The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-04
MIssouRr,s DISGRACE.
Governor Stone Calls Attention TO the
BOIdness OF Lobbyists.


JEFFERSON CITY. Mo-. April s.--Gov-
ernor Stone to-day sent call for a special
session of the State Legislature to meet
on April % for the following purposes:
First-To enact such legislation as may
be necessary and expedient to properly de-
line the relations between the different
classes OF employees of railroad corpora
tons Of this State and also the proper
relations between all such employees and
railroad corporations employing them and
to define and fix the legal liabilities be-
tween the different employees themselves,
and also between such employees and said
received by enc such eraploye as the re-
suit of the culpable negligence of another
such empioye while engaged In the service
Second-To provide such legislative en-
actments as may be necessary and ex-
redient to prevent the maintenance of an
organized lobby at the capital of the State.
either TO obstruct or promote any legisla-
tive or executive act; also to regulate the
ing legislation by persons interested there
IN before the General Assembly or any COM
mittee thereof.
Third-To enact such laws as may
be necessary and expedient to prevent fraud
against the elective franchise and to Sc
cure honest elections in all cities having
100000 inhabitants
Fourth-To consider any other subject that
may be submitted by special message dur
ing said extra session
t'ifth-To make an appropriation for the
eAl,snses Of this extra session of the Cen
eral Assembly.
In his call the Governor says: For
number of years the State has been dis
Dy an organized ana saiaried lobby
ltal during the sessions Of the General AS
sembly for the purpose OF influencing leg
lslative action. Encouraged by a. seeming
lack of sentiment at their presence, and en-
boldened by repeated successes, these lob
Dyists have from year to year increased
IN numbers, influence and audacity, until
Iney nave become an almost dominating
forcc in legislation. So confident have they
grown In their strength and so potent
influence that they now ply their vocation
almost without disguise in defiance of pub
lie authority and in utter contempt of pub
TIC opinion. 1t has come TO pass that al
most every important measure of legislation
must undergo the scrutiny of the lobby be
fore its fate can be determined What il
approves il NOT without hone Int what #
condemns Is lost.
Perhaps the most conspicuous illustra-
found i'm the treatment accorded the
called fellcw-servants bill. L do not now
d,scuss me merits OF the measure; l refer
defeat it. A number of Senators and Rep
resenratives. as well as many good citizens.
ing influence and Inundated at the tri-
unph of the lobby, have pressed upon me
the Importance of reconvening the General
Assembly to the end that the issue may be
fairly presented and an open test made as
to whether just legislative measure Of
spite of the communicating influence of
those who openly boast their ability to di-
strong words, know and | write them
with the greatest regret. but 1t is clear
to me that time for mild protest is past.
We are confronted by the question whether
the people or the lobby shall rule in Mis-
souri, The public safety and the honor of
the State are at stake. Every Senator,
member, public official and citizen familiar
with the truth knows that these words are
justified by the situation at Jefferson City.
The Governor then mentions the neces-
sity of passing new laws, governing cleo
lions. On this subject he says: Generally,
throughout this State, | am confident cleo
lions are characterized by the highest in
tegrity. but unfortunately this is not true
in all large cities 1t is known that gross
frauds have been committed in St. Louis
and Kansas City The inducement and OPP
portunity for corrupt practices in large,
populous municipalities are great and ex-
perience proves that dishonest men of all
parties have not been slow to debauch the
elective franchise. Not few conssum-
mate and dastardly ontrages have been
Candor will compel a general
frauds is fairly divided between the adher-
ents of the different political organizations.
The truth of this statement is made evident
nv the fact that both Republicans and
Democrats, so-ralled. have been recently
indicted In st. Louis and Kansas CITY for
active PARTICIPATION in such frauds When
such frauds are not sonly nossble but are
actually and boldly comynitted. it is evil
dent that the public safety jmperativelv
such CHANGES i'm the law as will
not only terminate existing abuses hit pre-
vent their repetition in the future