New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-11-20
LEGITIMATE LOBBYING.


LEGITIMATE LOBBYING.
A SYSTEM or PROCEDURE BEFORE LEGISLATIVE
COMMITTEES NEEDED-HOw BUSINESS COULD BE
DONE THOROUGHLY AND HONESTLY.
To the Editor Of The Tribune
SIR: That our representatives at Washing
ton do give proper attention to the framing OF laws
both as regards the OF statutes and their effect upon
previous legislation and the common law is III large part
the necessary result OF the selection made by the people
of legislators who know what they wish to bring
about but the safest Of doing it, They are
men who plan TO provide for present emergencies nut 10
whom any tendency Of legislation towards adesrcd re-
su-any policy derived from the experience OF the past
miner considerations wish to call attention 10 one
startingpoint for legislative reiorncrs. hoping mat
some one who has never given thought TO the sub
feet may be disposed to consider the matter anu
suggestnew methods. This startingpont is procedure
before committees Of Legislatures" II - taken
for granted that few OF Legislatures nave settled
practice in this matter OF our books on parliament
airy practice expose system, and the book o or l.
Erskine May relating 10 the practice OF the BRUSH Iar
lament seems 10 stand alone In treating Of this subject
The subject IA 10 be considered the important when
in addition TO the increasing importance OF public meas
urea private claims for compensation and FOR projected
schemes infinite variety increase very rapidly ana are
feebly controlled by our constitutions Perhaps u Is
more difficult 10 provide for discrimination between pub
lie and private bills in this country than elsewhere Dut'
however this may be- the absolute supremacy allowed
each Le stature has in most instances compelled rs 10
submit 20 their VARYING discretion In this preliminary IN
quiry regardless of any prcccdcns or orders uIiieN'
chance gave the assistance Of some prudent ana fa
seeing Although care must he taken to give
our Legislatures much freedom possible in their
discussion and action any rules of practice that should
give to promoters and opponents Of bills proper notice OF
regularly conducted procedure by hearings or otherwise
could not fail aid and hasten much business that is now
delayed by the irI Narity that must necessarily arise
where 10 action IS taken except what results nom the
personal wishes OF committeeman or the suggestions OF
a claimant or his agent the lobbyist The opproDfl-
business Of the latter term e. not always the result OF
action who IL placed in tie unfortunate position OF
a parasite but because there u no open mttheu o pro-
noting or opposing the bills presented to committees;
or tie inducement to improper acton i ihett
and the discriminating power needed 10 lec,e WIZ. 70
upright and what is no; Is not by any means tc posses
sion of men OF ordinary sense. 80,
II il tritc enough to wtiic mat the thu holst Is
necessary evil, hut the point Is, that a. assisting 10Y
propcr system OF Instruction. 10 proierleglSoh'l may
become q necessary good. s,,.... g., 49, r o,
II is with the committeeman ont OF ms seat 10 'Ac l"S
isatiye Assembly that the lobbyist does MS mos, Strf'
able work in promoting or oppo5hT lnrasute; mu.n
can be done on tine iioor OF tie House WIN h'!l-
beers who the committee WHEN i 10 originate
the desired measure bui tile birth OF measure III IT'S
ptyc must he The result OF iHrub1iion DIP .lnlt
room NJ the lobby st 0rthe PrivaicrooS men
Why impossible tO Obgc al promoters OF oppnhen'
urescribcd form of procedure. 10 he governed ny me
same form, Of presentation and of oppostion TO be fore
orlrr and thus have melted ont toa ak" iustcef Mha
can the objection Ia requiring OF committees thai N
shall compel parties 80 petition ana prc7,n nthoti'
by regular me Ios allowing time ior answer 10 any pc
On and thus prevent the present eN piite PROMOTION
objection in committee. and which have often ben per
United to nrmbcr tine Speakers taDle' or even inc
statute bOokn the deteriing ll7i LEGISLATION,
IN, Inc other depicting the public treasury Tn plan OF
having parliamentary bar. presented by MI BoltWtu
+" the United states senate set forth in senate Bill
-entcl Jan. -, l>1j, and referred To the Jul
a ~ IL med and SIR. Eonfwc has the credit OF
having presented q bill which neither ne nor any
other senator TOOK any notice oI or cared uch M Inc
prOpo on was as Incomplete Is many oln Nii a.
offered merely to produce an lllsNe chect WITHOUT
having the earnest suppot OF Their propOsi' Ana mere
81 must br understood t.t no ul.cOl, & A.
Intended but merely this thar men VINO are uHu 40 NOT
rush violently INTO now h0ds 81 action untll the! nave
pan suggested that 1t took for Granted that these
parliamentary agents winch were to Ice created Woul
be permitted to appear before comm. - ",t w
allowed ia regular course o procedure TO present or
oppose measures AID not oiherwi>' commute OF
three members OF tho senate anu thfee ~ ,' ~,
Representatives. were to admit persons Z" M bar WHAT
ever De- supposed o 10" io near complaints anu 10
suspend or cApcl h'Ap l7 i.i l'i h''', ', ,i', ,
Ic iu.tiou of u,rOuduct" given was nor any hrhncf
The bar said tO attempt TO influence me action
OF Congress by personal conference WIN OF appears
TO any mrmhr oi Congress o. amy oIcer ILtltot
except hcicnbcore provided ttt j.. 10 apl"ar A.
attorney, before committees =" the respective ouSe-, or
al the bar ni either House whrn SP'ciiJ an oHd so
GO DO. and may charge reasonable compensation tn,ft-
fOr." The objection that TINS stetchauHc committee
rncenrr would cause delay Hy bee regarded "A trivial
In il be true which h. muc % Doe doubted. 1t IL vastly
more scTOu, 40 make laws niphaIud bY lhc hnIiituS
Imam To- uiui,h nc rilc OF tl- statute book by making
IL within the appointed time contain as feW as possible
improper laws lie development oi ystem which may
ur1y successful 10 correcting the present evils mus, De
az slow growth ttr result ~ combined cipIlr OF cdifIul
considerations legislative experience. and determined,
unsesh purpose the pai OF patriotic men ende1Yo-
ug 10 assist by every cnattiNtbic means hr tl, Ilu5
work of governing orr people IT. order that human
regular mel nod, securing strCtcr accountability must Dc
impressed upoH orr legislators. ~. NJ. HOWE.
F...I..l Ny q