The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-06-25
THE PETITION INDUSTRY.
Business In Washington which
Gives One Nan Q Good Lying.

The petition industry Is booming. In the
indexing OF the Congressional Record for
the session just closed. one man II hand
ing nothing but the petitions. Day after
day he sits at his deek making up the
catalogue OF prayers OF the people. II he
finishes his stint by the time the rest OF
the index Is ready for the printer he will
realize expectations. Most men In con-
gress formally recognize expression OF
1.-The right OF petition" II they receive
petitions they introduce them. Some years
ago. when he was in the senate Mr. Sher-
man presented petition. The request
conveyed therein was so at variance with
newspaper man asked him what he
meant.
Nothing" was the reply: nothing at
all. recognize the right OF petition. and
put in the subject. I do not consider
myself In any way committed by such ac-
tion,''
Back OF the right OF petition is political
history and evolution OF government The
first amendment TO the constitution of the
United States declared right OF petition.
But the present petition industry was. not
contemplated In the long contest between
rulers and people which ended In ac-
Acknowledgement Of the RICH, Of petition.
Within the memory OF present officials OF
congress petitions have multiplied one
hundredfoid. Where there were ten petit
lions twenty years ago there are a thou
sand now. Petitions have ceased 10 repre-
sent the voluntary exercise OF the right
They are now product OF American man.
ufacture. The rapidity with which the
product is increasing makes 1t only n
question OF time when congress will adopt
measures TO discourage IL IL cannot repress
the exercise. Mere printing OF the petit
tons by title has become a serious item
-
time with the public presentation OF these
petitions. but provides a box Into which
they are dropped. on the hack pages %
tire Record the briefest possible daily list
OF the contents OF the box appears The
senate still permits the Introduction %
these petitions. but WIFI hardly do so much
longer. Last session tire reading OF the
petitions by titles consumed much time
ard many columns Of the proceedings.
The manufacture OF petitions Is a mat
ter Of pride and prof; with those who
conduct IL There IL one man in Wash
ington who writes Rev" before his name
and -. u" after, who earns an income
equal 20 tina; paid many pastors Of metro
pelitan churches by the manufacture OF
petitions. He seeks for subjects for re-
form prepares the blank petitions aa-
dressed TO congress. and sends the print
sd forms in bundles to various parts OF
the country making use OF church and
benevolent organizations. TIE petitions
are passed around. signed AMI mailed hack
to the senators and represent asives. to be
presented To congress, This goes on year
after year. From Washington public sem
,imens which Ands expression in petition
signing Is worked up. AM the petitions
come by the nsatlha Sful for supposed in-
nuence On legislation. The man who does
all this creates in che minds OF good peo-
pie n confidence in his usefulness. which
prompts them 10 contribute througs. their
organizations . handsome salary fer his
surps,rf ST Louis Globe Democrat