St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-12-29
THE LOBBY AT WORK.

Washington advices report the organ
lzaticn there of a powerful and unscru-
pulous lobby, whose purpose it is to de-
feat the new tariff bill. especially as it
applies to iron and coal The lobby is
backed by unlimited money, and no eff
fort will be spared to retain the pro-
tectlye features of our tariff system as a
whole. If members of congress are Sus-
ceptible to threats and intimidation,
these will be employed; if they can be
moved by promises of political prefer
ment, these pledges Will be freely made;
II they can be influenced by monetary
considerations, there will be an album
dance of ''swag" at their disposal. The
most adroit agents of monopolies that
could be procured are on hand, ready to
pounce upon the congressman on their
return from the holiday recess, and to
ply them with every art that ingenuity
can suggest, to the end that their votes
may be procured on the final contest
between tariff robbery and reform.
The country has already had an I'M
enviable experience with Hobbies. The
Credit MObiller, the star route. the sta
tIonery contract, the seal fisheries and
Indian awards showed the power exc T.
ciSed upon congress by the lobb Y.
Many statesmen who had long borne en-
viable regulations for integrity We're
badly smirched in one or the other of
these scandals. Two men who had
occupied the vice presidents chair went
to their graves under cloud; score of
senators and representatives were COM
PEELED to hide their heads in shame and
to seek III oblivion relief from ignOminy.
There lie every indication that the lobby
now organized will be quite as powerful
and equally as INSCRIPTIONS as any of
its predecessors, and will stop at moth
ing, no matter how Infamous, which
shall promise it success.
In this emergency it will be we'll for
the people to be on their guard. There
are many members of both houses of
congress who, unfortunately, are not
above suspicion. They are mere politi-
cal adventures who have sought the
offices they hold for purely mercenary
purposes. They are always ION the
make" waiting for bids tor their votes,
and willing TO betraY the people who
they can do so with profit. If they can
feather their nests comfortably they
care nothing for the public. These will
fall ready and willing victims to the
lobby. There are others who are honest
in intention but weak of purpose. They
will be approached and convinced that
their only hope of securing a continu-
ance in their present positions lies in
obedience to the behests of the protected
monopolists. The expedients that will
be employed are multitudjnOus and
multiform, for there are many strings to
the bow Of the professional lobbyist.
Every Democratic member of congress
was elected on platform which pledged
him to vote for reform of the tariff
for the repeal of "that eliminating
atrocity of class legislation" the Nc
Klnley bill. If he permits himself to be
influenced to conduct in conflict with
his instructions, he will lay himself open
to the suspicion OF having been cor
ruptly influenced, and he will be visited
with swift and exemplary retribution.
No man who at this juncture proves
recreant to his duty need ever again ask
for the confidence or support of his
constituents.
The lobby will be closely watched
during the session, and those who place
themselves under its influence, no mat
ter how remotely, will feel the public
displeasure.