal trl-
bunal
The Journal is not recalling all this for the
purpose of apologzing for any one who may De
suffering from the effects OF exposure, but Tor the
purpose Of pointing out the actual condition as u
has existed in Delaware as bearing on the work
that must be done so that healthy public sentl-
ment shall be created which will reduce the illegiti-
mate employing of money in elections IN the iutuie
10 the minimum. Taking the Democrats at their
word some persons became weary of financing
their campaigns in the past, and there should be
no financing OF any campaigns illegitmately IN
the future
You cannot indict a whole people, said Burke,
but so far the mere federation Of corruption is
concerned there have been some regions in Della.
ware in which pretty nearly the whole people would
have to be indicted
The present agitation about corruption will, W,
trust and believe have a saiutary effect if
merely results in soaring politicians so that the
will not use money improperly in the future
Looking at the matter in the larger light il
well to remember that evils destroy themselve
The evil of vote buying in Delaware will certain