The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-08-06
LOBBYING CHARGED
Sensation Brought to Focus
in the Georgia Legislature.
INVESTIGATION IN ORDER
Resolution Adopted Defines the Crime
Of Lobbying and Calls for Prob
ina of Accusations Made on
Floor of House.

Charges Of lobbying" made openly
in the Georgia legislature, and the r1-
port of these charges by the newspa'
pers-accompanied in some Instances
by comment construed as rejecting
seriously upon the members of the
general assembly were responsible
for the senate's adoption, Thursday
morning, of a resolution calling for
Joint committee Of investigation. The
resolution was Immediately transmit
ted to the house, where 1t was refer
red to the committee on Judiciary.
The committee at it's meeting in the
afternoon adopted substitute for the
original resolution In which the word
ing of the original was someW..lt
changed. With the adoption OF either
set of resolutions, however, an inves-
tigation is assured.
Members of the senate discussed
the subject for an hour and then ~
practically unanimous vote adopted
the following resolution:
Whereas, the constitution of the
state of Georgia declares lobbying 10
be crime, and in pursuance OF this
conditional provision. the general as;
sembly has by legislative enactment,
defined lobbying to be any personal
solicitation of member of the gen.
eral assembly of this state during
session thereof by private interview,
or letter, or message, or other means
and appliances not addressed solely
to the judgment to favor or oppose oi
to vote for or against any bill, reso-
luton. report, OF claim pending or to
be introduced, in either branch there.
Of. by any person who misrepresenfs
the nature of his interest in the mat
ter to such members, or who Is en-.
ployed for a consideration by a per-
son or corporation interested in the
passage or defeat of such bill, reso'H.
ton, report, or claim for the purpose
Of procuring the passage or defeat
thereof. But this does not incluie
srch service as drafting petitions,
bills or resolutions, attending to the
taking Of testimony. collating fac:s,
preparing arguments and memorials,
and submitting them orally or In WRIT
ing to a committee or member of the
general assembly, and othei service
of like character intended to reach
the reason of the legislators. And as
prescribed as punishment for tine
violation Of this penal statute, con-
fnement in the penitentiary for not
less than one year nor more than five
years.
And whereas, it has been charged
by certain prominent and influential
members of the general assembly
'that lobbying does exist in this leg
islature, and that they know it to DO
true. but cannot prove 1t, because
these lobbyists know wnom. to ap-
proach. They seek only those whom
they know will not give them away;
that lobbyism may be broken up in
Georgia, but it will not be by the
members of the legislature" ..
And whereas, leading newspapers
of the state have commented upop
these charges.
And whereas, said charges are q re-
fiection and insult to those members
who seek to discharge their duty in
accordance with thessolemn oath ta-
ken by each member;
and whereas, it is me sense Of the
senate and the house cf representa-
tives that the charges hereinbefore
made should be fully investigated;
therefore, be it ...... H.. ....
Resolved by the senate, the house
concurring, That joint committee 5e
appointed, three from the senate, 10
be appointed by the president Of the
senate, and five from the house, to be
appointed by the speaker of the house,
to investigate these charges, with full
power to subpoena witnesses and com.
pei their attendance, and report Ill
evidence and findings to the general
assembly now in session, within one
week from this date.