The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-12-23
WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER %. 1908.
Lobbying.

j Lobbying. b
n The letter which Mr. y, B. Munford,
4 Of this city, addressed to the City Coun-
I, eli, and whcl, was published iii Yesterdays
paper. IS Of moro than passing Interest.
It is moro than personal comitiunica-
ton. for it deals with the situation IN
this city that must sooner or later COM
mand tho dovout consideration OF tho
people
1T appears that on December 18th MIR.
Munford appeared before tho Council as
attorney for the Southern Railway, Com
many, to ask for, his client the re-enact-
n1ent of two ordinances, under which. for
many, years, 1t had been given certain
train privileges on the streets OF Ricn-
mond. The ordinances had been pend
ing In the Council for more than twelve
months. and Mr.. Munford ascertained
that three legitimate grounds Of opposi-
tino had been expressed by some OF tho
members Of the Council to-wlt: The fall
ure Of tho company to pay delinquent
taxes, duo BY the e.. G. Mayo estate on
a piece OF property which 1t had pur-
chased OF the court and the purchase
money deposited Herewith: the opposi-
ton of certain merchants unless the
ordinances wcr.s amended. and lastly
the suggestion that the company should
be compelled to bring Its general offices
to Richmond
Mr., Muntord was further Informed that
form limitations heretofore mado TO the
oflicials OF the company by parties out
side Of the Council, these latter would
secure a specdys enactment OF these ordi-
RANGES. II they were paid for their ser
vices. and in default Of which their oppo-
sition might be expected.
# lie was likewise advised that the Off
GERS Of the company had decided not TO
seek in any way to influence the action
of the Council except by an open prescn-
tation of the merits Of the measures.
Mr. Munford proceeds:
II took charge of tho ordinances and
was the recipient Of tho utmost courtesy
at The hands Of the members OF the Street
/ Committee, before whom they were pend
ing-both the subcommittee and the gem
eral committce-who, In due time. re-
val, back to your body.
ION tho Saturday preceding the meet
Ing above referred to, ] met by chance a
friend, who was we'll acquainted with tho
location Of these tracks and their great
Importance to the business enterprises
q situated in that section of the city. IN
some way the tsubject came up. ana
a knowing his large mountaineering IN
1he Council, I requested him to present
tho merits and Importance of the meas
ure 10 such of the members as he might
know, and to inform me II lie could find
Il out what were the objections then being
4 urged to their adoption. all Of which ne
very kindly agreed to do, on the nGht
OF the meeting Of tho Council this gentle
Il man informed me that there were parties
on the outside Of the bodies who felt that
they ought to he paid for ther services
In securing the passage o! these ordi-
4 nances: that "the boys as no expressed
It, would turn in and exert their Influence
II the company would pay them, told
my friend that the company proposed &c
i DO nothing III the kind, though ], o!
course, appreciated the kind motive
which prompted him to give me this In
tfnation.
"a few minutes later ! met an nc
uuaintance In the lobby OF tho City Hal
q and. In reply TO a question as to VII,
was attending the meeting of the Coun
j
the regret that the matter had given m!
mariners and myself so much trouble
h He ther.upon said that if he had beer
employed all this trouble could have beef
saved. and the ordinances could hav
been put through. l told him that hat
no authority to employ any one, and tina
was satisfied that the company woul
not do so. 4 few minutes later one
and possibly two members Of the Coun
y ell came up, with some outsiders, ant
allusgon being made to my mission, Thu
same party expressed to the councilme
in my presence his OPPOSITION to the or
dinanc,ss, avowinE that the company
referred to-
Mr. Munford does not give tho nam
OF this acquaintance and wo know no
who lie is, but he is one OF class OF me
In Richmond whose business II seems I
be to act as tho paid lobbyists OF corpC
rations and work for or against som
pending measure in the Council for til
pay which they receive. Manifeslly,
matters not to professional lobbyls
whether the measure he for or agains
the cIty's interests; IL he is paid for h
services he works for It; IL he is M
paid his opposition may be expected.
g Ard the worst part OF II all is that II
paid lobbyist see ems, In tbs eyes OF son
ssof the corporations, to be worth his hir
Evidently corporations value his service
5.f otherwise they would not employ hr
1T mas been stated time and again hi
suck lobbyists have been employed ar
handsomely paid BY corporations TIN
were asking for franchises or for 9th
legislation In their interest But Il
public would like to knew why It
necessary for. a. corporation. or for an !
Alytdual 10 employ lobbyist To p