The sun., 1871-02-06


who have bought seats in the body with money
that they had plundcrcd from persons seeking
legislative relief
LOBBYISTS VINO CAN BE TRUSTED.
Correspondent-You say there are men in the
lobby who can be safely dealt with. viii you
name some Of the most conspicuous of that CLASSY
Vctcran--1 never had any reason to doubt that
Barber was a reliable man and Hugh Hastings
was rcputed to be true to lis engagements; and
it has been said that Van Vechten was disposed
to act fairly. The practice of procuring legisla-
tion by means Of money appliances works all
sorts Of mischief, and It's debasing effects extend
in every direction. The maxim Of honor among
thieves is not recognized among the uuprincipled
lobbyists. One Of the most notorious and un-
scrupulous Of the lobbymen expressed their
creed when under examination before commit
tee. al never divide" said he. A few year
age a member of an important committee of
the Assembly received the sum of twenty-f five
hundred dollars, which he named as the amount
necessary TO make his colleagues all right on
certain question but he pocketed the whole, say
ing, 81 never divide !" and from that day to
this he never did.
now TuEY DO IT.
Couespondent-IIav you any objection 10 Civ
ing in detail tine circumstances connected with
the progress Of some Of the bills which you aided
to pass9
Veteran-None IN the world on condition that
you shall only use the statement as an argument
to enforce the necessity Of greater legislative
purity, simply making your deductions from the
facts in te case. Ncwere about TO introduce an
important bin in the Senate, and in order 70 get
matters IN train, sent for gu influential member
ola certain committee.
81 wish to have some conversation with you
respecting bill which We purpose to press upon
the Legislature"
Go ahead, old fellow - said the candid SEN
aior ~ nm the easiest man in tie world TO
talk to. But dou't bother yourself about cx-
planning the merits Of the bill; for that is Of the
least possible consequence. The only question
is, how much is there in tf'
al wish to premise that while have no par
ticular respect for the Legislature have some
for myself; aud cannot taik money TO you at
all"
"Thc d-lyou can't! Then 70 away and send
somebody who can"
This concluded our negotiation. II was re-
rewcd BY another party better qualified for that
pari Of the business and the result was bar
gain by which majority Of the Committee
agreed to report the bill, recommending its pas
sage, on the following conditions; Four mem
bers were 20 be paid e., 900 apiece when the re-
port was made, and 90 900 more when IL became
a law At that time the Republicans had the
control Of the Legislature, and the Committee
consisted Of three Republicans and two Demo
crats. One of the Republicans was a man Of
integrity, and dealings were attempted With
him. The Democrats were in favor Of the bill
but they hud no hesitation in taking the money.
The Republican Chairman and his colleague. who
reported the bill to the Senate each had a., 600
Thus s20 COO was paid for favorable report be-
sides some contingent expenses.
LAYING BARE A GRKAr Jon.
Corcspondont-Ilow was it managed when
You came to the final vote?
Netorau-The Senator who reported the bill
became alarmed aud declined to vote for it, Oar
arrangements contemplated his support, and on
his desertiun we had to recruit another man.
This was work Of some difficulty as well rs deli
cacy. No Senator could change his position with
out suAjecung himself 10 injurious inputatiols.
1he Democrats were all secured, aud yet the sew
eutccnh vote was lLcSius. There were two or
three Republicans m the market. but their figures
were exorbuautly high, $4,000 was the mini
nam sum dcmandcd-$lQ oCO down and $4,000
contingent upon the bill becoming a law We
were constrained to agree to these terms at last;
$4,000 were paid 10 Republican Senator from
Long Island, who excused bis vote with consider
able ingenuity, aud said AYE" when his name
was called.
Corrcspondent--Fow much did 1t cost to pas
the bill in the Assembly,
Ncteran-Between thirty and thrty-hve thou.
sand dollars. Some fnc.n or twenty votes were
spontaneously cast for the bill on its merits, but
We paid for about Fifty at prices varying from
$50 to $1,000 apiece.
Couespoudcut-But the bill did not finally be-
come a lawy
Neterm-No. Fcnton vetoed Il on frivolous
protcxt, but the real reason was The oppreheis un
ola singing criticism from Scnctor Fcgcr, whom
he feared as political rival
iuE ISFLJENcg OF IuE GREAT ASp COOP HORACE
GREELuY.
Correspondent-l have understood that you
had some negotiations with Nj Greeley at the
time thc biz was sent to the Governor.
Veteran Greeley is very aniable man, who
can never say no To anybody He came to
Albany and saw Fnton, purely out Of Kindness,
for we never paid him a cent.
oTespondcnt-lou derived no benefit from
his intcrp0s.ton2
Ne,ersn-Nonc whatever. Its influence never
amounts to anything. lie is battered by app,ica-
tons to assist in projects Of every Kind, but he
accomplishcs nothing aMmauycly. lie is easily
imposed upon by bis political associates, and
HlNays promises perhaps in good faith, wha; he
never performs.
Cotrcspondent--Is there no remedy for tins
great cyilf Il is felony by HE statute. Cannot
the law be enforced ind wrong g-doers be pun
ished2
Nctepn-You can mover convict as the law
now stands The man who bIbes is Just as
criminal under the statute as the legislator who
receives the bubc. Modify the law so that the
lobbyman is held harmless in tostfyng against
the corrupt member, and you put stop to the
practice. lnhict ignomiuious punishment upon
a legislator Who sells his vote, and you make al
example that would go a great way in checking