The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-28
HOUSE OF COMMONS LOBBYISTS.
fhey Occupy 81 Distinctive Place Pc
culiar Alone in EngIaud

RthuF IN EnEtHnus
The lobbyist at the house OF commons IS
an essentially modern product Parl.amen-
taTlans o. former age knew him not.
Iaey did very we'll without him. and per
haps never even suspected that ne was
destined % ne created But with the quick
,ned interest in the proceedings OF parlia-
ment which followed upon a widcued fran
ehis- and cAeapcrei praSs there came
desire Tor c.osed fink between the
house ot commons ana the organ of public
opinion Reporters IN the gallery could
near We'll enough what was sai1 in par
lament tut as language was Eiyen-es-
pscialty 90 Minister'S enable men 20
conceal their thoughts II occurred 70 some
body that IL mlEht be useful II the press
were permitted % invade the sacred pre-
7incts OK the members lobby and find 1ut
what was really in the mind % the house
q commons. Whether the idea originated
with the members themselves or with Tho
invaders Is a matter Of no Importance. It
was probably case of six OF one ana half
dozen o. the other. Anyhow the lobby
Isl walked downstairs one fine DAY and
TIE has been recognized as part and parcel
of the British constitution ever since
There Is common impression that the
'ohey representative OF a newspaper has
nothing 70 DO bat listen 20 the condolences
~ members OF the cabinet and fenI of
crowd Of Unofficial members who desire 10
deluge him with Information This is only
rarity true. Now and then cabinet min
ster does cross the lobby but IN nine
cases out " ten he wears worried don't
Speak-to-me" look. which secures him i'm
mediate passage, even through groups Of
MS own supporters They remember that
The great man has Just answered. or es-
saved 10 answer. O series Of embarrassing
questions. and they assume thar ne has
spent the earlier hours OF the day unrav-
ing me knots tied for him NY the kind
hearted officials o. his department.
Pity, therefore, goes out to him and no.
BODY would willingly add % HIS burden OF
care, But ministers have their happier and
less busy movements, and sometimes they
are the possessors OF news which Tor yar.-
Gus reasons. il is desirable to make public
without delay. Then comes the lobbyists
opportunity He secures information which
circumstances DO not permit 70 be an
nounced I'm the house itself and he is able to
write something which the next morning
will be read with peculiar interes.. The oc-
casion may not often arise So much the
more need, consequently for turning II 10
the best account when IL does present itself
Unofficial members Of the house may have
news % impart. hut Il is not always OF
overwhelming Importance There are. FOR
instance those who have a political ax 10
grind and who lose no opportunity which
may serve their purpose They are not TO be
blamed for they are only having their
tribute 90 The power Of the press But the
lobbyist needs o he on his guard He must
weigh he Information which comes to him
unsought FOR u Il. his business 70 reflect the
real mood " parliament He must not at
rach undue Importance 70 what may at best
he "a mere will o. The wisn. on the other
hand, Dee cannot be Ike Mr. Toots and De-
clare that It's OF no consequence" when