The record-union., 1895-03-06


publish short letters from correspondents on
topics of interest to the general public. The
matter in these communications Will be I'M
derstood to represent only the views of the
writer's. All communications must be accom-
panied by the name OF the writer, not for
publication unless so desired, but as guaran-
tee OF good taith.-EDS.
The Lobby.
EDS. RECORD UNION: Who makes the
laws? The lobby members Of the Legis-
latures or the members chosen by the
people? 1t would seem to be easy enough
to answer the question as to who ought
to make them. The people answered this
question by casting their votes. But
there is prevalent opinion that the
lobbyists, both in our Legislatures and
in our halls of Congress, have more to do
with the making of our laws than the
members themselves. Why should 1t be
SO? Political parties have their plat
forms, and in their campaigns make
known their principles and the kind
of legislation demanded, and their can
didates are pledged to their principles.
Ii they are men of integrity they will
keep their pledges, and honest men
should not try to diSsuade them from
such course.
If we believe the majority should rule,
and they have been elected by the voice
of the people, why should we not acqui-
esce in what they do without interference?
There is. however, this notable exception
to be made-woman is not, in this calcula-
ton, considered part Of the people. 1t
has been said that there is a woman at
the beginning of every great thing" yet
in this enlightened America, and in our
great commonwealth, woman has no
voice in determining who shall make or
enforce our laws, only as she may be able
to influence her masculine lord and
master.
l would therefore leave the lobby ex-
clusively to her. This is her only oppor-
tunity, and If she can endure the sneers
and the tobacco smoke l would allow her
to storm aud besiege and torment a Leg
islature to her hearts content. But
when the men-all classos-"rag, shag
and bobtail'-have had their say In the
casting OF their ballot, it would seem to
me that they should leave the work of
legislation very largely in the hands of
men chosen by the people for this pur
pose. Ii the better class of citizens have
been too Indifferent, or cowardly, to eX-
press their real sentiments at the ballot
box, why should they seek to influence
legislation by petitions and through lob
bylsts? But what can good people hope
to accomplish in this way? for
Wher'er the Lord erects a house of PRAYER
The devil always has his chapel there;
And it has been seen by observation
He always has the largest congregation.
With greater numbers and unscrupu-
lous methods on the other side, the good
people are likely to get left. Ii legisla-
tive body is incompetent to do the work
for which it has been chosen, either for
want tofintelligence OF or moral character, it
Is not appeals 10 sentiments of patriotism
or the general good that will be most
likely to influence such body; but they
are likely to be easily influenced by mo-
tives of personal advantage, and the
party that is able to offer the highest
prize IN the way OF preferment or money
will be likely to win in the race.
on the other hand, if such a body is
composed OF men of sufficient intelligence
and patriotism to do their work wisely
and well, they need not the help of out
side influences. only so far as it NAV fur
nish them with necessary Information as
to the real needs of the country and peo-
pie for whom they are to make laws
Let US, then, hold the members of such
bodies more strictly and directly respons-
IDLE for what they DO, and find the rem
edy for improper legislation at the ballot
box.
In country like ours, where the peo-
pie are supposed to rule, the laws enacted
by men chosen by the people are sup
ments OF the people. Ii these laws are
not OF high order, if they are not framed
in the interest OF virtue and morality, the
only adequate remedy, it would seem to
me, is to lift the moral sentiment OF the
people to higher plane, SO that they will
choose different class of men to legis-
late for them. If laws were enacted that
did not express the real sentiment of the
people, while they might be somewhat
educaJive in their influence, yet they
would not materially change society,
Christs method was not that OF direct as
sault upon the evils SO prevalent in His
day or by petitioning the Roman Gov
ernment for better laws. But III under
mined these great evils and secured the
masses with the great principles of truth
and love which belonged to His kingdom.
Thus parents were taught to have proper
regard Tor their children, and woman was
elevated to her proper place and slavery
melted away before the power of Chris
tian love; and the gladlatorial com bats
ceased because Christian sentiment had
perneated the hearts of the people, and
in rendering to Caesar the things that
were Cesar's, laws regulating these
things were enacted and enforced.
Ii half that is reported IN the papers to-
day concerning the corrupting influence
of lobbyists is true, we are approaching
the crisis in our history which presaged
the fall OF Rome. when Didius, having
the longest purse and being the highest
bidder, bought the empire. The real
change must begin with the people-a
change so radical that it will be felt in
every election. Such moral uplifting has
been in the past the glory of the Christian
church. But Christianity to-day seems
to be so cloistered in her fine churches
that the toiling, burdened multitudes are
drifting away from her and are not feel
ing her leavening influence.
Jeremiah. the prophet, was moved to
tears when he saw that "A wonderful
and horrible thing is committed in the
land; the prophets prophesy falsely, and
the priests bear rule byStheir means, and
my people love to have it so; and what
will ye do in the end thereof"
A more hopeless state OF society could
not be conceived than this. When relig-
ious teachers, who are looked to as the
guardians of truth and morality, are
turned aside from their duty from
love to have it so, well may we ponder
the question: What will ye do in the
end thereof?'
But the spirit Of reform is in the air to-
day. Ii it proves to be abiding and not a
mere spasm, there is hope. But unless
we awake to righteousness and quit our
meanness," when we are boasting of our
prosperity, as did Nebuchadnezzar, say
ing: "Is not this great Babylon that |
have built?' God will turn US out to eat
grass. j. w. b.
Elk Grove, February 2S, 1895.
"There is Danger in Delay"
Since 1861 l have been great sufferer