The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1921-11-25

Massachusetts. chairman of the committee on elections. and is regard
ed by some as the prelude to a drastic action by the administration in
the attorney generals view is correct.
All restraint on the expenditure of money by a candidate for the
senate is removed by the opinion, it was declared, and the maximum
which was imposed on both senator's and representatives is destroyed.
except where the total amounts are controlled by state laws. The
maximum which may be spent for nomination aud election to the
house is now $1,000. For the senate il is $4,000. A senator will not
even be required to file a statement Of his primary expenses. the at
torney general holds. This would, however, be virtually the only
restrictions upon a member of the house.
Unless legislation replacing the invaidatons growing ont of the
Daugherty ruling is enacted before the elections next fall, there will.
be nothing to prevent the squanderhng of limilcss sums by candidates
for either the senate or house TO obtain nomination and election.
While. under what is left of the corrupt practices act. il will be re-
during campaign, there will not be even that restriction upon a
senator.
as inyalidaung all OF the provisions of the act referred to relating 10
nominations for the office of senator or representative in congress,
whether by primaries, nominating conventions or by Endorsement at
general or special elections SAID the attorney general. 81 am also of
opinion that as TO the statements of receipts and diburt ements TO be
filed by candidates for the office Of representative in congress under
Section 8 of the act, the only provision now in force ans effect is the
one which requires such statements TO be filed in connection with cleo
tin Of such candidates.
'As United States senators are not now elected by legislatures Of
the states rs contemplated in the act, it, IS my opinion that this fact in
connection with the holding in the Newberry decision makes It nm.
necessary for a candidate for United States senator to file any state.
ment whatever IN connection with his nomination or election
Under the old system Of clectIig senators by the legislatures,
which the original corrupt practices act was designed TO reach, there
was frequently corruption. II was fragrant. easily detected and
brought its own punishment upon those who profted hy il. 1t is much
easier for a corruptionist with great wealth behind him TO buy a nom.
nation N a statewide primary than il was to buy up the majority of
a legislature. 1t is much more difficult to catch the corruptionist at
tees act which will work which will recognize the enormous lcgiti-
mate demands which the most honorable statewide primary cam.
paign requires to become effective, but which will draw a firm line
beyond which Expenditures may not 20. That. obviously, will be a
somewhat difficult line TO draw. Money OUTLAY r,ouired for a per
feetly Legitimate primary campaign in Illinois would be ridiculous in
New Mexico. II VIII be found as difficult to get a fair and effective
been found difficult TO make the statewide primary work for the pub
lie welfare and better standards OF public service.