Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-04-08
POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS

When we have made political cam
paigning more expensive because Of
the primary under which the candi-
date is forced to incur expense, and
when the honor Of public Office is not
as great as formerly, there arises a
proper demand for restrictions to the
size Of campaign contributions. With
money more essential to political
success than ever before the alterna-
tive to the large contributions seems
to be universal small contributions,
and how may these be secured?
In a recent address Senator Borah
said:
II recognize that venality in public
place is the most subtle. the most
elusive. and one of the most deadly
foes with which a people who seek
10 govern themselves have to con-
tend. But I also recognize, / think l
know, that the American people,
when aroused. when warned, have
both the capacity and the courage to
purge the nation of the sinking,
secret, sordid enemy which has been
at work In our midst.
1--WE should not for a moment lose
faith in the ability of the people to
govern. They can, and they will.
cleanse their government They can,
and they win vindicate the faith OF
the fathers and justify the principles
of government upon which they built.
Through constitutional and law
full means, with due regard for order
ly methods under government OF
law, but in searching and remorse-
less fashion, let us make the hour Of
reckoning n memorable one. The
days through which we are passing
are the agony. but they may also be
made the glory Of truly great and
governing people"
He isn't obsessed with the notion
that the country is venal. He knows
that 1t Is not the intention Of the
party receiving big contributions to
sell its birthright; he doesn't attempt
to show that all the political favors
and appointments granted to the
large contributors are necessarily
corrupt. Some who have had the
ability to accumulate wealth have
also accumulated a kind OF wisdom
useful in public service. nor Is there
any certainty the one. who otherwise
might receive the favor. the appoint
ment Of distinction for instance.
might prove more acceptable in
point Of service. He does see. how
ever, the effect on the public mind
arising from such n practice and his
conclusions are logical and deserve to
DO needed.
There Is no curse in government
like ours more to be dreaded than
vsnality. Racine was radically
wrong when he said: without
money honor IS nothing but mall
ady." Juvenal's was the correct es-
innate: believe 1t to be the great
est Of all infamies. to prefer your
existence to your honor. and for the
sake Of life to lose every inducement
to live" unless the life Of swine be
sufficient inducement. We do not in
suit the race by assuming It is.
And so are we ready to protest
against the big contributions, protest
against certain men and interests
making up the huge deficits. which
seem to be unavoidable? The prac-
tice il confined to no political party.
People have come to accept 1t as the
only way and the impression deep
ems that the honor OF the party and
the places in the government are
really for sale to the highest bidder.
In that frame Of mind how do we ex-
pect to keep up the public morale.
how establish in the pubiic's eyes the
honor Of place and position? Why
continue TO permit the rich to pay
the political bills while We play the
part Of "pikers" expecting something
for nothing and whining over the
Teapot Domes7 It's our country, our
party, our government and the bur-
den 10 upon all OF us. And what
other conclusion may we get than
that Of Borah:
81 venture to believe that so long
as the present system and standards
prevail in American politics. regard
less Of party, you will have condi-
tions no less deplorable than those
which now confront US"