The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1914-07-29
CANDIDATES MUST BEWARE

CANDIDATES MUST BEWARE
The citizen who seeks political hon.
ors at the direct primary or general
election must be careful not to vio-
late any provision of the corrupt prac-
tice act. This law prohibits a num-
Der of campaign courtesies or customs
that heretofore have been considered
legitimate, but under the new reform
measure they must be cut out by the
candidate who proposes to eliminate
the possibility of having his election
contested. There are SO many things
placed under the ban as corrupt prac-
tees that it has been suggested, as
a matter of extreme caution, that the
candidate remain at home during the
campaign and avoid the risk of incur
ring penalties provided in the new
law.
In the matter of campaign expen-
ses, the candidate is prohibited from
spending more than fifteen per cent.
of n years salary of the Office to
which he aspires. and he must keep
accurate account of every item Of ex-
pense incurred during the campaign.
Within fifteen days after the pri-
mary or election, the candidate must
file with the county clerk al item
lied sworn statement setting forth in
detail all the moneys contributed, *
pended or promised by him to aid and
promote his nomination or election,
or Doth, as the case may be, and for
the election of his party candidates,
and all existing unfulflled promises
Of every character and all liabilities
remaining uncanceled and in force at
the time such statement is made,
whether such expenditures, promises
and liabilities were made or incurred
before, during or after such election.
If no money or other valuable thing
was given, paid, expended. contribut-
I'd or promised, and no unfulfilled liza
hf1ities were incurred by a candidate
nomination or election, or the cleo
ton of his party candidates. he shall
file a statement to that effect.
ANY candidate who shall fail to
file such a statement shall be fined
twenty-five dollars for every day on
which he was in default, unless he
shall be excused by the court. Fiji
teen days after any such election the
county clerk shall notify the county
attorney of any failure to file such a
statement or the part Of any candi-
date, and within ten days thereafter
such prosecuting officer shall proceed
to prosecute said candidate for such
o!fense."
Treating the use of vehicles, the
solicitation of votes on the day of
election, the wearing of political
badges or other insignia about the
polls on election day, the circulation
of anonymous literature of any kind
ut any time, betting on results, are
all prohibited. Ministers and priests
are prohibited at any time from urg
ing or persuading voters other than
by public speech or print. from vot
ing for or against any candidate OF
Oh account of his religious duty. The
solicitation of candidates Or those
seeking to be candidates to C ntri
butte to any religious, political. char
table OF other cause or organization
to buy tickets of any kind, or to sub
scribe to space in any book, program
or other publication, is also prOhib
tied.
The more or less fragrant campaign
cigar is banished from Montana b,
this provision of the corrupt practice
act:
Section 26. Any person or candi
date who shall either by himself o.
by any other person, either before o.
after an election. or while such per
son or candidate is seeking a nOmin
alton or election, directly or indirect
ly give OF provide, or pay, who'll.
or in part, the expenses of giving o
providing any meat or drink or othe
entertainment or provision, clothing
liquors, cigars or tobacco, to or TO
any person for the purpose or wit
intent or hope to influence that pei
son or any other person to give or RI
frain from giving his vote at sue
election to or for any candidate G
political party ticket, y shall b
guilty of treating. Every electo
who accepts or takes any such mea
drink, entertainment. provision, clotl
ing, liquors, cigars. or tobacco. sha
be guilty of treating; and such a.
ceptance shall be a ground of cha
lenge to his vote and of rejecting hi
vote On a contest.
The solicitation of support frOl
voters on election day is strictly pr
hibited in a section of the law whic
says: ut shall be unlawful for AL
person at any place on the day
any election to ask, solicit, or in al
manner try to induce or persuade al
voter on such election day to vote fl
or refrain from voting for any cand
date or the candidates or ticket
any political party or organization, {
any measure submitted to the peopl
and upon conviction thereof he sha
be punished by a fine of not less tina
Geo lo11orc NOR moro than Ono hu'