Corrupt And Illegal Practices

A British act of 18S3 and supplements forbid certain acts in connection with Parliamentary elections, chiefly bribery, treating, undue influence and personation. Such acts are made criminal offences aud may be ground for the loss of the seat if brought home to the candidate personally or through his agent. If by bribery, etc., it appears that the electorate did not really express its will, the election may be declared void. Certain practices are declared illegal, such as payment for the conveyance of electors to or from the polls, paying an elector for the use of his property, paying agents other than those specified in the act, and making a false statement as to the personal character or conduct of a candidate. In certain cases the penalty to the candidate may be disqualification forever from serving for the constituency in question, and, for seven years, from serving for any other constituency. 2 Steph. Com. (15th ed.) 463, 476. This subject has more recently attracted much attention in the United States, and acts are being passed on the subject, but it cannot be said that the ground is fully c6vered. Among such acts are those requiring candidates to file, immediately after election, a statement of expenses incurred. In some states, the state treasury assumes certain nomination expenses. See State Assumption of Expenses, 23 Yale L. Journ. 158, by Simeon E. Baldwin.