The New York herald., 1922-05-14
NEW BILL OFFERED
FOR PURE ELECTIONS
Pomerene Adapts Regulations
of Old Act to Measure
Curing Defects.
DEMOCRATS IN CONFLICT
Sharp Differences Develop
Over Question of States
Rights Being Invaded.
Special Dispatch 10 THE New York HERALD.

! Special Dispatch 20 THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. c.. May 13.
Senator Pomerene (Ohio) introduced
a new corrupt practices bill to-day af-
fecting the selection of candidates for
Congress in the primary and general
elections which he hopes will overcome
the defects in the law declared null and
void in the Newberry case by the Su-
preme Court.
Senator Pomerene will demand early
action on his bill, which also aims to
overcome the ruling by Attorney-Gen-
eral Daugherty that under the New
berry decision Senatorial candidates
this autumn need not file any report
whatever on the amount of money spent
in either primaries or general cleo
tions.
Republican leaders blocked a demand
by Senator McKellar (Tenn.) for i'm
mediate action on his resolution amend
ing the rules of the Senate by incor-
porating the provisions of the existing
corrupt practices act.
After considerable debate the Nc
Kellar resolution and similar one by
Senator Pomerene were referred to the
Committee on Privileges and Election.
The discussion revealed sharp differ
ences of opinion among the Democrats
as to the desrabilty of amending the
Senate rules with view of trying to
prevent the use OF large sums of money
by Senatorial candidates. Senators
Robinson CArk.) and Williams (Miss.)
n cd cf1rI aafiOn would ViOlata
States rights and prove highly dan
gerous by affording an unscrupulous
majority an opportunity to deny to
States their constitutional right or
equal representation in the Senate.
Senator Williams argued that it was
unfair and unwise to say to a candi-
date for the Senate from the Empire
state that he could use no more money
in his campaign than a candidate In
small State like Delaware"
Senator King (Utah) also suggested
to his colleagues that they should be
careful about Congress appropriating
power that ought to be exercised by the
States.
IF there should be corruption the
Senate has the right to expel,"
pointed out.
Il wonder if the Senator will trust
the people of Michigan to be honest and
fair in the election of Senators?' Sena-
tor Mcclellan asked.
II have no doubt OF the corruption
In the Newberry election" Senator King
replied. but 1 shall not indict the
whole people of that State
"I am exceedingly anxious" said Sen
ator Ponlerene, that we shall not leave
the law in its present uncertain state
think it is reflection on Congress
that there should be no regulations
which might seek to meet the situation
After discussing the corrupt prac-
tices act Of 1911 and the recent letter
of the Attorney-General to the effect
this act would not be effective with re-
spect to the election Of Senator's Senator
Pomerene said:
Now the question is. was the cor
rupt practices act. which applied TO the
election of Senators by the Legislatures
broad enough so as to embrace
method of election by popular vote,
which was adopted subsequently thereto.
"Of course every lawyer realizes that
presents a very interesting question.
seek now to avoid that objection by