The Grange advance., 1874-02-04
Lobbyists and Legislators.

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Lobbyists and Legislators. .
The system of lobbying which prevails
SO generally in our National and State Leg
'slatures is one Of the most prominent and
poisonous fungus growths of corruption
that has ever fastened itself upon our in
! stitutions. The only business of the lob
by'st is to procure special legislation in
favor Of some corporation, or corporations,
! or private individuals. 1t is well under,
stood between him and his employers that
he is to use any and every means by which
he can influence the vote of legislator,
provided that in all money transactions the
cash be placed where it will do the most
good. He is always man Of experience
and ability, and thoroughly familiar with
human nature. While the legislator is
serving his constituency at from five to ten
dollars per day, the lobbyist gets from fifty
to five hundred per day. He is thus stim-
ulated to make every possible effort in
prosecuting his work. He is there for one
special purpose, and to that he devotes his
whole time, and his employers money when
necessary.
While the people in selecting their rep
resentatives are fighting over the question
of politics, the corporations in selecting
their lobbyists look only to the fitness,
ability, and qualifications of their men.
While the people vote for a candidate sim
ply because he is u Republican or Demo-
crat, the Monopolists only inquire, is he
the best man to handle that legislature
One man selected upon the latter principle
is generally worth, about dozen chosen
upon the former, and thus it is that one
lobbyist has about as much influence as
dozen Legislators, although he is not men,
Der Of the body and has no voice or vote in
its proceedings.
When will the people learn wisdom from.
their oppressors When will they select
men on account Of their fitness, qualifca-
tions and integrity, irrespective of the mis-
erable question Of politics When will
they cease to be the slaves Of politicians,
and rise to the dignity Of freemen? Have
we not yet had enough of this thing? Let
us not deceive ourselves, let us understand
that until we select our rulers upon the
principle Of fitness, ability and integrity,
we must bow our necks to the yoke, and
grovel under the rule Of politicians, corpor-
ations, and monopolists, who are wiser in
their day and generation than we are.
We are in receipt of letter from Secre-
tary Paist, setting forth the action of the
State Grange on the question Of official or
gan. We regret that it came too late for
insertion this week. We will publish it in
full next week.
Geo. Parsons and wife, J. s. Denman
and William Paist and wife will attend the
National Grange in st. Louis. VIM. Paist
and wife intend taking southern tour after
the meeting of that body, hoping thereby
to benefit his health which is very delicate.
bill has been introduced in the House
by Mr.. Williston to locate the Inebriate
Asylum at Red Wing. In view of the pass
age of the bill we notice quite number in
course of training for position therein, but
that these persons may be prepared for
disappointment we would remark that there
are something less than fifty bills intro
duced or being prepared for introduction
for its location at other points However,
there will be chance for boarders where
ever located, only you may have to be torn
away from familiar haunts