Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-01-19
REFORM CANDIDATE FOR Gov.
ERNoR osLlcATEs HIMSELF
TO CORPORATE 'NTGREsTs.
SEVERELY CRITICIZED FOR
VIOLATING WHOLESOME LAW
Statute Prohibiting Soliciting Of Cam
paisn Funds From Corporations Ex-
piieit-Desionsd to Prevent corrup-
ton in state Elsetions-May 30 Elk.
eussd on Grounds Of Ignorance.
Special to Times Republican.

II.
Des Moines, Jcn 19.-Do we want a
candidate for governor on the repub
lican ticket as reformer and uplifter
on platform of purity in politics, who
starts out by ignoring or defying one
of the most wholesome laws We have
put into the books for many years, q
statute intended to forever Danish the
old system of having the corporate
interests control our elections and
make our nominations?
The question was asked state Off
Ger by another yesterday when he re-
ceived from a friend upstate one OF
the soliciting circulars and contribu-
ton blanks sent out by the new politi-
cal faction to get funds for carrying on
the work.
The Law Of the Case.
The letter In question was addressed
TO the 'FirSt State Bank Of count!
sea- town, not to the man who hap
pens to be cashier or to any individual
but to the bank as a corporation. The
circular letter bore the signature name
&c. E. Stayner," who is said to be on
The state official turned to the code
and read the following to show wha,
he meant:
Section 1641-I-lt shall be unlawful
Tor any member Of any political COM
mittee. political party, or employee OF
representative thereof, or candidate for
any office or the representative OF such
candidate, to solicit, request or know
lngly receive from any corporation or
any officer, agent or representative
thereof, any money, property or thing
of value belonging to such corporation
for campaign expenses or for any poll
teal purpose whatsoever
Just how the political managers OF
the Holden campaign are to escape
from this plain clause remains to be
seen. The penalty section follows:
Section 1641-K-Any person con-
victed of violation of any Of the pro-
visions Of this act shall be punished by
imprisonment in the county Jail no,
less than six months or more than one
year. and in the discretion Of the cour,
by fine not to exceed $1,000
Used to Be Fashion.
1t used to be the fashion for the
corporations Of Iowa, of all kinds, to BE-
''milked" by the committees in charge
of various campaigns and supporting
candidates.: but bunch Of "mere
politicians In the legislature a few
years ago decided this was corrupt.
ing system and should be abolished IL
toto. Since the enactment of the law
there has been at least no fragrant ant
bold violation of this law. until the ad.
vent of new faction or party under
the tutelage of Dies Moines politicians.
State and county officials whose
duty 1t is to see that there is no VIC.
lation of the laws Of the state have
become interested in the evidence tina,
crime is being attempted. but pressure
will be brought to bear In behalf OF
clemency for the offenders on tbs
theory that they are amateurs and
probably could not be expected to know
that the code Of Iowa is still in full
force and effect.
1t is supposed that all manner Of
corporations that in the habit of ask.
ing and demanding favors at the hands
of the state government have beer
solicited to join in the new uplif
movement and furnish the funds with
which to carry on the new reform
campaign.