Evening star., 1934-09-30
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star

The cry OF lavish and improper use
of money in American elections has
been perennially heard,
Oampalsn and fifty years ago it was
n. raised to high pitch in
oneS' the Cleveland Blaine
campaign. The Star of October 4,
1884, says:
1T is admitted on all sides that the
use of money in elections has enor-
mously increased of late and there are
abundant reasons for believing that
the methods in which it is employed
are injuring the political morals of
the country. Neither party can take
much praise to itself in this matter.
The maxim that one must fight fire
with fire. finds ready acceptance
among politicians and their cam
paigns are largely managed on that
basis.
There are signs, however, that this
sort of work may be pushed to an ex-
treme that will bring a reaction. Take
the case of Ohio as an illustration.
1t Is charged that the Republicans have
set out to spend million dollars in
that State if thought necessary to
carry it in the October election. The
Democrats have also made arrange
ments to spend enormous sums on
their side. According to the New
York Times, which would not be like
ly to misrepresent this matter in favor
Of the Republicans, Mr.. Tilden has
contributed $4,000, Mr.. Flower S50,-
900, Mr.. Cammack $25,000 and August
Belmont S25,000 for use in the pend
ing election in that State. These fig
ures may be exaggerated, but they in
dicate how costly elections are grow
ing.
Now as In a close and important
election both parties may be expected
to collect and spend about the same
amount of money and use 1t in about
the same way. it follows that the nat
ural equilibrium of forces Is not dis
turbed. The efforts balance and the
State goes about as 1t would any way.
The only result in that case is the
| fun of an exciting campaign and the
degradation of the suffrage to a
money basis.
In view Of these facts, it is said
that by agreement between the poll
ticians Of both parties, the State elec-
ton law in Ohio is to be so amended
that hereafter the election will be
held in November. Both sides have
had enough Of the luxury of holding q
double campaign every presidential
year and are willing therefore to fol-
low the example of Indiana and set
the time for electing the State ticket
to correspond with the presidential
election. Such a change would be
made to simplify and purify the ma
tional contest
Some police activities irritated the
citizens half q century ago, even as
When Does Pup ent. @ The Star
Become a Dog' Is 1884, ost prints the y,
following letter from q reader:
"The police are carrying their raid
on dogs to ridiculous extent. have
q woolly bundle of little pet who
wears tag so deeply buried in her
ruff that neither it nor the collar can
be readily seen. Our alert policeman
called to threaten the impounding Of
this animal, although she always duly
carried her tax receipt about with
her. Our disappointed a. p, having
hard that the aforesaid woolly bundle
had recently Uttered, again called to
ask for the tax on a pup two days
after its eyes were open. He was in
formed of the youth of the untaxed
subject, but still returned to the
charge. The poor little puppy died
today. A few hours afterward our
Ia. p. again presented himself on the
same errand. Now is not this absurd?
A pup should surely be allowed time to