Corporations - Political Activities - Interpretation of Statute Prohibiting Political Contributions by Corporation

Defendant corporation, organized to promote the recall of Senator Joseph R. McCarthy, was charged with violating section 346.12 of the Wisconsin statutes, which prohibits corporations doing business in Wisconsin from paying or contributing any money, etc., to promote or defeat the candidacy of any person for nomination, appointment, or election to any political office. The trial court entered a forfeiture judgment against the defendant. On appeal, held, reversed. The statutory phrase "doing business" was intended to limit the scope of the prohibition to corporations organized for profit.

Corporations, such as the defendant, organized solely for political purposes are not within the prohibition of the act. State v. Joe Must Go Club of Wisconsin, Inc., 270 Wis. 180, 70 N. W. (2d) 681 (1955).