The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-12-01
DOOM OF THE "sLusH FUND"

1t is quite likely that congress will
have the opportunity of enacting a
law that will have as its object the
prevention of "slush fund" in close
states to influence the election Of
president.
United States Senator Pomerene |
has the subject in mind, and it is al
together probable that action will be
sought along the line indicated.
Senator Pomerene declares that he
favors legislation under which each
state will wage its political campaign
-unassisted by financial contributions
from other states. Declaring that the
people of each state know what can
didates they want to elect without
being interfered with by individuals
OF influences outside their state, the
senator said that the day of extrava-
giant use of money in political cam
paigns is over. He advocated amend
ment of the laws so as to limit the ex-
penditures of candidates for United
States senator in the same way as
those OF other candidates.
The offense of the use of vast sums
of money in the recent campaign by
the Republican managers was more
Elaring than ever before in the his
tory of politics in the United States.
Indiana, always regarded as close
ttyfth
contributed by Wall Street and allied
interests and sent into that state TO
influence the electors in behalf OF
Hughes election hs ostensible use
was to hire workers In behalf OF the
Republican ticket. The placing Of the
money was nothing but an evasion OF
the law against the buying Of votes
Hiring" men to work" was simply
a subterfuge. There was never sucl
a scandal in politics as was furnished
in Indiana this year. If there ha'
been such a law as Senator Pomeren'
proposes and the Wall Street "susl
fund" had been kept ont of Indiana
that state would no doubt have gon
for Wilson. The sentiment that eX
listed for Wilson in Ohio was ais
manifest in Indiana, but enoug
workers" were hired" in Indiana t
bring the state into the Hughes co
umn.
Those in charge of the Hughe
campaign made 1t simply cold-blooC
ed mercenary proposition. They III
ured that certain states were sure
go for Hughes, and simply went abol
hiring" enough workers" in othC
states to produce the number of ele
toral votes needed to put Hughes o
er But for their miscalculation {
the strength of the Wilson Bentimel
in western states, normally Repub
can, the trick would have been tur
ed.
That Senator Pomerene may
successful in accomplishing the Ell
he has In mind, is greatly desire
that there may not be repetiti'
OF the scandal In Indiana and 9th
states
II the Anti-Saloon League were
purge and purify itself, 1t might NAL
greater headway In it's prohibiti'
propaganda. As long as 1t continu
To be an ally Of the Republican par
and engages in a warfare upon Del
Ocrats, It cannot expect TO secu
general support for its moyemeI
During the recent campaign in on
IL fought such Democrats as Wilso
Cox Pomerene and Ashbrool, wl
would not bend their knees to Il
AntiSaloon League. Then also, the
are people who have no use for :
looms who question the sincerity
the AntiSaloon League and Will Il
accept it's leadership for prohibiti'
That organization has furnished fl
incomes for many men, and with p
hibition established their occupati
would be gone, but perhaps III
would have a fat enough bank
count by that time to be satisfied.