The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-08-27
HOW LOBBYISTS WORK.
Tho ssTipity witchety'' Club and
What 1t Was Organized To Do
Honest Men Deceived.

nnt IL was Organized To Do
Honest Men Deceived.
The methods of the Washington
lobby are almost infinite in their
variety, writes correspondent to The
Cias7nnati Commercial Gazette. From
furnishing and stocking great estab-
lishments. and running them on the
most expensive scale of open establish
ments, to the wiles of the hotel loafer,
who spots the man who comes for
office and secures S5 for supposed in
f1uence, there is wide range, which
admits Of many devices.
Recent attempts to carry out new
scheme in the interest of 3 photo-litho-
graphic establishment here which has
long enjoyed comfortable monopoly
of the government work has brought
to light the history of an organization
which for shrewdness of design, cum
ming in work and effectiveness, has
probably never been surpassed by any
OF the Vaccinations of the lobby.
This has long been known to narrow
circle as the ''Tipity Witchety" club.
1t is only recently that the real pur-
poses OF its organization have come to
light 1t was a conception of Howgate,
the great defaulter, at a time when he
was revehng in the fruits of his
robbery. He made a selection from
such congressman as he thought could
best serve his purposes. For most of
them it is just to believe that they were
totally ignorant of his plans or ulti-
mate designs. He owned the yacht
Falcon. He rented an island in the
lower Potomac. Here he erected
house OF entertainment with govern
ment material and with stolen funds.
His guests sailed and feasted and had
royal times in his secluded retreat.
Later fixed company was selected
and organized into club, under the
peculiar title already given, and the
yacht became its headquarters. This
was done under the auspices of Norris
Peters, the well-known photo-litho-
grapher, though Howgate was one of
the active working members.
The "Tipfty Witchety" club as organ
lied consisted of twenty members. 1t
is certain that only Il portion Of this
number were allowed to know its real
object. This was nothing more nor
less than to smooth the way for heavy
and continued appropriations from con-
gress, and to secure influence to obtain
and hold rs much as possible of the
government business, which amounts
annually to about S5O0,0o0.
1t is quite as certain that enough
were in the secrets of the manipuiators
to make the venture a sure one. The
support of the venal ones was doubt
less for revenue only. The assistance
OF the others when needed, especially
as all appropriations asked for could be
urged on plausible grounds, followed
as matter of course from their having
been the continued recipients of the al
most royal entertainments of Howeate
or OF Peters. The club was made up
with skill. There were men above re-
proach. whose standings in one or the
other house of congress was and al
ways has been unquestioned. These
were the selected and unconscious
shields for the hurge scheme which
they used to make respectable and adj
vance.
1t is said that the strictly honorable
section of the club were not regular at
tendants with those who were in for
business. The former class was only
taken often enough to enforce the idea
OF obligation. In this respect, as in all
others, there was the most cunning
management The discovery and
flight of Howgate caused general SEN
sation among all the members and dire
CONSERVATION among the revenue men,
bers. When he was out of the hands
of the law through his well-planned
escape, relief came to his confidential
friends in the "Iipity Witchety COM
munity."
When the Influences are sought which
still conceal and protect Howgate,
study'of the history of this club should
not be neglected. 1t sailed the Po-
:omac and the Chesapeake, and it
feasted and rested in the shades of its
river island. 1t coasted to New York.
1t entertained such congressman as the
managers thought would strengthen
its forces and advance its schemes 1t
dined frequently in the city, and its
floral displays and its table luxuries
were the wonder of all who were in
vited to the feasts. For time it revel-
W AiA PAosPClltys anu tilosc WHO nave
recently come to know of its organiza-
ton and the hold it secured on con-
gressmen no longer wonder at the ease
with which those who organized it long
since secured a practical monopoly Of
the vast government work of the class
they were seeking.
Ihe patent Office, with its great
work, is in their hands, and there has
been sufficient influence to practically
shut out from competition nearly all
the firms of the country capable of do
ing this very extensive and lucrative
| work.
When Howgate was in charge of the
signal service and its printing of maps
| and other charts there was an immense
profit. The degree of monopoly now
secured effects the same result, and
though the club is no longer an active
organization. its remaining members
still enjoy excursions and dinners at
the hands of those who have so richly
| profited and who still profit most gen
erously from this monopoly.
A glance at the membership of this
noted creation of the national lobby
will throw further light on the subject
which is partially discussed above.
Those familiar with congress and with
Washington will see at glance how
men who are above suspicion were,
without their knowledge, made to do
duty for lobby purposes among several
who have always been recognized by
men On the inside as the secret support.
ers of rings and jobs. These latter
were tho active workers in the Tipity
Witchety club, and the cunning pro-
moters OF its revenue schemes.
In the cabin Of the Howgate- Peters
yacht hung large frame containing
the photographs Of the members of the
club. The title Of each member was