The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-09-14
HOUSE OF COMMONS LOBBYISTS.

dent of The Chicago Record
HOUSE OF COMMONS LOBBYISTS.
The lobbyist at the House of Commons
IS an essentially modern product. Par
| llamentarians of former age knew
| him not. They did very well without
MIN, and perhaps never even suspected
that he was destined to be created But
with the quickened interest in the pro-
ceed1ngs of Parliament which followed
upon widened franchise and a cheap
ened press, there came desire for a
stlll closer link between the House of
commons and the organs of public opn-
ION. Reporters in the gallery could hear
well enough what was said in Parlia-
ment, but as language was given-es-
pecially to Ministers--to enable men to
conceal their thoughts, it occurred to
somebody that it might be useful if the
press We're permitted to invade the
sacred precincts of the members lobby
and find out what was really in the
mind of the House of Commons. Wheth-
themselves or with the invaders is
matter of no Importance Anyhow, the
lobbyist walked down stairs one fine
day, and he has been recognized as part
and parcel of the British constitution
ever since.
There is a common impression that
the lobby representative of a newspaper
has nothing to do but listen to the con-
fidences of memers of the cabinet and
fend off a crowd of unofficial memers
who desire to deluge him with infOrma-
ton. This is only partly true. Now
and then a cabinet minister does cross
the lobby, but in nine cases out of ten
he wears a worried Don't speak to
me" look which secures him an imme-
date passage, even through groups of
his own supporters They remember
that the great man has just answered
or essayed to answer, a series of embar-
RAISING questions, and they assume that
he has spent the earlier hours of the
day in unravelling the knots tied for
him by the kind hearted officials of his
department Pity, therefore, goes out
to him, and nobody would willingly add
to his burden of care. But Ministers
have their happier and less busy mo-
ments, and sometimes they are the pos
SCISSORS of news which, for various rea-
sons, it is desirable to make public
without delay. Then come the lobby
lists opportunity. He secures informa-
ton which circumstances do not per-
NIT to be announced in the House il
self, and he is able to write something
which the next morning will be read
with peculiar interest The occasion
may not often arise. So much the more
need consequently, for turning it to the
best account when 1t does present itself,
Unofficial members of the House may
have news TO impart. but ii is not al
ways of overwhelming Importance
There are, for instance, those who have
a political axe to grind, and who lose no
opportunity which may serve their
purpose They are not to be blamed
for they are only paying their tribute
to the power to the press. But the lob
byist needs TO be on his guard. He |
must diligently weigh the information
which comes to him unsought for it is
his business to reflect the real mood of
He must not attach undue |
Importance to what may at best be a |
mere will o the wisp. On the other !
hand, he cannot be like Mr. Toots, and |
declare that its of no consequence, |
when there are premonitory symptoms |
If what may ultimately prove to be a |
serious political emeute. He must keep !
MS finger on the pulse of Parliament, |
and any sudden accession of tempera
ure demands his immediate notice. He |
nay be told that, although the political !
thermometer has gone up it Is only
sign of temporary feverishness, but if |
le is wise he will not be lulled into
sense Of false security. If a partisan on
me side of the House tells him one
hing about the condition of the body
1olitic he will, for safety's sake, call
witness from the other side and fear
What he also hasl to say. In word
he lobbyist must preserve independ-
nee of mind and of judgment against
III comers.-London Telegraph.