New-York tribune., 1899-06-11
THE PETITION INDUSTRY.
A wELL-KNOwN BUSINESS IN WASHINGTON
WHICH GIVES ONE MAN GOOD LIVING.


WHICH GIVES ONE MAN A GOOD LIVING.
Washington correspondence Of The St Louis
Globe Democrat
The petition industry is booming In the in
dexinS Of the Congressional Record for the ses-
sion Just closed man is handling nothing
but the petitions. Day after day he sits at his
desk making up the catalogue Of prayers OF the
people II ne finishes his stint by the time the
rest Of the index is ready for the printer he
will realize expectations. Most men in Congress
formally recognize expression Of the right OF
petition II they receive petitions they intro
duce them. Some years ago when he was in
the Senate. Nr Sherman presented a petition.
The request conveyed therein was at vari-
ance with the senator's known convictions that
newspaper man asked him what he meant
Nothing" was the reply; nothing at all
recognize the right of petition and ! put in the
request without regard TO my opinion on the
subject. I DO not consider myself in any way
committed by such action"
Back Of the right or petition is political his
tory and evolution OF government The first
amendment TO the Constitution Of the United
States declared right of petition. Put the pres
ent petition industry was not contemplated in
the long contest between rulers and people
which ended in acknowledgement OF the right OF
petition
Within the memory Of present officials OF
Congress petitions have multiplied one hundred
fold Where there were ten petitions twenty
years ago there are a thousand now Petitions
have ceased 10 represent the voluntary exercise
OF the right. They are now a product Of Ameri-
product Is increasing makes it only a question
Of time when Congress will adopt measures to
discourage IL il cannot repress the exercise.
Mere printing Of the petitions by title has be-
come a serious item OF expense. The House no
longer wastes time with the public presentation
Of these petitions but provides box into which
they are dropped. On the back pages Of the
Record the briefest possible daily list Of the
tents OF the box appears The Senate still per-
mits the Introduction Of these petitions, but Will
hardly do much longer Last session the read
ing OF the petitions by titles consumed much
time and many columns Of the proceedings.
The manufacture Of petitions IS a matter q
pride and profit with those who conduct it.
There Is one man in Washington who writes
Rev" before his name and ID. D." after. who
earns an income equal to that paid many pas
tors OF metropolitan churches by the manu-
facture Of petitions. He seeks for subjects for
reform prepares the blank petitions addressed
20 Congress and sends the printed forms IN
bundles to various parts Of the country, max
ing use Of church and benevolent organizations
The petitions are passed around, signed ana
mailed back to the Senators and Representa-
tives 20 be presented TO Congress. This goes
on year after year From Washington public
sentiment which finds expression in petition
signing, is worked up, and the petitions come
by the mailbagful. for supposed influence on
legislation. The man who does al this creates
in the minds of good people confidence in his
usefulness. which prompts them to contribute
through their organizations q handsome salary
for his support