Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-01-02
THE LOBBY AT WORK.
PET ITS METHODS ARE NOT WHAT
THEY USED TO BE.

ycrs Before Congress -Ex-Speaker Crisp
Has His Hands Tull-A Tailor TO the
Diplomatic Corps.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 90. Especial. -
Within u few days it is expected ono of tho
Biggest Hobbies over seen about tho corri-
ors of tho capitol will make its appear
ncc Its purpose is to pass bill provid-
big some means of disposing Of the debt of
he Pacific railways. This is ono of the
iost difficult problems which congress has
wrcstle with. Tho men who have given
oscst study to tho topic arc in moro or
,ss doubt as to what is tho best solution,
ut they arc agreed that they do not need
he assistance of lobby in ascertaining
hat is to the best interests of tho govern
lent. 1t Is sometimes said that the days
{ tho lobby arc mt an end In Washington,
ut this Is not true. Tho only difference
that methods arc not what they were in
he old days. Hobbies no longer work
fifth vino suppers and swell dinners and
hey endeavor to do their business us quiet
rs possible and without attracting any
ttcntion. Lobbying has really become
ute respectable business or profession
b Washington. Tho mon engaged in 1t
all themselves "lawyors practicing before
ongress. Many of them are ex-mcmbcrs.
ut not many of them get rich. Thcro arc
few exceptions to this rulc, and if | cared
b do so l could give you the names of six
+ eight men who have amused comfort
BILE fortunes "practicing" before con-
ross.
Fell Among Philistines.
In this connection I must toll story
90 good to keep: a few weeks ago u rail-
ray company. having some measure pend
ng here which it was very anxious to put
Trough ut this session of congress, sent
IS counselor to town to look over the field
nd report on tho prospects. He was es-
ccmcd very bright lawyer and enjoyed
salary of $4,000 year from the COM
(any. But he was new to Washington.
10 did not know the ropes. He fell into
le hands Of tho Philistines. Two or three
Professional lobbyists whose influence had
ONO to an end years ago and whose con-
lection with any measure does IL moro
arm than good got hold of this lawyer
nd convinced him that tho way TO accom-
lish his purpose was to take parlors at
nc of tho leading hotels and give swell
inners, to which senators and members
congress were TO DO invited. Cham
agne was to flow freely, and between
purses sly work was to he put in for tho
i'll in which tho company Is Interested.
he lawyer actually went so far as to hire
arlors In first class hotel and wired to
is chief that no had arranged for n series
( dinners in behalf of their proposition,
Or he had boon assured that tho clearcst
Dad TO % mans conscience was through
IL stomach. In less than an hour camo
ie reply from the moro astutc president
( the company Cancel order for rooms
nd dinners and como home at once A
bbbyist who would propose such things
5 II series of dinners and open parlors Mt
hotel in this day and generation would
q laughed out Of town. Tho time for
hat has passed. None but needy hangers
n would attend such dinners, and the
MEASURE in whose interest they wcro given
'Ould never secure bakers dozen OF
otcs in either house of congress.
Our Rights at All Hazards.
President Cleveland and Secretary Oh
cy went into the Monroe doctrine affair
18th their eyes open. Last summer, while
hoy were preparing the dispatch to tho
british government, Mr. Olney went over
Gray Gables and said to tho presidents
MIR. Cleveland, are you aware of what
40 consequences of this dispatch may beg
10 you know that 1t may drive us into a
7ar with tho greatest naval power in the
,orld." II am well aware Of that, " re.
lied the president, "but If we cannot So
ure our rights without war let it be war;
Ex-Spcaker Crisp Is evidently going Ia
ave busy winter of it. As leader o!
ho minority Oh tho floor he will have "a
ieet all tho slirgs and arrows of the dc.
aters on tho other side. His conduct
= ,hile speaker IS likely TO be referred to
ow and then, especially his unfortunate
abit of losing his temper in the chair.
pm this score there was somo sharp rep
rtoe in the house II few days ago which
he usually alert correspondents appear ia
ave overlooked. Mr.. Boutellc, the pep.
cry and oXcitablo member from Maine,
slSed Mr.. Crisp IL he would yield to n
uestion. "Cortainly yield to my judi.
al friend from Maine" replied Crisp,
ihercupon the Democrats gave Mr.. BoC.
pile the laugh. But Boutclle Is about rs
uick with his tongue rs any man in the
ouse, and he flashed out this rctort, 81
opo that while l put my question the
entleman from Georgia will maintain
hat same calm cquipOlso which charao
prized his service in the chair" Then it
PAS the Republicans turn to laugh.
Now and then We get glimpse of the
liter feeling which exists between tic
resent speaker and the ex-spcaker In O
scent debate Mr.. Cannon having tho
DOR, asked how much time he had re
iaining Mt his disposal, and rcscrving Il
pok his seat. Mr.. Crisp addressed the
hair. But the speaker did not SEQ him
nd Mr.. Crisp stood silent For few mo
rents thoro was an awkward pause
inally Crisp said 81 addressed the chair
,me time ago, but have not yet been rec
gnizod The speaker explained that ht
adj understood Mr.. Cannon to yield hi,
me to another gentleman, and conso
uently had not looked in the direction o.
DO gentleman from Georgia. THE gen
eman from Georgia has tho floor.
A Gilt Edged Tailor.
One Of tho most prosperous merchants
now in Washington is tailor. Not al
rdinary tailor this. His big gilt sign tell.
passersby that he is tailor to tn,
plomato corps, and he is doing rush
~ business. At almost any hour Of til,
~ tho carriage of some diplomat may bt
pen In front Of this tailor's door. Thu
AMBASSADORS and ministers have peculiar
leas concerning their clothes They want
20 European cut In nino cases out of zen,
10 European style OF pockets and trn
pings. Tho everyday American tailoring
not good enough for them. This "taliui
the diplomatic corps is himself an in,
ortntion, and he Is up to all the --latest
Frinkles in style and ndornment know
the capitals of tho continent. He car
bake dress coat exactly to Sir Juliul
auncofote's liking and duplicate swol
nifnrm for thu snllinrv nti M hn nf 4I.l