The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1873-09-06


exposed to temptation. Few men
enter Office with the intention OF
being dishonest, but the tenpter
comes in one form or another, and
too often succeeds in accomplishing
his purpose. There are thousands
of honest officials throughout the
country; luen who have been tried,
who are above suspicion, who are
proof against temptation. But there
are many who have given way 10
the strain put upon them; who are
to-day in the power Of others, who
are but instruments to CARY out
the designs of men whose names
are kept in the background Few
men are purchased by direct offers
of money. Yet they are bought
and sold daily, some without being
aware, of the fact. Some crafty
schemer has bill to put through
q State Legislature. The measure
has show Of justice about it which
may commend it to favorable
hearing, yet the chances are against
its passage if left to its own merits.
The influence necessary to force it
through must be created by outside
pressure. An accomplished lobby
list is employed. He has the pow
err to engage assistance If needed.
Money is placed at his disposal.
He is left to his own disc, elton as
to how and when to use the money.
He is expected to ''put it where it
viii do the most good. the man
ner of placing it being left in his
own hands. The chief lobbyist is
gsneraly a man of perception, q
practical business man, . good
! Judge of character, who weighs his
man before he approaches him
He makes personal acquaintance
of the members he desires to oper-
ate upon. If he discovers the man
of easy virtue, who has q price, and
makes no concealment of the fact,
he buys him for SO many dollars and
cents. These purchases arc valua.
ble-they afford an inside power
to work with; they secure powerful
advocates to engineer the meas
ure through. Fine suppers are
the order of the day. Country
members discuss the merits of the
bill in question over the best cham
payne the market affords. They
eat and drink, and are won over to
the support of the bill by the
!, princely generosity of the lobbyist
They vote him a good fellow, and
accept everything as equally good
that bears his endorsement Thus
men are purchased, without any
knowledge On their part that they
have sold themselves. They would
consider it an insult, and WOULD
probably kick the lobbyist dowr
stairs if he should dare to offel
them fifty dollars for their votes
but this amount in wine steal theil
brains. muddles their good sense
| distorts their ideas of honesty, and
: transfers them, or what is better
e their services, to the crafty wir,
Q p,ller having them in charge.
y Some men that would scorn t,
take . thousand dollars by way O
a bride, take it as o loan, to be re
! turned when they please. The
i Justify it on the grounds of legitl
i mate business, but always lean t
e the support of the lender and hi
!, schemes. Some men have fine bu
: siness offers; talents unknown
. themselves are discovered BY ii,
lobbyist, and what money can nc
: do fatse,y can. Others are admit
! ted % stockholders in some payin
4 enterprise. They are thus place
= under obligations to the friend G
of friends who gave them the chanc'
lie and to deny q vote to . measur
lie which this friend is Interested
le would be gross ingratitude- 80
Thus private schemes, railroa
jobs, oppressive monopoles, an
rs questionable public measures a
R. hurried through the legislator
g much to the sstisfaction of the il
N terestel parties and disgust Of Il
TO people. We believe there is le'
9, of this work now than ever b
ID fore, but there is enough left !
w create widespread alarm. OF Ia
al years the people have kept . mo-
is, watchful eye on their public sel
wants. The dishonest ones ha'