The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-16
sherlock Holmes Legislation.

There are domesticated Southdown or
Black Berkshire intellects occasionally
which fall foul OF evils in the organization
of society. or in the sound business
methods" of practical politics. and pro-
coed TO overcome the same in ways which
are appropriate to the mental processes of
reformers. We are reminded of this truth
by a story which comes from that centre
of political virtue. Albany. in the State Of
New York
For more years than any living man can
count, the fruitful local capital in question
has been the scene Of more practical poll
tics than would cover the superficial area
of hades for the matter of a mile square
This is a common belief. The facts are
perhaps more fully within the knowledge
of Senator Plat and others who have
watched legislative wickedness with sys-
tematic purpose. and Of course, from afar;
but the general public is also not without
some inkling OF the real state of affairs.
One can almost see the iconoclastic hand
Of Plat. a Quigg, or a Payn in the bill
which has been introduced in the New
York Legislature to bring the lobby with
in the control Of the law making power,
If not OF the law itself The most unique
measure OF State legislative history is
now on the tapis. 1t provides that lob
byists shall register their names. TO-
gether with the bills they are retained"
to promote. and that, within thirty days
after the adjournment Of the legislature
fbex shall ,aror- ,suda- nath any eYtrug NJ
money they may have received and any
sums they may have disbursed, in con-
nection with their services; all principals
and beneficiaries 10 be given up.
In remote settlements, where hayseed
is the fashionable capillary ornament. it
may be understood that this great scheme
of reform will kill out the lobby. But
elsewhere the bill will be hailed with de-
light as a means OF compelling lobbyists
TO tote fair" with their principals. 1t
would not be difficult for corporations or
interests confident OF their legislative
agents TO put forward dummies entirely
capable of registration and the later oath
OF service and compensation. who could
effectually cover the real ''boodlers " On
the other hand, where the proponent com
bination entertained some suspicion OF the
statesman who was to represent its anx-
iety to obtain given legislation and, in
cidentally, to disburse the expenses OF
the effort, it would be very convenient TO
have him recorded, and afterxard to su-
peryise his oath of compensation. lit
tie whiphold OF perjury might be Sc
cured in case he should develop the not
unusual lobby instinct OF private pecu-
lation.
Hence. while we regard the Albany prop
osition as one liable to much depTess the
lobby interest. we are compelled TO think
that It will, If enacted into law, be a
deterrent influence from the inside rather
than from the outside.
Nothing OF the kind would work in
Washington. We have no lobbyists"
here All the individuals who would be
considered as such in Albany, at the Ma
tional Capital are parliamentary lawyers.
practicing before the committees Of Con-
gress and in the departments. There ere
plenty OF the class who never saw the in
side Of a court of record, municipal, State,
or Federal who, nevertheless. manage to
get admitted TO the bar Of the District
and OF the United States Supreme Court.
After that they cannot be accused Of lob
hying. and their bar practice is antece-
IDENTIFY legitimate enough, for it is gen.
orally confined to the forums Of the Ar
llngton, chamberlin's, the Shoreham, the
Normandie. Wizards, and such places.
AS we hope we have made it plain to
the weakest intellect, there is vast
amount of political humbug in Albany,
and not any whatever in Washington.