People's voice., 1895-05-02
THE LOBBY.
1t Is stronger Than the People. Gov.
Stone Says.


Gov. Stone has called an extra ses-
sion of the Missouri legislature. In
his proclamation reconvening the Cen
eral Assembly he says:
For a number of years the state has
been disgraced by an organized and
salaried lobby maintained by special
interests at the capital during the ses-
sions of the General Assembly for the
purpose of influencing legislative ac-
ton. Encouraged by seeming lack
of public resentment at their presence,
and emboldened by repeated successes,
these lobbyists have been from year
to year increased in number, influence.
and audacity, until they have become
an almost dominating force in legisla-
tlon. So confident have they grown in
their strength. and so potent in infu-
ence, that they now ply their vocation
almost without disguise, in defiance OF
public authority and in utter contempt
OF public opinion. II has come to pass
that almost every important measure
of legislation must undergo the scru-
tiny of the lobby before its fate can be
determined. What it approves is not
without hope. and what ii condemns is
lost. Perhaps the most conspicuous H.
lustration of this disgraceful domina-
tion is to be found in the treatment ac-
corded the so-called fellow servant bill.
| do not now discuss the merits of the
measure; ! refer only to the means
adopted to suppress and defeat it. Those
means have been so generally discussed
in the press of the state. and the people
nave thus become so familiar with
them, that deem it unnecessary to re.
state them in detail. A number of
senators and representatives. as well "a
many good citizens, who have felt ap.
palled at the yer-shadowing influence
and humiliated at the triumph of the
lobby, have pressed upon me the i'm.
portance of recOnvening the General
Assembly, to the end that the issue NAV
be fairly presented. and an open test
made, as to whether a Just legislative
measure Of this character can be en-.
acted into law in spite Of the contain.
mating influence Of those who openly
boast their ability to direct the cur.
rent OF legislation. These are strons
words, | know, and | write them with
the keenest regret. But it is clear t.
me that the time for mild protest Il
past. We are confronted by the ques.
tlon whether the people of the lobby
shall rule in Missouri. The public
safety and the honor of the state arr
at stake. Every senator, member. pub.
lie official or citizen familiar with the
truth knows that these words are Jus.
tilted by the situation at Jefferson City
believe the condition of affairs which
| have adverted is alone sufficient te
make it my imperative duty to recall
the senators and representatives elected
by the people in special session to con.
slider the particular important subject
OF legislation to which have referred
which has been so long delayed and sc
often defeated by influences dangerou.
to the public right. In this way it car
be considered free from the multitude
of other perplexing questions incident
to regular session, and thus every sen.
ator and representative can be afforded
unhampered opportunity to discharge
his duty to his constituency with the
greatest deliberatiOn and intelligence"
Yes, governor. those are strong
words" but not a bit too strong under
the circumstances. In fact, we don't
see how justice can be done in any.
thing like temperate language But the
lobby is not confined to the state OF
| NloSOuil, hui uOtS IL COHitul llStl Dg
communicating our state legislatures
1t dominates our national legislature
If any one doubts this let him remember
the action of the Sugar trust influence
in the Fifty-third congress, the his
tory of railroad grants, and subsidies
of various kinds. Gov. Stone deserves
the commendation of every honest citi.
zen in his courageous arraignment OF
the lobby in his state. He has set the
pace for other governors to follow, and
for the people to demand of their repre-.
sentatives that their duty is to legis
late for the greatest good and the
greatest number" and not for speciai
corporate interests that are represent
ID by strong lobby and plenty Of
funds.