The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1920-03-01
DEMOCRATS
HAVE THE LAUGH ON
REPUBLICAN MEMBERS

Washington, Feb 27-Southern
members of Congress who were here
in 1911 cannot help smiling when they
read the reports from Michigan.
where Senator Turman H. Newberry
and his. hackers are being tried for il
legal conspiracy to nominate the dis
tinguished multi-millionaire for his
present legislative position.
Hasty readers are apt to jump at
the conclusion that the matter now
before the Michigan courts is the cleo
tion of Senator Newberry. That is
not the case. The present trial is on
the charge Of conspiracy to violate the
campaign publicity and corrupt prac-
tices act in the Republican primary
election at which the wealthy Sena-
tor was nominated. The first impor-
tant test of the law, therefore, comes
in Republican primary in a rock
ribbed Republican State.
Circumstances Recalled.
The bill which resulted in the pres
ct law regulating expenditures in po-
litical campaigns for federal Offices
and requiring publicity as to such eX
penditures, was passed by a Demo-
cratic House in 1911. AS the House
sent the measure to the Senate, it ap-
piled only to elections. The Senate,
at that time Republican, amended the
bill so as to make it include pri
maries.
There was hot fight over the
amendment, but it was finally ac-
cepted by an overwhelming vote. Fair
ness dictates the statements that most
of the Democrats, as well as nearly
all of the Republicans, supported the
amended measure or the roll call, but
the intensity of the struggle is not
properly reflected in this result In
the House, where the debate was
warmest, there were only twenty
seven votes against the bill as it
came from conferences, and twenty
five of those votes were cast by
Southerners. The two adverse North
ern votes were divided between the
parties. One was that of Republican
Representative Samuel w. Mccall, OF
Massachusetts, afterwards governor
of that State, and the other was con
tributed by Representative Martin w
Littleton, Democrat. of New York
who is now of counsel for Senator
Newberry in the Michigan conspiracy
case.
Sample of G. 0. p. Argument.
A good illustration of the Republi-
can argument for including primary
elections in the scope Of the act is
found in the following quotation from
one of the speeches delivered in favor
of the conference report by Repre-
sentative Olmsted, Of Pennsylvania
one of the Republican conferees,' who
was answering objections presented
by Representative Bartlett, OF Geor-
gia
Upon that side of the House gen.
tlemen from districts where there is
no contest in November, where it all
occurs at the primary, have been
clamoring for publicity along with
the rest. But they seem to want II
only in spots-in Republican spots.
Now, if we are to have a publicity
bill at all, we want a publicity Dill
that applies to the whole country
North, South, East and West-Where
ever a Congressman or Senator is to
be elected.
LET me show you how it works. |
have known a gentleman to occupy
the position of minority leader on TINS
floor in three Congresses. His dis
trict had a population of more than
200 1000. He received less than l,5oo
votes at the general election but there
having been no votes against him. ne
was triumphantly elected. There was
no contest in the general election and
of course the expenses to report. y
publicity bill that did not apply to the
primaries would not afford any publ
city in a district like that