The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-12-07
COMMONS LOBBYISTS
They Have Ready Recognition IN the
House Under the British
Constitution.


mons is an essentially modern product.
Parliamentarians Of former age knew
him not. They did very wen without
him and perhaps never even suspected
that he was destined 10 be created. But
with the quickened interest in the pro-
eeedings Of parliament which followed
upon widened franchise and cheap
ened press, there came desire for a
/ closed link between the house of COM
mons and the organ Of public opinion.
Reporters in the gallery could hear
well enough what was said in parlia-
ment, but as language was given
especially TO ministers--to enable men
to conceal their thoughts, it occurred
10 somebody that it might be useful
If the press were permitted TO invade
the sacred precincts of the members
lobby and find out what was really in
the mind of the house of commons.
Whether the idea originated with the
members themselves or with the invad-
ers is a matter of no importance. twas
probably a case of six of one and half
dozen Of the other. Anyhow, the
lobbyist walked downstairs one fine
day and he has been recognized as part
and parcel of the British constitution
ever since.
There Is common impression that
the lobby representative of a news
paper has nothing to do but listen to
the condolences of members of the cabi-
net and fend off a crowd of Unofficial
members, who desire to deluge him
with information. This is only partly
true. Now and then a cabinet minis
ter does cross the lobby, but in nine
cases out of ten he wears a worried
Don 't-speak-to-me" look, which Sc
cures him an immediate passage, even
through groups Of his own supporters.
They remember that the great man has
just answered, or essayed TO answer,
series of embarrassing questions and
they assume that he has spent the
earlier hours of the day unrayeling the
knots tied for him by the kind-hearted
officials of his department. Pity, there
fore, goes out TO him and nobody would
willingly add to his burden Of care.
But ministers have their happier and
less busy moments, and sometimes they
are the possessors of news which, for
various reasons, it is desirable to make
public without delay. Then comes the I
lobbyists opportunity. He secures in 4
formation which circumstances do not f
permit 10 be announced in the house
itself and he is able to write something I
which the next morning viii be read
with peculiar interest. The occasion
may not often arise. So much the more
need. consequently, for turning it to
the hest account xhen it does present
itself.
Unofficial members Of the house may
have news TO impart but it is not al
ways Of Overwhelming Importance. +
There are. for instance, those who have
a political ak to grind and who lose no
which may serve their pur-
pose. They are not to be blamed, for
they are only paying their tribute to
the power OF the press. But the lobby
ut ICeAS ~ DC ou HIS AdAA. 4AC must
weigh the information which comes 10
him unsought, for it is his business to
reflect the real mood Of parliament.
he must not attach undue Importance
10 what may at best be a mere will-o'-
Lhe-wisp. On the other hand. he cannot
be like Mr.. Toots and declare that sits
IF no consequence" when there are
premonitory symptoms Of what may
prove 10 be a serious po-
itical emeute. He must keep his fin
ger on the pulse of parliament, and any
sudden accession of temperature de-
naDds his immediate notice. He may
'e told that. although the political ther-
has gone up, it is only a sign
If temporary feYerishness. but If he
S wise he will not be lulled into a sense
# false security. If a partisan on one
ide Of the house tells him one thing
bout the condition Of the body polite
lie viii, for safety's sake, call witness +,
rom the other side and hear what he
las also TO say. In word, the lobbyist
must preserve independence OF mind
nd Of judgment against all comers.-
.ondon Telegraph.