The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-05
Where 1t Holds Out.

Iempl6 nat, rather swell olympia
rooming house, has become noted as the
place where the railroad lobby holds forth
and does business. The entire first floor
is usually leased. The two big front rooms
are used as lounging place, where
whisky, cigars and beer are free to every
body-member of the legislature, politi-
clan, CRATER, rounder, heller or respec-
table citizen who cares to drop in and
spend a pleasant evening.
Back of the front rooms the chief lob
byists have sleeping rooms which are
used as Consultation rooms. Here mem
bers of the legislature are taken when
1T is desired to have very particular and
confidential "chat.'' 90,
The other rooms on the floor are given
up to retainers, and-this is almost un-
believable, but it is true-to members Of
the legislature. particularly to senators
who are close to the lobby, for sleeping
rooms. Certain counties in this state
would be shocked to know that their sena-
tors were furnished living apartments,
rent free, by the railroad lobby.
In the evening motley crowd assemblies
in the big front rooms. The lower func-
tionaries of the lobby are usually there,
along with members of the Legislature,
and men of all avocations, precarious and
day, and "booze" is dispensed freely.
no" II ~COntEOASs
The railroad lobby aims to control the
senate. 1t is interested merely, in defeat
ing legislation, and to do that the control
of only one body is necessary. The meth
DDS adopted to secure control Of a majority
of the senate vary widely. 49, a~,.. T.
In the first place, the railroad lobbyists
endeayor by manipulation to secure the
nomination and election, through the reg
ular party channels, of as many senators
| as possible. This is done in the regular
primary manner. ...... s.,
There is another class Of senators who
will be approached during the campaign,
turn for which they pledge themselves, to
vote against antirailroad legislation.
third class is reached through their
friends" If the railroads want the vote
of a certain senator they will induce some
| two or three, of his constituents to come
| to Olympia and pay their expenses and a
per diem. These men will argue with
| their senator that the interests Of his
| home community are identical with those
! Of the railroad, and assure him he will
| not suffer in public estimation if he votes
with the railroad.
Senators Held Up.
If the railroad lobby controls the lieu
tenant governor, senators are promised
SOOu COIuMlCLet pAdCcS IL Cuoy Will VOL0
as the lobby dictates. Others are '.held
| up Suppose a senator wants bill
! passed of interest to his constituents. 1t
is referred to committee. The chairman
| of that committee, perhaps, is man
| whom the lobby controls. The senator
who introduced tho bill is informed by
the lobby that unless he votes against a
the aforesaid chairman will ''pigeon hole''
his bill. He is confronted with a. choice
between voting as the lobby wishes or go
ing home without having the measure
passed which his constituents want.
What is he to do? ,z.
Men are bought outright only as last
resort. If other votes are needed than
the ones secured in the manner already
| described, a doubtful member is seduced
| up into railroad headquarters, given
lots of whisky and cigars, his weak points
"felt out" and then he is taken in hand
by buyer of votes, who "negotiates''
with him. In all these ways majority
of the senate is usually secured
! Governor Mcbride in his recent declara-
| ton, accused the railroads of "subordi-
mating every other interest to their own. -
| To those who have observed the railroad
! lobby under full steam this sentence is
| perfect in its meaning.
Last Sessions Disgrace.
In the earlier days of statehood the
lobby was moro quiet in It's actions than
it is now. Headquarters were not kept
SO openly; deals were made with more Sc
crecy and an effort was made to conceal
| the underworkings as much as possible
But at the last session the lobby was an
open running sore. It did business al
most in the sight of all mankind There
was fanfare of trumpets waving of
banners. Men did not apparently care
whether their relations with the lobby
| were known or not
Governor Says "No Quarter
Governor Mcbride has avowed his in
tention to make everlasting war on the
professional debauchers of men. Here
is what he says:
The good name Of the state demands
that the railroad lobby as lobby be
stamped out of existence, and in the fight
against that lobby and it's methods no
quarter will be asked or given.
Moreover, in private. conversation, the
governor has declared his int ention to
.'drive the railroad lobby out of Olympia. !"
That fight promises to be an interesting
one, and before it is over dry bones are