Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1930-10-16
Voters Entitled To
Know The Facts

general election and as the campaign
increases in intensity and feeling be-
cause of that nearness, rumors ant
stories about this and that canuioar,
multiply and become legion. rhes,
stories and rlmors are known-ir
practically every instance-to bt
wholly without foundation by anyone
who is really acquainted with the facts
In many instances they are manufac.
tured out of whole cloth; they are the
product of fertile imagination; their
sole object is to defeat a particular
candidate and if that particular candi-
date happens to be the possessor of a
good character, an enviable reputation
and a record of accomplishment, the
endeavor to defeat him becomes all
the more bitter. Apparently there is
no limit to what some men and women
will tell in the way of false statements
and stories. Some OF these stories are
so utterly absurd that they are really
humorous to one who knows the facts.
But they are capable of doing much
mischief in the minds of those voters
who may not know the inside facts
and the truth in the matter. For these
reasons this paper again calls the at
tention Of the voters to the common
practice of certain type of politician
to Immediately begin the spreading of
lies and transformation as soon as a
campaign starts. 1t is well for the hon.
est citizen, the citizen who likes to see
honor and craftsmanship prevail in a
political campaign-it is we'll for all
such citizens to receive with much SUI
spicion the numerous stories and ru-
mors that are now being circulated in
the Lincoln county campaign.
This paper believes in clean cam
paign. 1t believes the voters are en-
titled to the facts. 1t considers PERM
cious and dishonorable the spreading
OF false, unfounded canards. 1t is con-
fident in its conviction that at this
time there is no moral turpitude, graft
or political corruption in high places.
Then let's call halt on the dirty
stories. Let's demand craftsmanship in
political campaign as we'll as in a
football game or other contest
Again we quote briefly from ex-
President Coolidge, when he said: "A
candid, conscientious, good-tempered
discussion Of public policies is always
welcome. But - the people may
well be spared from the virulent type
of craftsmanship and personal abuse
There Is Montana law with which,
apparently, very few people are ac-
quainted- As it has to do wholly with
political campaigns it is natural that
the average citizen is unacquainted
with its provisions. Most editors are
familiar with it for the very reason
that it places drastic restrictions on
the conduct of campaign and on
what may and may not be published
1t likewise imposes vigorous punish
'ment for violation of any of those re-
strictions. Because of those punish
ments-which run into heavy fines and
imprisonment-it is highly important
that all candidates should acquaint
themselves with this act Apparently
some of them are wholly ignorant of
it. 1t is called the Corrupt Practice
Act, and for the information Of the
public and for the benefit OF some
candidates we quote briefly from it.
The act reads:
Section 10796. Any person shall be
guilty of corrupt practice, within the
meaning of this Act, if he expends any
money for election purposes contrary
to the provisions of any statute of this
State, or if he Is guilty Of the
GIVING or PROMISING TO GIVE, or
offer of any MONEY or VALUABLE
THING to any elector, with intent to
induce such elector to vote for or to
refrain from voting for any candidate
for public office, or the ticket of any
political party or organization or any
measure submitted to the people, at
any election, or to register or refrain
from registering as voter at any
State, district, county, city, town, viii
lage, or school district election for
public offices or on public measures.
Such corrupt practice shall be deemed
to be prevalent when instances thereof
occur in different election districts
similar in character and sufficient in
number to convince the court before
which any case involving the same may
be tried that they were general and
common or were pursuant to general
scheme or plan.
Section 10784. No person shall, in
order to aid or promote his nomination
or election, directly or indirectly, him
self or through any other person, prom