The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-03-29
LEGISLATIVE REFORM.
A Question of Opportunities-The Sc
ductive Methods OF the Lobby.

To THE EpIroR-Sir: Your frequent al
lusions to the acts of the legislature of 1889
in comparison with the work OF that Of
1898 are not doing justice TO the latter.
In point of ability and zeal for accomplish
ing good, the two bodies, in nv opinion,
were on an equality. but taking oppor-
tunity into consideration the legislature of
| 1889 enjoyed decided advantage over the
| one of 1898 Wars make heroes and op-
portunities patriots. But for the late
! civil war and its attendant results Grant
would have lived and died in obscurity at
| Galena. Time and opportunity were I'M
| favorable for the legislature Of 1898 to at
tain historical fame. Aside from the at.
tack by our opponents on the new tax
law, We We're practically without any great
state issue. the national issue of tariff re-
form overshadowing all else.
Unless the people are smarting under a
| system of deep-seated wrongs aud abuses
| the opportunity for reform legislation of
an extraordinary character does not exist.
British oppression and an intense, right
eous craving for liberty in the hearts of
the colonists caused the American revolu-
tion-an opportunity making hundreds of
men illustrious. The widespread and ap-
| palling debauchery OF the popular suf-
| frsge in 'S8 raised the vehement cry of
ballot reform throughout the land. A
few weeks after that memorable election,
nd in the midst OF a universal wall and
irresistible demand for more stringent
laws for the protection and publication OF
the ballot the legislature of $50 met. What
a grand opportunity for that body to cover
itself With fame and glory!
An equally blessed law enacted by the
| legislature OF 'S9 was the school-book
lava work begun by its predecessor of
'S7. The writer and Representative
| Peasants agreeing upon a measure, offer
| ed the same simultaneously in our re-
spective bodies. Next to the protracied and.
bitterly fought Turpie-Harrison senatorial
| contest, the school-text-book bill. was the
paramount measure OF that session. And,
| despite the apparent timidity of members
| in supporting a bill involving a radical
change in our public school system, and
| despite the poisonous influence of DOW
| eriul and aggressive lobby representing
| the various publishing houses in the coun-
| try. Mr.. Peasants succeeded in pushing
| the bill to engrossment in the house,
whilst the writer crowded it one step
higher in the senste-for final passage
but the republican senators reius-
ing to vote, the bill failed
to pass for the want of con-
| Il
| of the great reform measure, but post.
ponement only. The great work was be-
| gun, public sentiment aroused and it re-
NAMED for the legislature OF 1889 to finish
it, affording another opportunity for that
body TO ingraft its name into the hearts
of a grateful people.
l am in full accord with you in your
| just condemnation of the course OF the
late legislature in tolerating a surging and
! defiant swarm OF LOBBYISTS TO infest the
capitol. Ii allowed free scope these willy
emissaries of corporate interests soon
permeate with their corrupt breath the
atmosphere of the capitol 10 the dome,
dazing the conscience of all coming in
| contact with them. They endeRver TO
capture the entire Legislative outfit, from
| the presiding official down to the hum
best employe. Gradually, but slowl V,
they weave a misty net around the
vision OF the unsophisticated legislator,
impairing his sight in distinguish
ing between right and wrong. Report
ers and strenographers are spe cial
objects OF alteration to the professional
| lobbyist. Speeches obnoxious 10 corporate
| power are misquoted or perverted, or sup
/ pressed entirely. The stenoerapher pur-
porting 10 have been employed by the leg
islature of 'S7 willfuily omitted speech
In the BREWER reports delivered by the
| writer in support of his motion to adopt
the minority report signed by Senator
Howard (now justice of the supreme
COURT recommending the passage of the
then pending school-book bill. Yet this
| same stenographer dares to ask the people
OF the state of Indiana to pay him $4,000
for suppressing the truth in the interest OF
monopolistic greed.
| Rtts hat nf ha f,Yfu y
ries are Already gathering with gleeful
breasts planning for '94-building air
castles. The democracy of Indiana has
nothing to fear so long as the custodian
ship of the state institutions is placed in
the hands OF honest, pure and patriotic
men. The efiect'of the work OF the late
legislature. if not altogether beneficent,
will certainly prove harmless. BY the
time We shall have to meet our old
time foe again Cleveland's business adj
ministration will shine forth a tower of
strength TO the democracy and congress
will have redeemed the party's pledge In
materially reducing existing federal bur-
dens. In the meantime let us cease in
ternal hostilities. stop the family tight.
| This is a most critical and trying time for
the democracy, pending the distribution
of the federal Offices, naturally causing
disappointment and heartaches right and
| left. Let us be less severe and eKactinG
and more moderate and tolerant.
From now on and henceforth let the de-
| mocracy in every county of the common
wealth cast about for legislative candi-
dates with view of choosing men OF abil-
ity and integrity, men who can not be
swayed from the plain path of public duty,
and to whom the allurements of the Sc
duotive lobbyist have no temptation. Let
US unitedly and faithfully continue in our
advocacy of economy and retrenchment
| in every department, national, state and
local." Under il we have triumphed and
with il We shall be victorious again.
V. ZIMMERMAN.
Rochester, March 20, 1898.