The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1891-04-10
THE LOBBY.
The Imperative Necessity Of Suppress ing
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To the Editor Of the Herald. In the public
Inind-the intelligent public mind-the closing
days OF the present General Assembly have pro-
duced profound impression. siraply state
the facts without imPugning motives. The rev.
enue bin which was reported, and in the discus
sion in the House, seemed to be sustai ned by the
majority, is by the entire country negarded-and
can only be resarded-as hostile 70 all corporate
industries, except the railroads. This bill. its
Introduction by committee, after long and
private consultation. in which the Comptroller
but not fellow members only was taken into
the secret, has quite alarmed all who have capi-
tai Invested in Industrial enterprises. Looking
at it LON their standpoint It is bill to cripple
and 'eak down rather than to tax these indus
tres. They cannot believe that mere purpose
10 raise revenue would be to.tued into such
deadly enmity to the industries which, in the
past have contributed so mach to the statecoun-
ties and towns. Among the prog tessiye people
or the state the threatened danger is emphasized
by the remembrance that two years ago Tennes-
see Industries we're only saved from destruction
at the last moment of the session by conference
comm ice. Tbs hostility to money-capital
Invested in industrial ea.erp- ises-becomes
doubly alarming in view of the fact that this
same legislature has alter many tests not only
81 yed and accepted out Of this hostile poIcy-the
railroads, but in every instance when the ques-
tion was between the 70 road mOnopolies on
one side AID the shippers On the other. II the
ma Gritty has stood by the railroad without
siagle break on any vote. The distinction made
between the enc great monopoly-ior in Tonnes
see all the roads are practically resolved into
one vast trJs and The small corporations COM
pstiug with each other becomes more repugnant
and startling fact when we remember that these
small industrial enterprises have during the en-
tire session had no "friend at COURT while the
railroad lobby has been as prompt in its atten-
dance every morning as the chaplain that prayed
for the member. The purpose Of this commune
cation is to bring before the public the impera-
tive necessity of prompt and decided action, with
a view Of suppressing in Tennessee this railroad
lobby. For many years this railroad lobby has
controlled all railroad legislation. This will not
be denied by any well informed 1ennessean.
These professional lobbyists, at every session of
the legislature, are brought to Nashville from
different parts Of the state-brought it is belieYed
on the railroads ald kept at the hotels during
the entire session without charge to themselves.
These gentle men, it is not supposed by me, bride
members Of the legislature. They simply
brought here, their expenses are paid and they
are in some way compensated for their influence
in controlling members on all questions where
the interests OF the railroads are involved. The
success has been due to the shrewdness of the
gentleman always kept at Nashville as comman-
der of the lobby forces, and especially in his
judgment in selecting men in different parts of
the state with influence and address sufficient
to control their respective delegations. After
long observation, 1t can now be said that so far
as railroad legislation-the protection of the
masses against this growing pow0r-is concerned,
the lobby is omnipotent tits now an establish
ed TACT that the personal influence of the trained
lobby, selected from all parts of the state and
their labors directed by skillful manipulation,
always on the ground, is more than a match for
an average Tennessee legislature. The average
Tennessee legislator is innocent and unsuspect-
ing, and while he would resent a bride, he is
captured by friendships and favors shown him
by railroad officials, but more especially by the
powerful arguments Of some influential gentle
man from his section of the state. These inlu-
ences, in every instance for many years, have
in cTystalizing balance of power in
the legislature as absolutely certain to vote for
the railroad. in all attempts to protect the ship
per as the president Of the road would if in the
body. Hthis lobby is not suppressed, what is
going TO be tn result? That sooner or later de-
mOralization viii reign supreme, and finally
bribery as a means of accomplishing an end, viii
as certainly take place as that filth viii pOllute
a stream Of water. The public mind, unless he
roic measures are resorted to, win, for time,
be nauseated and rebel, but the disease viii be-
come chronic, affecting alike every vital part Of
our social and political organism. The spread OF
a dreadful cancer, first affecting the adjacent
tissues then the whole body, by poisoning the
blood, IS not more certain than general democrat
ization from continued legislative lobbying. Be-
coming used to it, some fall in with 1t, others,
upon the principle Of fighting the devil with Gre
enter the field for an open fight for legislative
favors, and, when this shall be the the brib-
cry viii begin. Bribery in one department of
the government will extend to the others; that
this is the rock on which every state in this IN
ion ,.and our fedora! system as well must go down
e the splendid fabric our fathers built is ever
wrecked, no intelligent man can doubt Satisfy
. intelligent man that legislation on great and
vital question is always controlled by the lobby,
and you have at once created a doubt in his
mind 10 the propriety Of free government,
even when it is controlled by the presence and
personal efforts Of the lobby without bribery.
But let that man see, as he must see in the near
future if this power is not suppressed that mon
ey is the ruling power at the ballot box; that it
brides state, county and city officials; that it |
elects United States Senators; that it is the pow
er N congress; and finally, tina: judges and cab
met officers have fallen before it, and that man
81 rs at once, give me monarchy. These refec-
liohs iotted down with the purpose of appeal
ing to the masses, and especially the young men,
o. this noble state to rise UP in one body and
suppress the railroad lobby. There are in Ten |
nessee many young men of ability, patriotism |
and courage The present legislature has devel- |
Oped several yopng men, who, in defense Of free |
government of legislation without the lobby-if |
they will at once organize and fight The lobby
before the people, instead of waiting TO fight ii
/ the legislature viii bring together body Of |
men at the meeting of the next general assembly |
before whom not one professional lobbyist will |
dare raise his head. There is no time so be lost.
The state must be canvassed. We had well |
realize the fact that the lobby is omnip potent in
legislation and can only be suppressed by arous-
1g the people, There is not young man in the /
nate who condemns and believes in the vicious
ness of the lobbying system, and who intends to
make Tennessee his home, who cannot afford to
we six moatns of his time to this subject.
A. s. CoLYAR.
Nashville, Tenn, Mich, Is, 1891.