The Topeka state journal., 1897-06-25
Congressman BOtkin Has Found
Out One Thing
While at Washington and That
is That Congressman
Are Deliberately Paid by Represen-
tatives of Corporations for Their
Votes-One of the Worst Evils
of the Times.

: BOtk1n, the POpuliSt cOngreSSTnan-at
| large to a Journal reporter last night.
| But" he continued, Il find that I knew
! comparatively little about such things
/ before the beginning of my work in con-
gress.
Tt is not strange that the people as
| sert that the money of the east con-
trOls legislation. The wealthy IObbies
| representing the plutocratic money
| lenders and manufacturers surround
| the halls of congress at all times. They
| are there rolling in money so to speak,
J and they are there to spend it where
| it will accomplish the most good for the
corporate interests which they repre-
sent
DO you believe that legislation IS
shaped by the money in the hands of
these Iobbyists?"
Most assuredly There can be no
question about that. If that were not
| true those men who engage in that ne
farious business would not come at each
session OF congress and remain until it's
close. They protect the great nonOpO-
lies by purchasing men outright It is
a shame-a disgrace-that representa-
uVes of the people, sent to Washington
to perform a sworn duty, so far forget
their honor as to betray the people who
had imposed confidence in them
by SurFenderinS to these unprincipled
methods and practices"
DO you believe the votes of mem
bers of congress are influenced by mon
ey upon all important Ineasures?"
accepted in court but nevertheless it
is my opinion, based on observation,
that many of the members of the senate
feathered their nests with money Secur-
ed in exchange for their votes on the
sugar schedule. Not only on that par
ticular Saeasure, but on others. want
to say to you that the influence which
money mas exercised upon the national
legislation is one of the greatest crimes
of the century. The only way in which
people can rid themselves of this stigma
in my opinion, is to send new men to
congress. Send men from the people;
men who have no interests in corpora
tiOns; men who have some regard for
the oath which is administered to them
and then we will have not only credi-
table representation but reasonable leg
islation in the interests OF the people.
The two old parties have betrayed the
confidence imposed in them and the only
recourse left to the people is to drive
them from the high places and elevate
in their stead representatives from the
new party, which these condItlons IS
building up with great rapldlty. Ihe
people realize that with the present
agencies at work in this country moth
ing but corporation and anti-prOgres-
sive laws will be enacted. Congress is
the storm center of political crookedness
and it should be destroyed. The lobby
is larger than congress and has inftn-
itely greater power.
Asked if he wished to be candidate
for a e-nOmination, Mr.. Botkin said:
Yes, I do. I would be pleased to
serve a second term. A man does not
get thoroughly settled in his work In
one term.
''There is one other important reason
why I should like to be reelected and
that is believe that the next congress
will have a majority of POpuIlsts ana
then we can accomplish some of the
great reforms for which we nave oeen
contending."
When il was suggested to Mr.. BOtkln
that the fusion plan for the next Kan
sas campaign as is now being consider
ed contemplates the nomination OF a
Democrat as ngressnan-at-Iarge' ne
u know nothing about the situation
in Kansas. But, I am always wiling 70
trust the people. Will trust them AOI
a denomination and re-electloh. II
thew want a Democrat in my place they
lii nominate one. If they want to re-
t1IT, me for a second term they will re
nominate me Upon the declsloh ol Cne
DeOpIe I will be content
discussing the work of congress, Mr.:
RotI1in said: 4 think congress Will
adjourn about the middle of July.
That's only a guess, however, but that
is the opinion L have held for some
weeks. ~,
passed, representing the Mckinley IDEA
Of Drosperity The original Mckinley
bill was entitled AN act to reduce reve-
nues.' The Dingley bill is an act to in
crease revenues. That's a good deal
like the man who drinks whisky in Win
fer TO keep him warm and drinks it
again in summer to keep cool. The bill
will not be beneficial to the people: The
iss1e of the last campaign was the
tariff as Mckinley headed the ticket,
end his works were being Vindicated."
''Then the financial issue was not, in
YOUR opinion, the leading question of
the last campaign 2?
mo, sir. BY reason of the nomina-
ton of Mckinley the tariff was the
main issue"
what viii be the issue of the next
campaign"
1.-The money question, because the
tariff will have been tried. The bill
which is now being considered will have
been tried and the people will have
passed through an experience which
will not sustain the arguments and
theories of Republicans. They will
find that taxing the people will not
make better times. They will also
find that the passage of a tariff bill and
adding thereby greater burdens to
those already being carried by the peO-
pie will be the basis for the union of
all the opposing forces of politics, a
triple alliance, the strength of which I
believe will overthrow the champions
of tariff and elect to run this govern
ment men who are for the free and
unlimited coinage of silver at the ratio
of 16 to L The tariff has failed and
will fail again. We have an immense
treasury surplus and do not need a
tariff. A surplus is unnecessary. The
money should be circulated among the
people"
''Who will lead the triple alliance to
victory?''
Mr. BotIzin stared at the reporter in
amazement. He was astonished at be-
ing confronted with such a question
when the answer is so easy.
Bryan, of course
you think he will be renominated?'
Most assuredly. He is the greatest
champion of reform in this country
There should be a complete fusion of
all political elements opposed to the
4
should be selected to lead them. We
want him because he is the most elo-
quent supporter of a proper financial
policy this country has ever seen. The
-. L.