The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-06-12
PUBLICITY.
Law and Public Sentiment Against OF.
nee TO Reward Party Service.

To n EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sfr: The
selection OF Mr.. Hughes as the candidate
Of the Republican party Is OF the utmost
Significance In Its relation to campaign
publicity and Its Importance to the ma
tional defence. The American people are
willing to prepare their navy and army
for the national defence. but the state
Department and the diplomatic service,
Its first line. demand equal attention.
The heads Of the state. Navy and Wal
departments should not he selected on
account Of past or anticipated political
service. Party organization under our
party government requires recognition
OF service. but let such recognition not
infringe upon the national defence. Tho
campaign publicity nov ment had Its
origin in the Presidential election Of
1904. The agitation over contributions
~ corporations led TO an investigation In
the State Of New York by q legislative
committee Of which Mr.. Hughes was the
counsel. Governor Hughes In his first
message TO the New York Legislature
said:
There 10 no better way 81 putting an end
10 bribery and corruption than by com
pelltng full publicity as 10 campaign ex-
penditures. and this was the intent Of the
legislation last year. From the abatement
ffNh oItNr INV t1rN 'NNiV " wv INV
i.arned Of the large amounts that are
needed for legitimate uses during q cam
paisn. and party ORGANIZATIONS have &C.
cured from heir managers an account Of
the manner ~ which the money entrusted
10 them was spent. The value OF this
legislation 10 principally found in the
means provided for the scrutiny Of the
statements fled, and the provision permit
ting private individuals to Institute . legal
inquiry for this purpose 10 a very impor-
,ant advance toward the desired end.
The efforts 10 secure a provision for
the enforcement Of the Federal Law sim
liar to that In the New York publicity
statute TO which Governor Hughes re-
ferred as "a very important advance
toward the desired end" ave been un-
availing. MIR. Hughcs's election would
undoubtedly enable US to carry out all
the purposes OF campaign publicity.
our organization has never ceased To
insist that one NJ the chief purposes Of
campaign publicity legislation In to pre-
vent. as far as may he possible through
publicity, the purchase n sale Of pub
lie offices In recognition OF campaign
obligations. whether OF nomination or
election. Campaign publicity has there
fore a distinct and important relation to
the national defence. Army corps and
Dat'iesntpS are not entrusted 10 mex
perienced commanders as rewards for
Political contributions or party service.
The responsibilities OF our Government
"a n world Power nave demonstrated the
need Of training and experience In the
State Department n the diplomatic
service. which together constitute the
FIRST line Of national defence.
The pending Presidential election Is
the second 10 he held under the opera
tion of campaign publicity laws. II may
he ssutned the public sentiment will. as
in 1912. require a faithful observance
OF those laws on the part Of campaign
committees national. Congressional and
State. OF all political parties. hut II re-
mains to he seen how far the spirit NJ
the law was observed at the nominating
convention or will he ny the incoming
Administration. whichever party may be
successful. IL IL 20 be hoped that the
barterine OF the great places for political
service or for campaign contributions
will hereafter not again be tolerated as
having been chiefly in compliance with
exigcncies Of personal or party ad-
vantage.
nv. Hughes has already announced in
his message Of acceptance that there
SHOULD he no sarri1ce ri national interest
to partisan expediencies.
PERRY Ri MONT
President National Campaign Publicity
association.
NEW YORK. June II.