The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1894-08-28
The Change In Our Attitude
Toward the Government.
HARD QUESTION TO ANSWER.
Speech Of Mooreheld Storey to the
American Bar Association
at Saratoga,
ON 1.-THE AMERICAN LEGISLATURE"

archaeological and Labor.
SARATOGA, Aug. 24.-"The American
Legislature" was the subject Of
speech delivered to the American Bar
association by Mr.. Moorefeld Storey of
Massachusetts,. The address was as
follows:
Changes are taking place in our theories
of government which we can not afford to
ignore. When we REMEMBER the wonder
full exhibition at Chicago, which crowned
the civilization of 400 years, and contrast
the splendid prospect upon which our eyes
rested a year ago with the scenes of BLOOD
shed and con1agration in the same city
during the conflict, whose echoes are now
ringing in our ears, we may well inquire
what the change means.
Every observer of our political history
during the last 20 years must have been
Struck with the Change
which has taken place in the attitude of
our people toward the fundamental prin-
ciples of our government.
Large bodies of our fellow citizens insist
that because they choose not to work no
one else shall work in their places; that
every man who wishes to follow certain
trade shall join an association which they
form and submit his liberty to its control
or else abandon his calling; and that If
man refuses to employ them on terms
which they dictate he shall employ no one
else. Upon claims like these are justified
the efforts to prevent employment OF non
union men by refusing to work with them,
by boycotting employers who allow them
TO work, and by murderous attacks upon
Al how fob ha rla0Q nf Strikpra
Respect for the result of elections seems
to be disappearing, and political partisans
are ready apparently to resort to any ex-
pedient to enable them to retain or to ac-
Cuire power. There is to be heard every
day adverse comment regarding congress,
legislatures, and city aldermen and coun-
cilmen and distrust of their acts is' gem
orally felt. For my present purpose
mention it as evidence that the leading
members of the house of representatives
do not trust that body and frame their
rules accordingly.
Loss of Faith
IN the legislature Is loss of faith in repre-
sentative government, loss OF faith IN the
people themselves, and this feeling really
lies at the root of the changes in public
opinion on fundamental principles which
/ have noted. Bribery is made the excuse
for anarchy. The danger against which
we guard in constitutions and which IN
conversation we recognize and deplore is
the danger that private interests can afford
to pay for the privileges which they seek
prices which the ordinary legislator cahho0
refuse.
In many states certainly there has grown
up an irresponsible body between the peo-
-, hai fat iupS which
Undertakes to Sell Legislation
and finds the business extremely profit
able. When the legislature meets each
professional lobbyist has body of men,
bers who will listen readily to his advice,
and whose votes he can influence to q
greater or less extent. Certain large cor
porations which are likely to be interested
in legislation adopt the same methods of
selecting representatives.
The issue upon which these representa-
tives have been chosen have plBsed no part
in the campaign, have been discussed in no
political meeting, have attracted no pub
lie attention. The real question that is to
divide the legislature which they choose is,
whether one party or another shall ac-
quire the right to control the streets of
some great city.
The lobbyist also plays prominent part
in the selection of the speaker of the
house, and paws well for it, the private or
personal interests at stake being some
times enormous, and
The Corruptible Lawmakers
greatly profit by the transaction. Com
mittee decisions are also affected by these
evil agencies and it is only after some de-
signing bill is favorably reported that the
public awaken to the danger of the stu
alton. In congress, too, Investigations OF
alleged corruptions are notably fruitless.
Nor criminals alone but men of wealth and
standing for years have paid the officers
of the law to neglect or to discharge their
duty. Great corporations and private
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 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 corruption and blackmail
New York has had virtue enough at least
to begin to reform, and has learned what
honest men never sufficiently realize, how
and necessarily weak is any
combination OF scoundrcls.
Must BE Change.
The character of legislators must be
raised, and bribery stripped of every
cloak. Public opinion must be brought TO
the truth that it is not the COM
poor, weak, and often unedu
Gated man who receives the bride, but the
strong, rich and able man, who pays, at
whose door lies the sin of corruption. The
tempter is as bad as the man whom he
tempts. If we cut off the fountain the
rivulet ceases to flow. 1t is the pocket
from which the money comes, at which
We must strike if corruption is to be staid.
The public must realize the truth that
nan who knowingly employs dishonest
agent, gives him money to accomplish an
object and closes his eyes to everything
but the result, is just as guilty of every
corrupt act which that agent does as if he F,
did it himself.
Capital and Labor.
In dealing with the delicate questions
between labor and capital which are press
ing upon US, the legislature is the court
and jury.
When mems passions are as strongly en- /
listed as they are in these disputes, the
most perfect integrity and the greatest