New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-10
"REFoRMTNG" THE LOBBY.

II this State were really any longer governed
by its constitutional officers law regulating the
employment of lobbyists such as is being talked
about might do some good. Out in Wisconsin,
where republican government still exists in fact
as we'll as In form, licensing lobbyists is said to
restrain their operations within legitimate lines
Of legislative promotion. But does anybody
seriously believe that any such system would
be of the slightest avail in New-York, with it's
Legislative Trust? Every lobbyist plain or dis
gused as TN eminent corporation lawyer, might
be forbidden to come within ten miles of Albany
and the sale of law would go on just the same,
and anybody who knows anything about the sub
ject knows it perfectly well. And politicians who
pretend anything else are simply trying to fool
people with an empty enactment and to throw
a sop to Virtue without in any way disturbing
their profitable business. In fact, the more they
can make lobbying with individual legislators at
Albany difficult the more they will consolidate
their own power as managers OF the sole clear
ing house of legislative favors, and fix more
firmly than ever their clutches on corporations
The chief menace to the permanence of our
present system of government by 1.-The organiza-
ton" is the possibility that its profits may tempt
ambitious individuals in Senate and Assembly
to set up for themselves and enter into personal
relations with customers.
The notion that the real lobbying is done in AL
bany and with members of the Legislature is out
of date. Ii belongs in the political museum with
discussions over the Missouri Compromise. We
are in another stage of constitutional develop
ment. The real centre of State government is
the close circle over which Senator Plat pre-
sides. Where corporations used to send lobby
lists to Albany they now send campaign contri-
buttons to Mr.. Platt II Is all very well to talk
about enforcing publicity on lobbying at Albany,
but Mr.. Plat did not seem to court publicity for
his system OF government when he had a chance
to go on the witness stand last summer with
the possibility of being asked what contr-
buttons he received from corporations enjoy
ing legislative favors.
Suppose all lobbyists We're. registered and re-
quired to report on their receipts and expend-
lures, would that prevent eminent corporation
lawyers from going TO Albany in support OF
bills? Would it prevent Senators or Assembly
men or members of State boards from listening
with peculiar interest and conviction to the elo-
quence of the right firms? There is no use
lodging the plain fact. Every man with a
case at Albany knows how to get it most
favorably presented. just as every saloon
keeper who wants protection knows who can
best convince the authorities that he needs
no police restraint OF course, this ls not
lobbying 1t Is merely legal service to argue for
this bill or that grant 1t is perfectly legitimate
business. No man can say that any bride was
offered, any improper pressure brought TO bear
that anyhodys presentation of the same cause
would not be equally effective. And yet people
with the causes have come to think it makes all
the difference in the world whether or not they
get this legitimate service from lawyers close
to the organization" And 30 they make very