New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-09
As Presidential EIeCtor Cam
paign Expenses Were Just
5000 More than
Legal Limit.
ASKS "WHAT'S PENALTY?
Sorry He Didn't Know Restric-
tion on Expenditures Because
He Would Have Saved
Money-Thinks Others
Are in Same Boat.

II is pretty tough, after having given
literally Of your means to obtain the
election Of a Presidential candidate, to
find your generosity has caused you to
be guilty Of a misdemeanor and laid
you liable to a years imprisonment or
a fine OF between 500 and $500, or
both.
Yet that is just the position that
Herman Ridder, an elector- -at-large OH
the Democratic ticket in this state,
finds himself. on Thursday he fled In
Albany an itemized account OF the
money that he had spent in the cam
paign. The fact that his contributions
amounted to 500 was published In
an Albany dispatch yesterday morning.
During the day many friends com
mended him for his generosity. One o.
them. wiser than the others. told him
he thought he had violated the law.
which provides that no candidate 70
Presidential elector shall spend NOR ?
than $1,000 in the election.
Yes, heard to-day that something
was the matter" said Mr. Ridder to a
Tribune reporter last night. But |
did not know | had committed misde-
meanor. What's the penalty
SAYS Il Looks Like Jail. Then.
When the law was read to him h
laughed and said: Well | guess | VIII
have to go to Jail, then. They know
my address and can get me any time
they like. I'll come TO see you about
bail.
But seriously" added Mr.. Ridder
Il did not use that money 10 elect my
self. I gave II TO elect Governor VII
SON."
Mr.. Ridder was reminded that it was
he and his colleagues on the electoral
ticket and not Governor Wilson who
was running on the ballot.
"Oh. we'll" he replied. Il am not
afraid that my motives will be mtscon-
strucd 1t is the intent that always
governs i'm such a case. and there Is
no one who would impugn my motives.
But wish | had known about that
law before" Mr.. Ridder said. laughing
again - might have saved $4,000.
Isn't that too bad!
I'm not the only one. ! guess he
added There are others in the same
boat. Samuel Untermyer gave $4,000
TO the national committee, according
To the reports. And some Of the Re-
publican electors gave largely TO their
national committee. | believe
II Is question, however, as TO
whether gifts TO the national commit
tee would come under the provisions of
the New York State law, as the office
of elector is state office.
The innocent violation OF Herman
Riddcr comes under Section Isl Of the
Penal Law, which reads:
The total amount expended 10y can
didatc for public Office voted for at any
election by the qualified electors OF the
state or any political subdivision Thereon,
for contributions 10 political committees:
as that term is defined I'm Section 90 or
the election law or for any purpose tend
ing i'm any way, directly or indirectly, to
promote or aid in securing his nomina-
ton and election, shall not exceed the
amount specified therein: BY candidate
for the Office OF Representative In Con-
gress or Presidential elector, the sum OF
siO0O. Any candidate for public office
who shall expend for the purposes above
mentioned an amount In excess OF the
sum specified therein shall be guilty OF
msdemeanor.