The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-22
rho Art of Lobbying,

Tx debating the probability of the defeat or
passage Of any proposed measure before Con-
gress, II Ia noticeable that the question Of
merit Is secondary one. 1t is not said that
the proposition is good, and therefore will
succeed. II seems to matter little whether
Justice was or was not on the side of the pro-
posed law. The issue Of its success hangs on
the fact whether 1t is supported by good
lobby. Now, let as look at the great system
of lobbying as praotised in this country, and
see what constitutes that peculiar process.
The lobby derives its name from the ante
room To the halls Of legislation, In which
Its members are compelled to wait, or
rather to lie in wait, for passing Congress
men. Its secret of success Is the device OF
boring, worrying, bribing, and arguing with
them; and through this practice they
attempt to convince the lawmakers that
all the schemes proposed for the public good
the one in which they are interested is pecu-
liarly the best. So universal has this system
become that it has been said that the lobby il
essential to the passage of every bill. We
can imagine lobby which would be allowable
In honesty, if not in decency. II, for instance,
its members were to attempt to convince
solely by argument, and to seek in legiti-
mate manner, through their acquaintance with
the Legislators, to influence their minds, their
course would be Objectionable on the ground
Of courtesy and gentlemanly feeling, but not
positively wrong. But such is not the line Of
policy adopted by the lobby. 1t will not bribe,
hrk nil mt
the members, and then seek to convince the
doubling by feeding and wining, if not by posi-
tive payment of money.
SuOh mode of convincing legislators is not
limited to Washington. 1t is found in HT-
risburg and in Philadelphia. 1t is adopted
towards Congressman, legislators, and Coun-
oiimsn. Against it no denunciation is too
severe. ia measure is proposed which is right
then 1t should stand on its merits. If it is
found that the body is going to defeat it be-
cause it is not supported by the lobby, then
let 1t be defeated. The result would be soon
apparent. AS quickly as the lawmakers be-
come convinced that they could not succeed
In gaining the corrupt devotion Of the hangers
on around the halls Of legislation, they would
cease TO judge of measure by its lobby sup
port, and would begin to look at the merits of
the case proposed. While few good and
judioious measures might be defeated at first
for the want of the usual support, yet in very
short time the wholesystem would be broken up,
and the honest member look with suspicion at
every bill which had to resort to such means
Of gaining success. II, for instance, local law
be needed, and the assent of the Legislature
requested, let it not be supported by host of
lobby lists, but let it stand alone after it is we'll
explained, and succeed or fall on its merits
The same. Is true of Councils. When the
question OF paving and grading comes up, lstit
NOT be influenced by the wishes OF an anxious
contractor, but let it be tried according to the
wishes of the owners of property, and let tn 3,
verdict be as the merits of the case demand
We hope the day is near when the lobby will
become thing OF the past, and law making
bs purified of its most oorrup:ing sljuuct.