BRIBERY AT ELECTIONS,
Mr. Woollen's bill [S. 95] to punish bribery in connection with primary elections and Conventions of the people, was read the second time with a majority report recommending the indefinite postponement of the bill, and a minority report recommending passage with amendments.
Mr. COMSTOCK moved to concur in the minority report.
Mr. BELL hoped the motion would not prevail. The law knows nothing of a primary election. He page: 148[View Page 148] believed in giving the independent scratcher a chance. If we can prevent fraud at real elections it will be well enough without trying our hand at the people's primaries. No good purpose can be served by this bill, Let us legislate as against greater evils.
Mr. WOOLLEN referred to the well-known fact that money is shamefully used at primary elections. In other States there are such laws as this bill proposes, and they are very proper enactments. It is of about as much importance to prohibit the use of money at primary elections as at general elections.
Mr. HEFRON heartily favored the minority report. It is the well-known history of political affairs in this country that there is a growing tendency with candidates to secure by corrupt influences, not only their election, but their nomination. A law of this kind will restrain the use of improper influences and tend to give nominations to men of a better class than those who succeed through chicanery and bribery.
Mr. COMSTOCK--There is no question but that money enters largely into the results of primary elections, and a candidate so nominated will use the same means to secure his election.
Mr. MENZIES questioned whether the public sentiment of Indiana would enforce such a law as this would be. Bribery and corruption stalked through this State last fall, when men were bought like sheep in the shambles. He objected to putting any such law on the statute book, to be hooted at by every Ward bummer in the land.
Mr. SPANN was of opinion the law-making power should enact laws right in themselves, without reference to public opinion. If this minority report be adopted it is a step in the right direction. Any law that looks to the purification of the ballot is surely in the right direction, and will tone up the morals of the people.
Mr. BROWN was of the number who believed his neighbors and associates are abouta s honest as himself. There is no necessity for bribery in his Counties, or in the Counties in Southern Indiana where he is acquainted. He opposed the bill because it is imperfect and incomplete.
The minority report was rejected by yeas, 22; nays, 23; the Lieutenant Governor giving the casting ballot.
And then the Senate adjourned.
