Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1895-03-23
Wren OH the Legislature.

Reno Journal. 1t throws a strong
light ON the action of the majority in
the late Assembly. Read it and act
on his suggestions when another
election rolls around:
HThe Legislature has adjourned and
a gene al sense OF lief in felt. No
Legislature has ever met in the State
with better opportunity for making a
60 ID record than the late but not la
me ate l one. The platforms of all
three OF the political parties in tho
State were practically the same upon
the burning question Of the day-the
reconciliation of silver and the ex-
tension of the time and change of
terms OF payment OF the debts Of the
Union Pacific and Central Pacific
railroads.
at would be useless waste Of ink
to point out all Of the sins of omis-
sion and commission of the Legisla-
tur,. especially of majority of the
Assembly. The most fragrant have
already been denounced by the press
of the State.
ais either Of the political parties re-
sponsible for the misdoing of the Leg.
is'atque? Certainly not. Taking the
Assembly as an example. and we find
that at least eight out of the ten or
twelve Republicans in that body and
about an equal number of Silver
members apparently voted rs the lob
by directed all through the session.
at would. therefore, be manifestly
unjust to hold either the Republican
or Silver party responsible. Who,
then, is responsible? Unquestionably
the lobby and the members who per
mitted the lobby to influence them.
l was at Carson during the first three
weeks of the session, and during that
time the scenes around the Senate
and Assembly chambers were simply
soandalous. 1t was common occur
rem ,e to sec members called out into
the hallway mt the beck Of a railroad
lobbyist. it is not unfair to assume to
receive directions in regard to mat
ters pending or to come up in the
Legislature affecting railroad inter
ests. The members dependent upon
some lobbyist or friend of lobby
ist was intimidated. Bargains and
bribery we're used with the corrupt
and weak, and inexperienced we're
wheedled and deceived by the lobby,
and by such means majority in one
or both houses was secured to defeat
needed legislation affecting railroad
and other interests, and frequently to
secure vicious Legislation. The work
of the lobbyist, especially the railroad
lobbyist, is not confined to the Lcgis-
lature, however. The railroad com
pany is Interested in the election Of
men who wear it's collar as assessors,
county commissioners and members
OF the Legislature. Usually a few
months before general election the
railroad lobbyist snoops around
through the State selecting candi
dates for those and even higher Offices
who will be acceptable to the railroad
When Inc candidates have been Sc
lected the railroad company gives
them substantial support and, if elect
ed, they can generally be relied upon
to, protect railroad interests.
"The people, a vast majority of
whom are deeply interested in and in
favor OF honest Legislation and lust
administration of the laws, should an.
ply caustic remedy for the present
existing abuses. Permit mo to sup.
gest the remedy. A new party divis-
ion must be made. The honest. in
telligent, independent voter must he
arrayed against the knaves, political
time servers and fools without regard
to party utilization. These are honest.
intelligent, independent Republicans,
Silver men and Populists. There are
political knaves, time servers and
TOOLS who are Republicans, Silver men