Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1892-08-05

looked lnCO IL ana WILLIAM
decided in his favor. Some of the biggest
lobbyists of the last quarter of a century,
Sam Ward, the prince, Matt Carpenter
and several others whom I am not at lib
erty to name-have had ihis interests in
charge at various times.
Finally McGarrahan asked Colonel
Ayres, a former newspaper man, to see
what he could do. This was known as the
economical congress. It's leaders were
striving to keep appropriations down to
the smallest limit. Men OF genius, under
more favorable circumstances, had en-.
deavored to put that bill through and had
failed. Yet Ayres did not hesitate. Max
ing an agreement with McGarrahan by
which he was to 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-
lty OF senators and representatives. I am
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 a close, and if anything
were to be done there it must be done
quickly. Colonel Ayres canvassed the
ground very carefully. For months he
walked, ate, sat, almost slept with mem
bers. Finally he was ready for a vote. He
felt confident he could pass the bill if a
roll call upon it could be had. The vital
question was, Could the bill be brought
up? That depended upon one man
Speaker Crisp. Hundreds of measures
were pressing for favor. Influential men
were supporting them and r~ivaling each
-nfhnr fnr thu cr,no1y1rtc f,xv1o T.. III
Colonel Ayres get over this difficulty?
2 He called n night on Speaker Crisp
and told what he wanted. He wanted a
have it," said Crisp. "Well, then" re-
torted Ayres, "you will have to bury poor
old Billy McGarrahan. Take your choice
give me a vote or bury my man. He has
reached his limit; he can endure no more.
Disappointment after disappointment he
has borne, he has nearly starved, he has
changed from a young and vigorous man
to a whitehaired, broken wreck while
waiting for justice at the hands of the
American congress. He can go no farther
if we can't have a vote this week he'll be
dead by the time you bring your gavel
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 bill
chance to be voted on. Responsibility fol
its passage or defeat was not his, but rested
with the 300 members of the house.
you will make something out of this
yourself, will you not, Ayres?" Mr.. Crisr
asked. u w." ' go f-.'' -|
Il do not deny that, Mr.. Speaker. But
I will tell you what I will do. Give us &
vote, and if the bill passes I pledge you
that my fee shall be turned over to any
charitable institution which you may
name. ALL I want is justice for my client
The speaker promised the bill should
have a 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 his
word. The bill had it's chance in court
was passed, and when the news came out
to the corridor poor old Billy McGarrahaI
wept for joy. His blue eyes blazed with !
peculiar light. Had the verdict been the
other way no doubt he would have dice
within n week.
Now this is a sample of lobbying of the
latter day style. Had the cause been any
thing but a just one it could never have
won in the world. 1t could not have mus
tered a dozen votes in the house. For thirty
years it has been as meritorious as it i
now and had failed a score of times. AL.
honor, say I, to the men who voted this
tardy justice. All honor, too, to Colonel
Ayres, who, though a professional lobby
ist, brought the American congress to
realization Of its obligations and response
bilities. Ayres by this one stroke becomes
a wealthy man. It is the greatest victory
won by q professional lobbyist in many
years. AS a character study it is worth
while noting that this man could never
have made such q great success were he
anything but q truthful, q just and faith.
full man. There are OF members
OF congress and senators who would take
his word assthey take other mems bonds