El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-08-13


1911 has figured. coupled with the
further fact that congress is now about
to pass another law which will make
additional provisions for publicity
makes the story Of campaign funds one
Of unusual interest at this time Start
ing the fashion of spending huge sums
Of money in 1876 to secure the election
of their candidates, the political par
ties kept raising the limit from presi-
Dental years to presidential wear IN
I'll, in the campaign of 1896, the big
gest campaign fund ever got together
was secured by Mark Hanna to elect
William Mckinley TO the presidency In
1910 the tund for Mckinley's reelec-
ton was not as large. In 1904, accord
ing to the best evidence both parties
were well supplied with funds. But
growing sentiment against frying
rat for campaign purposes
Donation of $4,000.
one OF the Impressions gathered by
the student of the history of campaign
contributions is that the funds raised
by the two parties have usually been
overestimated--that is, so far as the
national committees go. On the other
hand, there probably has been a ten
dency to underestimate the amounts
spent by the state and county commit
tees of the two parties For instance
at a recent hearing in the senate com
mtttee on privileges and elections, ex-
senator Nathan 3. Scott, of West Vir-
ginia, for years one of the most prom
organization. testified that in 1904 he
had given $4,000 or $4,000 to the cam
paign in his own state but had not
given cent to the national commit
tee Hundreds of other wealthy m n
have pursued the same course When
it is remembered that on the ballots of
the coming election there will be the
names of hundreds Of thousands of can
didates-One authority says there will
be 100000 people directly or indirect
" voted fora contribution of $50 in
n a r
into the millions
Limit Contributions
The law which congress now is try
ing 10 pass IS one whose aim IS TO
regulate the nomination of presidential
and vice presidential candidates 1t
provides that an organization or indi-
vidual attempting to secure the nomin-
alton Of any person as candidate for
either Of these positions, shall begin
ming 80 days after the calling of the
convention or the fixing of the pri-
lied statement to be filed with the
secretary of the senate, every Is days,
showing in detail the expenditures and
also all contributions, which reports
shall be kept open to public inspec-
ton for two years These reports must
give the name and address of each
tee contributing amounts Of 800 or
more. and of those loaning, promising.
or advancing like amounts. The state
ments also must show the aggregate
amounts of all contributions of less
than 500 each There must also be
itemized statements Of expenditures
filed. showing in detail all amounts Of
$40 and upward, and in the aggregate
all amounts of less than $40
Statements of Candidates
This proposed law provides that com
bursements shall be filed after the
convention or primary, and likewise
requires all candidates to file state
ments showing the sums received and
expended in their behalf and the prom
ises of offices and positions mad by
each candidate The penalty for vio-
posed law is a fine not exceeding $4,000.
or Imprisonment for not more than
three years, or both
The legislative crusade against evil
purposed campaign contributions be-
gan directly after the election of 1904.
under the direction Of the National
Publicity Bill association. and the first
legislative enactment by congress in
this direction was approved in Janu-
airy, 1907. It was aimed at corpora
tons using their funds to further the
office
No Aid From Corporations.
II pronlolts any corporation organ
lied under the laws of congress from
making such contributions in connec-
ton with any election 1t further pro-
h1b1ts any corporation whatever from
making a money contribution in con-
neclon with the election in which
presidential electors, or representatives
in congress, or United States senators
are chosen, and any corporation max
not more than $4,000, and its officers or
directors conSenting thereto also shall
be liable to fines and imprisonment
The next law enacted was approved
in June, 1910, just before the. last con-
SreSSional election It undertook to re-
quire every political committee operat-
ing IN two or more states in an attempt
to influence the result of an election
at which representative in congress
is elected, to keep a full record of all
receipts and expenditures The law re-
CURED that so days or earlier after the
elecuon, sworn statement Of these
receipts and expenditures should be
filed with the clerk of the house OF
representatives, who was to keep thess |
for Is months The penalty for violat-
ing this law was a fine, not TO exceed /
$1,000. OF year in prison. or both
Reports to Congress.
1t was the contention of many that
this measure did not go far enough. 1t !
was pointed out that to omit a require /
ment Tor protection reports was to |
omit the information the people need
ed more before election than after |
election When the present Demo |
cratic house came into power it at |
once passed a new bill through the
house. 1t went to the senate, where
the Republicans amended it in the face
Of Democratic opposition. so as to |
to elections
As finally passed, and now the law
OF the land, the measure provides that |
some time between the 18th and the /
10th day preceding the election at I
which representatives are to be CHOSEN |
In two or more states, an itemized ac-
count Of all receipts and disbursements /
by committees operating in two or 4
more states, shall be made to CON
gress, and all supplemental receipts /
and disbursements must be reported /
every succeeding sixth day After the /
election another and full statement of 1
all sums contributed, pronisS d. |
loaned. or advanced, all sums upward /
of 500 itemized, and all lesser sums 4
in bulk, must be made to the clerk of 4
the house. All expenditures of more /
than $40 shall show the name and ad- /
dress of the recipient, and the total Of !
all expenditures shall be given /
The act of 1911 provides that any
person who campaigns in his own be-
half or that of any other candidate, /
may incur and pay from his private I
funds all necessary personal expenses /
for his travelling expenses, stationery
and postage, and for telegraph and 4
telephone service. this provision hav-
ing been a part of the act of 1910 The
new features added in 1911 extend the /
provisions of the law to the nOmina-
ton of senators and representatives by /
nominating conventions and primaries.
Political promises are absolutely pro-
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