The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1917-01-18
The PEOPLES FORUM.
The Problem of Electoral Corruption
Has Been Common In Every Stat
But Have rlet 1; Only Partially.
Says Hr RalSton

have met it as Mary land has. partially
and incOmpleteIy. One or two have
given it comparatively radical treat
ment, as for instance, Oregon and
North Dakota. From the experience
and legislation of all Of them, however,
important lessons are to be drawn in
the respects as to which our Maryland
legislation is defective.
A candidate for office is looked upon
as a fair prey pending election for
every entertainment going on in his
county or district, and expected. sub
Jects to unwritten but certain penalties,
to contribute to them in every way.
This situation is not met at all by the
laws of Maryland, but all demands for
religious purposes except those of
usual character and pertaining to the
church to which the candidate may be-
long, and other payments of a social
character are forbidden by the laws of
North Dakota, Wisconsin, Massachu-
sets, West Virginia, Nevada, New
Hampshire, Michigan. and Alabama.
have pointed out that the employ
ment of automobiles on election day or
primary day was a thin disguise for
corruption in Maryland. Other states
control the matter. Conveyancing may
only be used to carry the i'll or lnfirm to
the polls usually those who can furnish
a physicians certifcate), in Nebraska,
North Dakota, Wyoming, Ohio, Michi,
gan, Nevada, Texas, Arizona and Cali
fornia. In a ngmber Of states expen-
ditures for conveYances are absolutely
forbidden either in express terms or by
indirection, as being omitted from the
list Of allowable expenses. Among
these are West Virginia, Oregon, Wis
consin, Kentucky and Alabama.
have called attention to the evil of
contributing to the party organization
in order to secure a nomination. Con-
tributions Of this sort are not permiss-
IDLE in North Dakota, Massachusetts,
New York, or Nevada, among other
states.
Let us turn to the matter of election
day expenses. By the laws of some of
the states already referred to such ex-
penditures are not permissible, not be-
ing among those especially allowed.
Certain other states specifically forbid
them. Aside from laws prohibiting
bribery, which laws are common to all
the states of the Union, Oregon, North
Dakota and Wisconsin, among others.
prohibit any payment for loss in at.
tending the polls or in registering. In
wyoming no person may be employed
to secure the defeat of another: in
wisconsin no payment may be made
for any service on election day, and in
Michigan, none for service on or prior
to primary day. In Florida no money
may be paid for electiOneering and in
Virginia all expenditures, except those
named in the statute, which include
none for election day, are unlawful.
California prohibits any payment for
coming to or staying away from the
polls and election day expenses are
limited to the candidates proportion
ate part of compensation to be paid to
challenges. In Oregon payment is for
hidden for loss Of time in attendance at
the polls or in registering, and payment
is forbidden Of any amount for personal
services to be performed on primary or
election day or for any purpose cor
nected Herewith tending in any way,
directly or indirectly, to affect the re-
suit, except for challengers or watch
ers.
The most effective laws covering cor
ruptions in elections are those of Ore
gon, North Dakota and Alabama, and
they de serve some special attention.
In Oregon, election day becomes as
quiet as Sunday and interference with !
the voter in the exercise of his duty and /
corruption have become practically IN
known, the particular sections in the
Act prohibiting to that end, being the !
following:
ut shall be unlawful for any person
to pay another for any loss or damage
due to attendance at the polls, or in re-
Clustering, or for the expense of trans
portation to or from the polls. No per-
son shall pay for personal services to
be performed on the day of caucus,
primary, convention. or any election,
for any purpose connected Herewith,
tending in any way, directly or Indirect
ly; to affect the result thereof, except
for the hiring of persons whose sole
duty is to act as challengers and watch
the count of official ballots.
''It shall be unlawful for any person
at any place on the day of any election
to ask, solicit, or in any manner try to
induce or persuade any voter on such
election day to vote for or refrain from
voting for any candidate. or the can
didates or ticket of any political party
or organization, or any measure sub
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