The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1903-09-24

commanders OF the continental army,
yet after having distinguished himself
for courage hundred times. Benedict
Arnold became a traitor. Neverthe-
less. the faithful officers and soldiers
of the Continental army saw the ban
ner of England supplanted by the
Flag of Freedom upon the battle
ments of Yorktown. Those who re-
manned faithful were not condemned
because one wretch had sold his honor
THE CORRUPT LOBBY MUST GO.
But, my countrymen, II corruption
is to be finally eradicated we must
attack the evil at its source. The
knife must go to the root of the can.
Ger. The corrupt lobby must be driven
from municipality, State and Nation.
On July 4th, in public speech,
said this and added, THAT worse than
the bride taker is the bride giver. be-
cause more dangerous" | stand upon
that statement.
Back of all boodling is the effort
OF some one to gain an unjust priv
ilege or escape just demand. either
through legislation or the lassitude or
ignorance of some officer According.
ly, the officer or legislator is cajoled
with flattery, awed by power or may
even be corrupted. In any event, the
people are cheated.
The existence of an organized lobby
at the State Capitol during the recent
sessions Of the General Assembly is
a matter of common knowledge. Os-
feasibility this lobby was engaged in
protecting the railway corporations
from what they were pleased to term,
unjust legislation. The charge has
been publicly made that these "legisla-
tive agents" inspire bills attacking
various business interests in order to
compel their employment to prevent
the enactment into laws of the very
measures they themselves originated.
Nor are they thus satisfied. When
wholesome legislation is proposed by
an honest legislator, these wolves are
ready to pounce upon 1t, and by pre-
venting its passage compel If possible
its honest author to withdraw his op-
position to some unjust measure in
order that his own bill may pass. So
the members of the lobby soon become
mere Hessians ready for any employ
ment. experienced in evil, skilled in
deceit, it is but necessary that they
find few plant tools among the
members of the legislature in order
to exert powerful influence upon
legislation.
They become the purveyors of
legislative poison. They tempt the
weak; they trap the unwary;
they meet in the dark, conspire
behind closed doors and plot while
honest men sleep. They combine the
cunning Of the fox. the appetite OF
the wolf and the subtlety of the spider
with the instincts of the hyena. When
it is necessary their touch is as soft
as the gloved hand of a woman. If
1t suits their purpose they can de-
stroy without pity. Their voices can
be as tender as the whispers of love
lorn maiden in the ear of her sweet
heart and they can utter threats with
the hiss of a serpent. They pro-
nounce eulogies upon virtue which
would do credit to a saint, and shed
crocodile tears over the misfortunes
of the victim whom they have dragged
to the gates of perdition. But at all
times and in all seasons they are the
enemies of society, of law, of order
and of good government. They are
the most dangerous conspirators
against the Republic.
The professional legislative lobby
list is such a combination and har-