The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-04-08
Ghe 9ailg Arsns,
The Railroad Lobby at wash,ng,on

Q
The operations, the management. or,
the discipline of the powerful lobhv wh;ol l
the Central Pacific and the Union paa;s,
ooIpoIat 40 have organized and kept act
so az Washington since the meeting O
oonsiess, nave attracted comment from
most OF the leading newspapers not subsi
oizea In their interest. The chief bushes,
OF that lobby has been to prevent anv leo
lslaelon ADVERSE to these mighty monopoles
ana especially to defeat the moderate hil
OF the Judiciary committee of the senate
Which only exaets twenty-five per cent al
tnelr net earnings, as sinking fund to re-
pay tne government. the advances of can;.
TAI and interest. which already aggregate
an enormous sum that is wear bv saar
swelling in millions, y seal
These sinister influences have at leo. h.
come so audacious as to arrest the atton,;or
OF the senate, and to provoke cr;t;c;sn,
even stronger than that of the most Ont
spoken press. Two illustrations from
leaders like Mr.. Thurman and Mr. Ed-
munds. representing the Democratic and
republican parties, or rather that norton
Vi eacn winch is not suspected of corrupt
pfacuces. Will give the public fair idea of
opInions neld Dy upright senators on this
SUBJECT. La the running debate on Tues.
oay last, MIR. Thurman said
L nave seen this senate chamber filed
with the railroad lobby; I have seen the
galiaries filled; l have seen the corridors
nileo; 1 have seen the committee room be-
sieged; L have seen senators besieped at
their own houses by the railroad lobby:
out never did see one man urging legisla-
tlon hostile to these companies.
Ihls senator spoke from his personal
observation and knowledge, and in terms
that admit of no ambiguity. He might
nave ia gone further than he did, but Mr..
Edmunds, who followed him, filled the
gaps In way that cannot fail to impress
the country. His experience was stated In
the following words -
l have seen the officers of the compa-
nles in this very Senate Chamber on the
day bill was to be up, distributing their
passes with an ostentatious impudence
that was amazing. hope that it did not
effect any Senator; suppose it did not. |
have seen fifty cents line paid to effect
legislation IN the editorials of newspapers.
That is very small price now, That was
In old times. L suppose the present edi-
torlals are paid Tor at rather higher prices.
But we shall find out by and BY, bv an
inquiry if the two Houses are willing to
direct lt-and perhaps the present Govern
ment directors may be able to look after Il
a little-how much money has been Maid
by these companies to protect their rights.
as they call it, at this present session Of
Congress; mot to any Senator or member of
Congress beg everybody not to misunder
stand me-but to pursue everybody to his
house and appeal to his personal friendship
for this director or that director, to appeal
TO his interest IN protecting his constituent
Whe sold some bonds or some other thing.
to excite his prejudice, to mislead his
judgment; everything that goes to make
unjust influence upon legislation may have
taken place to greater or less degree"
Alter these strong and unequivocaI
declarations by two of the foremost Sena-
tors, 1t Is difficult to see how an inquiry bv
Congress can be avoided. They have de-
scrlbed hegeneral lobby with fidelity, but
with barely delicate and suggestive re-
terence by Dir. Edmunds to its most i'm
nortant element on the floor of the Senate.
When Senators are free from any connec-
ton with these corporations, receive no
passes, do not act as counsel for them. and
are under no personal obligations for
favors, the lobby will be powerless, and
not before.
Mr.. Edmunds criticism of the press had
probably direct allusion to the unanimity
with which the papers at Washington sup,
port the Railroad bill reported by Stanley
Matthews from HippIe-Mitchelr commit
tee. Having no constituency behind them,
they are not likely to exert much influence
on Congress. Jay Gould did not exhibit
his usual sharpness Ii that investment.
N. /. Sun,