San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1885-04-23
NO. 49,.

calendar clerk of tho senate who
rustles among tho senators in his en-
deavors 10 control their votes. He
is the only Hebrew attache Of either
house and never fails to levy tribute
from the lobbyist I,tisnv
II is evident that Texas solons are
determined TO put stop to this levy
ing Of tribute from tho lobby. Clerks
will now understand they must de-
pend ON their salaries for their sor-
vices, and not like the sleeping car
porter. rely on '.pickings" and per-
quisites from outsiders. ..jr ...4
l once heard railroad official say
that one-fourth OF the bills introduced
into the legislature, that were inimical
to and restricted corporations, were
not introduced with view Of final
passage for the benefit of the country,
but were introduced for the sole pur-
pose of inviting the corporations to
tickle them under the chin, " and
at the Same time demonstrate to their
constituents that they were anti-cor-
poration men and were determined
at all hazards to protect the interests
of the country. Such men generally
take advantage of the popular preju-
dice prevailing against ''bloated cor
porations"and tho moneyed capitalists
and ride into Office mainly on that
hobby. Once seated, it is next in Or
der for tho statesman to draw up
humber of severe anti-corporation
bills, and by shrewd system Of ad-
vortising get the newspapers to set
forth the merits OF tho bills in fam
ing head lines--of course as q mat
ter of information to the public. This
accomplished, they patiently await
the approach of the lobby who are
interested in the passage or suppress
sion of the bills.
If the lobbyist by argument and
shinplasters succeeds in converting
the legislator and convinces him he is
in the wrong, said legislator ''stands
corrected and returns to his constitu-.
ents where he complains he was handi-'
capped by the "mugwumps' and
"mossback" politicians who prevented
him from passing his anti-corporation
bills, he labored so faithfully to have
passed. E
In the case of tho "Bucket Shop
bill one of the clerks endeavored to
get Galveston News reporter to
paint the bill in glowing colors with
headlines, ostensibly as o
matter of public interest; but whose
real object was to frighten the Bucket.
Shop" men. But the News reporter
lidnt bite worth cent and refused
10 notice the bill at all Who was
ibis reporter? Was it the veteran
'tenographer O'Leary, or his partner
Wheless Or could it have been
Jimmie Thorton of the senate? He
s brick, whoever he is, and with
Representative Fisher, deserves the
hanks of the people for giving this
natter to the public through the
News.
In Washington this system Of levy
ng tribute is only only conducted
gainst those interested in the legis-
ntion but is imposed on the poor un-
ophisticated fellow who seeks o posi-
ion under the government. Hap
'ening there few weeks since met
ute number of old acquaintances.
rom Texas who held various positions
round the capitol. They were very
ind and showed me around the
introducing me to the vari-
us attaches and loafers.
Having had some experience around
ublic bodies 1 "precipitated to the
acket" at once. The modus operan-
i is the same as Legislature, but on
much larger scale of course.
These loafers took it for granted 1
ad come to Washington, like hun
reds of others, seeking Office under
he new administration.
One fellow evidently seemed to
nticipate my movements and told
le of a place recently vacated bya
oung man on account Of sickness,
'ho was n republican and would not
old the place under n now admins
alton; but If 1 did not know the
pes and haze considerable con-
ressional backing 'twould take sew
nj hundred dollars to obtain said
ssition.
Despite my assertions that / Was
d after Office / bad several such
nts thrown out for my benefit bat
was equal to the emergency and dis
aged as much cheek as they did and