The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1902-11-01

a
self and with his constituents. But in
the government which should be repre-
sentative to the will of the people, they
have the right TO know why their will,
as expressed under the constitution and
the laws of the commonwealth, has been
thwarted and baked.
| shall speak of the action Of the Leg
islature as n whole in its position upon
these questions which are Of such great
public interest,
| shall speak OF the conduct OF the lob
by and its influence upon those measures
and the methods by which it influences
md controls legislation.
Statement of Assemblyman Hall
Hon. A. x. Hall of Dunn county.
whose long practical experience, IN
Chased interest and strict integrity are
known 10 all men in this state, says over
his own signature:
ut was boastfuly stated by repre-
sentative OF one Of the railway compa-
MES just after the defeat Of the railroad
taxation bills at the last session Of the
Legislature, that no bills had been en-
acted into law during the sixteen years
last past in the interests Of the people
when objected to by the railroads"
Mr.. Hall says further Of this state
ment by the lobbyist: 'He spoke the
truth and ought to have added" says
Mr.. Hall, that no measure, no matter
how dana ging 10 the interests Of the
people, failed to become a law if wanted
by the railways"
Statement Of Assemblyman Lenroot
Hon Irving l.. LenrOOt of Douglas
county, one OF the ablest and most faith
ful members of the last Legislature,
whose name is a guarantee for the truth
Of anything he says, throws some light
on the defent of the railroad bills in
written communication, from which ]
quote as follows:
From the FIRST day Of the session the
railroad lobbyists We're on th" ground IN
force, offering Cuurtcsies and entertain
mputs Of various kinds to the members.
Bribery is Il hard word, a charge which
should never be made unless it can be
substnntatcd The writer has no per
sonal knowledge of money being actuuly
offered or received for votes against the
bill. 1t was. however, generally under
stood in the Assembly thnt any member
favoring the bill could better his fnan-
clal condition If he was willing to vote
against il.
Members were approached by repre-
sentntiyes OF the companies and offered
lucrative positions This may not have
been done with any dcn of influencing
votes. The reader may draw his own
conclusion. 1t was a matter OF common
tiBl lfNEf lilui IblIbuN HIlt'NEf ''llil ne
procured il a member was right Rail
road lands could be purchased very
chenply by members Of the Legislature.
II was said If a member would get into
q poker game with lobbyist, the mem
Der was sure to win. Members opposed
TO Gov. La Toilette were urged to vote
against the bill because he wanted II TO
pass. \ prominent member stated that
he did not dare 10 vote for the bill. be
I.. ttFf,B al hA - tl,, Ti,t1
road companies and he was afraid they
would ruin his business by increasing his
rates IL he voted for IT."
"Surh were some Of the methods en-
ployed to defeat the bill" suys Assem-
blyman Lcuroot hut il the whole truth
were known he goes On to say. 1.-THE
righteous indignation OF the people Of the
state would make itself felt" aud mil
ions could be spent where "thousuuds'
now are without accomplishing any re
suits
Statement of Assemblyman Evans.
Hon David Evans, Jr. of Wnushara
county, another strong, conscientious and
conservative member, states in a public
address TO his constituents with respect
10 the forces nrruycd against these meas.
Ures aud the methods they employed 10
Nrfcat them, the following;
members of this combination stopped
ut uO vile means "a accomplish their
ends. bvbAuChvry IN various forms WAS
tried upon members OF the Legislature
In order to scducc them from their du;y
or incupartatc them from voting at crit
itnl times. Gamblers laid IN whit for
some in order to gel them 10 gamble I'm
a gnmC In which there was no pussinii-
ity OF winning They muupuyurrd TO
make them contract debts OF honor for
the payment Of which they had uu mcaus
"a IN -. ..t