The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1912-08-17
CONSIDER THESE PROPOSITIONS

IN the WING of June I, we published
the reports of the expenditures by the
various political agents for this county
in the primary of May g. 1912. At the
same time we suggested that an exami-
nation of those reports would indicate
that % the Corrupt Practices act is no
effective bar to political corruption, and
that CD under the present direct prim-
airy method of making nominations the
local control of the Republican party lies
in the hands of the colored vote.
l. The first of these propositions hard.
ly needs discussion-it is palpable. Poll
tical corruption does not mean solely
the direct buying of votes. 1t means the
improper use of money Tor other mater
ial considerations to influence elections.
Now examine the reports of politcai
agents in the May primary and see how
easy it is, according to those reports. to
use money for improper purposes. A
B is paid $ to distribute literature"
If that report satisfies the Corrupt Prac-
tices Act then candidate might spend
thousands of dollars for distributing
literature" and avoid the law. c. D
is paid so many dollars in lump sum, as
a sub treasurer" and there is nothing
to indicate to what use the sum was put
Where does such a report furnish any
protection against political corruption?
Team hire" is another fertile field of
unlimited possibilities. u party may
spend any amount of money for indi-
rect purchase of votes under this head
alone. A sub-treasurer said, for eX-
mple to a colored man at the late pri-
~: Take your team and go after S
YOU probably won't get him, but !
re you a dollar ali the same" If
of thing is permissible, and
to an unlimited extent, how
Practices Act going to ac-
tended purpose? We no
Export of an agent in the
+, several quite cons .derable
- to E F. for speaker and
enses." Without some itemi :aton
nd vouchers, here is another opening
for unlimited use of money for improper
purposes.
The late Sidney Mudd laughed at the
Corrupt Practices Act and said ''prac
tical politician can drive coach and
four through it at various points He
was undoubtedly right. AS the Act now
stands it seems to be entirely powerless
TO eliminate the improper use of money
at elections. 1t may mean Wen, put 1t
does not ge there. Gentlemen of decent
political ideals who are comforted with
the thought that Mdrylands Corrupt
Practices Act has abolished political
corruption, are entitled to another long,
large think We only wish the Act were
doing the work for which it was intend
ed. We only wish the use of money at
al
cesstes and the most proper purposes.
But such is not the case. 1t yet remains
a depora5le fact that the long purse
has the biggest control over the float
ing vote" AT least, so it appears to us
from the examination OF reports of ex-
penditures in campaigns for several
years past, including the one just held
2. The second of these propositions is
suggested by careful examination of
the expenditures of the treasurer of the
Taft campaign in this county in the re-
cent primary. Most persons will be sur
prised to learn that there WAS any Taft
campaign, involving any considerable ex-
penditure But it seems that there was.
The Cecil treasurer received $500 from
H. B. Wilcox, the treasurer of the Taft
campaign in Maryland, and his expendi-
lures were chiefly confined to the colored
vote. The colored vote responded with
a practical unanimity which awakens
serious reflections for future possibili-
ties in Republican affairs In this case
their solid vote did no harm. vote for
President Taft was not a dangerous or
deplorable vote.
The point which disturbs ones refiec-
lions for the future is that this colored
vote was cast IN BLOCK. The white
voters divide on the basis Of opinions or
preferences. The coored vote can be
manipulated" IN MASS, by proper Cor
improper) influences. 1t follows, of