New-York tribune., 1905-01-10
LOBBYING H CRIME.
Governor Folk of Missouri Aduo-
Gates Lac Making 1t Such.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TR1BUNE.I

/ jefferson City, Mo- Jan. 9-Joseph w Folk
was naugurated Governor of Missouri to-day
and in the address he delivered after the oath
/ of office had been administered he made one of
the strongest pleas ever heard in this capital
for purity and integrity in public life. He said
| that the sale OF law "enthroned iniquity and
rendered lawful government impossible"
! The Governor also asserted that professional
lobbying should be made a crime. and among
other things he said
Partisknshp is 4 good thing sometimes. but
patriotism Il better. Partsonship is we'll
enough when ii does not conflict with patriot
/ ism; but patriotism is higher virtue than par
tisanship. Some of you are Democrats, some
are Republicans. but all are Missourians
When you come before the people 10 give
account of your stewardship the account must
he for public service. and not for party work.
Your party nominated you. the people elected
you and sent you here to serve the public. and
by that service You will reflect credit or dis
credit on your party. You are here as legisla-
tors, not as politicians.
If there be any corruption during this session
of the General Assembly. il would be a dis
grace to the State and a reflection on every
in this body. and upon every official in
the State government. II is too often the ten
dency of good men i'm legislative bodies to close
their eyes 10 things of this nature, satisfied with
their own honesty, but forgetting that it is as
much their duty 10 protect and defend the honor
of the State as it is their own honor.
The legislator who sells his vote trafIics in the
honor of a sovereign people and prostitutes the
trust reposed in Eim. There can be no offence
which If allowed TO go on, is fraught with
graVer consequences. 1t is more fatal to civic
life than any other crime, for II pollutes the
stream OF law at its source. II makes the pas
sage Of laws mere matters of bargain and sale
thWartS Justice. enthrones iniquity and renders
lawful government impossible. If all official
acts were for sale. would have a government
not of, for and by the people, but a government
OF, for and by the few with wealth enough TO
purchase official favor. II is the highest duty
of every legislator. of every official and OF every
citizen. 10 do all that he to era dicate this
evil, which is the greatest enemy free govern
ment and the greatest danger that confrun s The
nation to-day.
II is not always by taking money that an off,
cial may prostitute his trust. He does it when
ever he uses the power given him TO be exer-
cised for the public good for any other purpose.
An official embezzle public power as well as
public money. One in public office has no more
right 10 use official powers for personal ends
than he would have 10 put his hands into the
public treasury TO pay private debt.
In order 10 aid in the investigation of rumors
OF corruption laws should be enacted compelling
witnesses to testify TO their knowledge Of
bribery transactions and exempting such wit
nesses from prosecution for any matters di-
rectly Indirectly growing out of such testi-
mOny.
When a legislator accepts pass ha puts II i'm
the knowledge Of the representative of Ihe rail-
road that he has violated the law and : subject |
to indictment. This knowledge lie used by
the railroad representative TO club the legislator
into submission 10 corporate interests.
1t is proper that railroads and all interests !
quasi public and public. should have the right /
TO appear before legislative committees and pre-
bill They likewise should have the privilege of |
addressing the individual legislators In proper .
way.
The maintenance of n professional lobby breeds |
corruption and should not be permitted Pro-
fessionai lobbying should be made crime