Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1917-01-11
Abolishina the Vote Market.
(St. Louis Post-Dispatch.l

(St. Louis Post-Dispatch.t
The new bill for the extirpation Of
corrupt practices in elections 10 dras-
tic, almost savage, In its provisions,
but the situation 1t 10 designed to meet
demands heroic remedies.
It's most interesting feature. per-
haps, is one limiting to $1,000 the
amount of the contribution from any
one individual or source. How this
provision alone would be sufficient to
effect q large reduction in the swollen
campaign funds Of the pas: can be
seen by = glance over the list OF 1916
Republican campaign contributors.
However, q further limit makes it il.
legal for any national committee to
receive or expend sum in excess OF
one and one half cents for each per-
son in the total population Of the
United States.
On the basis OF the present number
C. inhabitants this would give each
J. ional committee a maximum Of
,vut 81, 100000. Had it been in ef-
i.ct in the past campaign, the Re
puolicans would have been compelled
to content themselves with a round
million LEES than they actually laid
out and probably there would be no
present demand for an inquiry as to
the improper financial influence in
the election.
A radical provision OF the bill deals
with newspaper publicity. The clause
prohibiting newspapers from dis
eliminating among parties in the ac'
ceptance OF political advertisements
requir .ng them, If they accept any
advertise me nts of the sort, to accept
all OF unobjectionable language that
may be offered--is in accord with the
best standards OF present day journal
nalism. But this is matter that
should not he controlled by law
There are other provisions OF ques-
tionable wisdom. One would make
it unlawful for newspaper. except
under arbitrarily prescribed and per.
haps irksome conditions, to avail it,
self Of the judgment on political prob
lens OF experts not regularly em-
pioyed on its staff.
The penalty for offending news
papers is suspension tor 80 days from
the privileges of the mails. How such
apower placed in the hands of postal
officials Of perhaps strong partisan
views might BIZ abused is easy to be
seen. For an unintentional or per-
haps only technical violation Ut the
bill on the part OF subordinate em-
ploye in newspaper Office, a news.
papers circulation might be restrict
ed to such part of the public as was
not reached through the mails.
Powerful journals Of public opinion,
defending public rights and preroga'
tives with such energy as to make
themselves obnoxious to administra.
tion agents and sympathizsrs, mi ght,
ut the very height Of a campaign, find
their facilities Of wholesome publicity
curtailed until after election. The
passing of the party organ and the
higher plane on which the political
discussions Of the press are now con.
Quoted may be believed to render such
detailed provision in the management
Of papers unnecessary. ts.
Several states now have corrup,
practices acts differing widely in their
provisions. Many states have no act
Of the sort. Candidates for the Sen.
ate and the House have In some
states a latitude in expenditure not
accorded colleagues in other states.
One Of the merits Of the proposed
projected Federal law is that II stand.
ardizes all requirements on the sub.
ject and places all candidates on the
same footing.