The Saint Paul globe., 1900-10-28
as OF political lawlessness, would soon
come to an end.
REGULATING THE LOBBY.


FROM time TO time we hear more or
less about the dangerous influence of e;ie
legislative lobby on American public
morals In every legislative assembly
from the American congress to the board
of aldermen of the growing city, the in
nuence of the lobby is supposed to be
more or less powerful; and the idea
winch the average citizen has of "the
third house is at best but vague and
far off. The term 'lobbist'' has, very
foolishly indeed, been generally accepted
as equivalent TO coEruptionist. The in
duence of the lobbyist has always been
looked upon as an evil one, while, as a
matter of fact, the lobbyist, even though
he be professional, often exercises a
most healthful influence on the progress
of legislation
1t was ex-speaker Reed. who when
some one was animadverting on the az
tivity of the lobby engaged in looking
after some measure before congress, ard
on its persistent approach of members for
the accomplishments of its ends, declared
that there were no. terrors for him in a
visit from lobbyist, adding: IF there
is anyone who knows more about given
bill than I do. I want to see him and
talk with him."
1t is this spirit which is calling into ex-
istence the conviction now finding general
expression that legislatures, and especial
ly congress, should regulate the lobby.
Ex-senator Edmunds, of Vermont, is re-
garded rightfully as one of the ablcst
legal minds in the country Years of ex-
perience in the senate and his broad reach
of learning have made him one of the
best informed men on subjects of legis-
lative interests in the entire country. His
time since his withdrawal from public
life has been given over mostly to the
pursuit of the hated calling of a lobby
ist. Yet there is no man In the entire
country who would be regarded as fur
ther above evil influence in his action
with reference to a given public measure
is recognized as one of the great and in
corruptible statesmen of his time.
The regulation of the lobby at Wash
ington and elsewhere IS a requirement OF
great Importance. We all recognize the
truth that corruption invades every
branch of our public life, and none with
such effect as the legislative station IF
we are ever to drive corrupt influences,
operating on the public servant under
ground it IS especially in the law making
department of government that we must
begin by some intelligent regulation Of
the practice of advocating or opposing
given measure while pending before the
legislature. l.s
Such a regulation now prevails in Mas
saehusetts. 1t Isl embodied in law; and
its great aim is to secure publicity. The
sergeant-at-arms.o of the Massachusetts
legislature is called on to keep two dock
cts, one embracing the name of counsel,
who appear before the different com
.mittees and the nature Of the. work they
a
are doing; and the other the names aid
addresses of general. Legislative agents
who are not attorneys, with similar de-
tails as to the special business in which
they are engaged and the names and ad-
dresses of their employers. Punishment
for wrong doing hyeanye counsel Oh. agent
embraces disbarment for at least three
years together with fine of from $1oa
to $1,0O0; and any employer who fails to
meet any of the requirements OF the law,
including sworn statement of the ex-
penses incurred by him in connection
with opposing or promoting legislation
is subject to a similar fine.
If such a regulation as this were gen
eral there would be less talk about the
corruption which characterizes American
public life, because there would be less
corruption. Publicity is ever the great
remedial agent in such cases. The lignt
of public scrutiny cannot be let in on
any public transaction without having
a decidedly cleansing effect. The career
OF theSe lobbyists VINO are corrupt1On1StS
pure and simple, would be brought to a
close, for only those who had authority
to act before the legislature could be
engaged, and no such man could continue
to follow the occupation of lobbyist who
was given over to the. utilization of
unworthy agencies in the conduct of his
business.
Congress could do act that would
be more promotive OF its own good name
than at its next session to pre-
scribe the terms and conditions on which
attorneys and others would be allowed
to appear before dts committees in sup
port of or in oppositIon to pending leg
islation. $