Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-02-22

sault. The legislature owes II to itself.
as far as possible, to stop the lavish ex-
penditure of moneys ostensibly for SER
vice In connection with the support of
or opposition to bills, generally believ-
ed to be used for corrupt purposes. The
legislature should free itself from the
stigma which now attaches to the pro-
gress OF measures affecting important
interests. The laws against bribery and
corruption, offenses which are difficult
OF proof are sufficiently stringent, but
an effort should be made to strike at
the root Of the evil by requiring under
proper penalties full publicity with re-
gard to moneys expended in connection
with matters before the legislature.
Corporations should be required to keep
accounts and vouchers, In which all
such payments should he fully detailed
and receipted for. and an adequate
statement regarding them should form
part of such reports as may be requir-
ed.
AUTHORIZED EXPENDITURE. ,
In the case of insurance corporations
the remedy lies, first, generally within
the requirement of proper AUTHORIZE
ton of all expenditures and vouchers,
stating In detail the purposes for which
moneys paid for legal expenses In con-
nection with legislative matters have
been expended. And, further. the COM
pany should be compelled to set forth
In its annual statement to the super
intendent Of insurance all sums so dis
bursed, giving the names of payees the
amounts paid and the specific purpose
of the payment.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES,
Professional services in promoting
legislation may be entirely honorable
and are frequently necessary. We are
not inclined to recommend legislation
on this subject which viii interfere
with the presentation to n legislator OF
the views OF his constituents, or OF citi-
citizens generally, but we know that
where legislation is promoted or OPP
posed by paid professional advocates
the matter should be the subject of
suitable regulation
SHOULD AMEND LAW.
The committee therefore recon-
mends that the legislative law be 40
amended that every person retained
or employed for compensation as coun-
sci or agent to promote or oppose the
passage of bills or resolutions by either
house or executive approval OF such
measures shall, before entering upon
the service, file in the Office of the sec
rotary OF state a writing stating tho
name or names Of his employer, togeth-
er with brief description OF the legis-
lative matter In reference to which the
service Is to be rendered The secre-
tary OF state should re re-
quired to keep docket to be
known as the docket of legis-
lative appearances, with appropriate
blanks and indices in which the name
Of counsel and agent may be properly
entered. Fees contingent on legislative
action should be prohibited. II should
also be made the duty Of every corpora
ton and association doing business In
the state within two months after the
adjournment of the legislature 60 file
with the secretary OF state an itemizei
statement duly verified showing In de-
tail all expenses paid or incurred In con-
nection with legislation pending az the
last session, including all disbursements
or compensation paid or payable to
counsel or agents.
Exception may he made OF the duly
accredited counsel OF municlpalt lee,
public boards and public institutions
and Of the ordinary professional SER
vices In drafting bills or advising eli
ents as to the construction and effect
OF proposed or pending legislation
where the professional service is not
otherwise connected with legislative
action. Violation of the law should
be made a misdemeanor and the fail
ure to file the statements required
should subject the offender to appro-
pirate penalties.