The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-02

lobbyists Of the last quarter OF century,
Sam Ward, the prince, Matt Carpenter
and several others whom ] am not at lib
ersy TO name--have had his interests in
charge at yar1ous times.
Finally McGarrahan asked Colonel
Ayres. q former newspaper man. 10 see
what he could do. This was known as the
economical congress It's headers were
striving to keep appropriations down TO
the smallest limit Mon OF genius, under
more favorable circumstances, had en-
deavored 10 put that bin through and had
failed. Yet Ayres did not hesitate. Max
ing an agreement with McGarrahan by
which he was 60 have 10 per cent. of the
proceeds. whatever that might be, he began
his campaign His weapons were argu-
ment, demonstration Of the justice Of the
claim, appeal to the decency and generos-
fly ofsenators and representatives. lam
sure not a dollar was improperly used
Eloquence, tact, energy won the day In
the senate The bill passed that body by
a large majority. In the house the session
was drawing to n close, and If anything
were TO be done there it must be done
quickly Colonel Ayres canrassed the
ground very carefully. For months he
walked, ate, sat, almost slept with men,
berA Finally he was ready for vote He
felbconiident ne could pass the bill If
roll call upon ii could he had. The vital
question was, Could the bill be brought
upt That depended upon one mini
Speaker Crisp. Hundreds Of measures
were pressing for fBvor influential men
We're supporting them and f1valiug each
4 II Il. =.
Colonel Ayres get over this, difficulty?
He called one night on Speaker Crisp
and told what be wanted. He wanted a
chance 10 caB the bin up "You can't
dhave It." sand Crisp. even, them re
torted Ayres, ''you win have TO bury poor
old Billy McGarrahan. Take your choice
give me a vote or bury my man. He has
reached hislimit he can endure no more.
Disappointment after disappointment he
has borne. he has nearly starved, he has
changed from n young and vigorous man
TO whitehaired, broken wreck while
waiting for Justice ut the hands Of the
American congress- He can go no farther
II We can't have vote this week he'll be
dead by the time you bring your gavei
down for the final adjournment"
This was an appeal TO his manhood
which the speaker could not resist He
could do nothing less than give the btu a
chance to DO voted on. Responsibility for
its passage OF defeat was not his but rested
with the 800 members of the house,
you viii make something out of this
yourself, VIII YOU not, Ayres" Mr.. Crisp
asked.
II do not deny that, Mr. Speaker. But
Twill tell you what will do. Give us a
vote, and II tho bin passes pledge you
that my fre shall be turned over to any
charitable institution which you may
name All want Is justice for my client. 4"
The speaker promised the bin should
havea chance, but he did not think it nee
essary TO rob Ayres Of the reward Of his
work, though he felt confident this man,
lobbyist though he was, would keep bis
word. The hin had It's chance Ia court,
sgus passed, and when the news came ous
70 the corridor poor old Billy McGarrahau
wepb for Joy His blne eyes blazed with a
peculiar light Had the verdict been the
ether way no doubt he would have died
wfthin q week.
Now this IS a sample of lobbying of the
latter day style. Had the cause been any
thing but just one 1t could never have
won In the world. II could not have mus
tered dozen votes In the house. For thirty
years 10 has been Us meritorious as it is
now and bad failed a score OF times. All
honor, say ], TO the men who voted this
tardy Justice All honor, too, to Colonel
Ayres, who, though q professional lobby
lat, brought the American congress TO a
fealizationof its obligations and response
bilities Ayres by this ono stroke becomes
wealthy man. IL u the greatest victory
won by professional lobbyist in many
years. AS character study 1t is worth
while noting that this man could never
have made such a great success were he
anything but truthful, just and firth
ful man. There are scores OF members
Of congress and senators who would take
hrs word as they take other mems bonds.
lie neYer went back on a friend. He never
failed 70 help fellow being i'm distress
so, you sec, even in lobbying character is
worth something, and / believe In giving
the devil his due
have more respect for this man thnu /
nave Tor some members of congress who
refused to vote for poor old Billy McGar-
i~hans BID because they thought some
BODY might charge them with being cor
rapt. There Is where the cowardice Of
pubic hfe comes in, aud the selfshness of
~ Also Voting for this measure subjects
NO 70 nossioie critieisrn-y tkouaht tbs sY-