Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1920-05-26
EMERY ISSUES
STATEMENT
Answers Critics of Corrupt
Practices Act Fathered by
Him in 1902 and Forces
New Issue.
WOULD MAKE ACT
WITH REAL TEETH
When Other States Limit Ex-
penditure for Political
Purposes, Vermont Ought
to Do So.

OnQ0T 1nOAIpCliC1 oeSS AAAAS
May Is, the state papers carry the
following: :.
&C. S. Emery of Newport, candi-
date for the Republican nomination
for governor, and author of the much
discussed Corrupt Practices act, when
shown several editorials from Yer
mont newspapers to the effect that
he had stated that it was violation
of this law to employ political ad-
vertising, said today:
Il have never stated that this act
makes it crime for candidates to
employ political advertising. That
is a matter for the courts to deter
mine.
TT is true that I drafted, intro
duced, and advocated the passage OF
this measure, In the senate OF 19UZ,
in substantially the form in which
the law now stands, and i do not for
one moment desire to avoid the res
possibility. i,
In doing so, did not have in mind
the matter of political advertising as
| it is now generally understood.
Il frankly admit that 1t was my
object, and / believe the intention OF
the legislature to restrict the use of
money in political campaigns, or at
least put the stamp of legislative dis
approval upon such practices.
We had but recently passed
through a governorship contest in
which it was known that very large
amount of money had been used, and
to the scandal of the state which had
never attempted in any way to reg
ulate it. The legislature was IN a
frame of mind to do something and
it passed this bill and it was signed
NJ 1l orb IF no
that it was not well drafted, and
ought to have covered a larger field.
have since been convinced that the
act should have placed a reasonable
limit on campaign expenses OF all
kinds. With the great state of Mich
igan placing a limit of $3.50, and the
federal government making S1O,-
900 limit for such expenditures, the
reported declaration of some Yer
mont candidates at this time, in our
little state, looks like the necessity
for real corrupt practices act, one
which will enable a poor man as well
as the rich one to enter the field for
the governorship, or for any other
Office, and on equal terms. Any law
which fails to insure this, strikes at
the very root of our supposed equal
| ity.
| TT is undeniable that a reasonable
amount of publicity, through the me-
dunn of the press, is not only pro-
per but desirable, though this even
when carried on without limit, gives
an unfair advantage to wealthy can.
didates as well as does an unlimited
expenditure in curcularizing, employ
ment of paid workers, and the var
ious other methods used in influencing
voters.
4 did not introduce this question
into the present contest, and do no
think it can fairly be claimed that
secured the passage of this law Ii
years ago for the purpose of further
ing my candidacy for state Office
at this time. 1t could hardly have
been forseen. Neither do / expect Il
invoke the provisions of the act il
, question to prevent any of my op
ponents from spending their thou
sands in this campaign, If they S,
} desire. / cannot believe, however
that any candidate upon reflection
will be willing to bring his state int
the contempt in which it will be held
by the employment of large sums o
money for any purpose, with the pres
ent temper of the public mind.
The sworn statements required b,
law to be filed by candidates within
10 days following the primary cleo
ton will become public records, an
hope will bring no discredit upo
Vermont, or the party to which the.
belong.
My acquaintance with the newspa
per men of this state leads me t
the conviction that no body of on
citizens is doing more for the upbuilo
/, ing of Vermont, or is more willing
merits than are they. Being assure
/, of this as / am, I would confidentl
! expect a general approval of NJ
]. purpose, if / am elected governor,
: secure the enactment of law to lin
it campaign expenses to point ths
e will permit any citizen to become
e candidate regardless of his wealth.