The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-08-23
FULL OF CORRUPTIO
MoOrffeld StOrey's Address on
'The American Legislature"
Made Before American Bar As
ISOLATION at Saratoga.
LEGISLATION IS SOLD.
Officers of the Law Paid to Neg
lect Their Duty.
Great Corporations Pay Large
Sums for FavOrs.
LEGISLATION IS SOLD.
Congressional Investigations of
COrruptiOns Fruitless.

association was delivered this morning
by - oorield Storey Of Massachusetts, on
the 50 srican Legislature"
American Legislature
Mr.. ssorey said: "Changes are taking
place in our theories of government,
which we cannot afford to iguOro. When
we remember the wonderful exhibition
at Chicago, which crowned the civIliza-
ton Of 40 years, aud contrast the splen-
did prospect upon which our eyes rested
a year ago, with the scenes OF bloodshed
and cOnhdgratiOn in the same city during
the conflict whose echoes are even now
ringing IN our ears, we may we'll enquire
what the change means.
Every observer Of our political his
tory during the last twenty years must
have been struck with the change which
has taken place in the attitude Of our
people toward the fundamental
principles of our government. Large
bodies of our fellow citizens in
sist that because they choose
not to work no one else shall work / n
their place; that every man who wishes
10 follow d certain trade shall JOIN an
association which they form and submit
his lluerIy to lis control, or else abandon
his Calling; and that If man refuses TO
employ them on terms which they die
tate, ne shall employ no one else.
upon Claims like these are justified
the efforts 10 prevent the employ ment Of
nOn-unIon men by refusing to work with
them. and by murderous ATTACKS upon
them when they take the place of strIk-
ers.
Respect for Elections Disappearing.
shespecL for the result al e4ecLiOns
seems 10 be disappearing and political
partisans are re .dy apparently TO resort
10 any expedIeut TO enable them re-
tain or to acquire power There - To be
heard every day adverse Comment re-
Eard4ng congress, state leglsi ures and
MI IL 4
siIstrust Of their acts is generally felt
For NV present purpose l meatlOn it as
evidences that the leading members Of
the house Of REPRESENTATIVES do not trust
that body. and frame their rules accord
ingly.
..Losz Of faith in the legislature is loss
of faith IN representative government,
loss Of faith IN the people themselves.
and his feeling really lies 1t the root Of
The changes IN public opinion on fuuda-
mental principles which l have No. ed.
/ Bribery is made the excuse for anarchy.
The danger against winch we guard IN
constitutions and which III Conversation
we recognize and deplOre Is the danger
| that private interests can afford 10 pay
for the privileges which they seek,
| prices which the ordinary legislator can
not refuse.
an many states certainly there has
grown up an irrespOnsl bic body between
| The people aud Their representatives
! finds the business extremely profit n BILE.
/ " hen the legislature meets, eacn pro-
1 fessionaI lobbyist has body Of members
who viii listen readily TO his advice, and
whose votes he can influence 10 d greater
or less extent. Certain large corpora
lions which are likely to be interested in
! legislation adopt the same methods of
selecting representa- tives. aud each has
its cOhort of disciplined supporters.
1.-The issues upon which these repre-
oh. MI sseaH
no part in the campaign, have been dis
cussed in no political meeting, have at
trac. ed no public attention. the real
! question that is to divide the legislature
which they choose is whether one party
or another shall acquire the right to con-
I troll the streets of soIne great city.
Legislation Done BY Lobbyists
s.The lobbyist also plays prominent
part in the selection of the speaker OF
| The house, and pays well for it, the pri-
vhte and personal interests at stake being
some times enormous, and the corrupt
law makers greatly profit by the trans
action. Committee decisions are also
affected by these evil agencies, and it is
only after some designing bill is favor
ably reported that the public awakens to
the danger Of the situation.
I'm congress, too. Investigations of
| altered cOrrupfiOns are notably fruitleSs.
Not criminals alone, but the wealth and
! standing, for years have paid the officers
OF the law TO neglect or 10 discharge
| their duty. Great corporations and pri-
| vste citizens have paid large sums to
| men Of political influence in return for
Legislative favors or for Insurance against
hostile laws, while humble peddlers have
paid for the permission to earn their
living
"In the greatest and richest city Of
! our land, the government Of laws has
| given place to a government Of cOrrup-
( ton and blackmaiL New York has had
virtue enough at least to begin reform.
/ and has learned what honest men never
sufficiently realize how essentially and
necessarily weak IS any combination OF
! scouudrels.
The character of Legislators must be
/ raised and bribery stripped Of every
cloak. Public opinion must be brought
to recognize the truth that il Is not the
| comparatively poor, weak aud often IN
| educated man who receives the bride,
but the strong, rich and able man, who
pays, at whose doors lies the sin OF cor
ruption. The tempter is as bad as the
| man whom he tempts.
strike at the Pocket With Money.
'sIf We . It on the fountain, the rlvulet
ceases 10 flow 1t Is the POCKET from
| which the money comes at which we
must strike If corruption Is to be staid-
| The pubic must realize the truth that
The man who knowingly employs q dis
honest agent. gives him money to &C