New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-24
[Ry Telegraph to me Tribunal

by Telegraph TO The Tribune.I
Albany, Jan. 23.-An attempt made to-day
to delay the passage Of Senator Marks's anti
grating" bill in the Senate. Bitter personal de-
nunciatiOn and ridicule marked the debate that
followed. The measure is direct attack at cor
rupt lobbying and bribery by corporations main
tanning Legislative agents." and because OF
this. many legislators see in the rallying to the
attack on the bill the influences of the organized
lobby against which Senator Marks is making
his fight
The debate. one Of the hercest in years. IN
which Senatorial courtesy was blown to the
winds by rancor ended in a draw. The bill
not advanced, but the effort to have it recon-
mitted TO committee was defeated.
The debate began when Senator Cassidy moved
10 have the bill. in general orders. recon-
mitted to the Codes Committee for a hearing.
Senator Marks, in defending his bin spoke OF
the 'pestent course OF corporation influence in
recent years." OF which he called the disclosures
OF the insurance investigation an instance. He
was sure no legislator had ever received bribe
money but present conditions gave opportunity
TO group Of cultures" men OF the Andy
Fields stamp. to blackmau corporations by trad
ing on the belief that legislators were for sale
senator Bracket, Senator Grady and Senator
Raines he said under the conditions which his
bill would bring about, would have no hesitancy
IN advocating the interests Of clients before
committees. even II their fees were published
Senator Grady in reply to this launched forth
into a stream Of vituperation. "Impertlnent'
was one OF his mildest terms. He Joined Senator
Cassidy IN declaring that the conduct OF the
Codes Committee IN reporting the bill was i'm
pertinent That brought Senator Elsberg chair
man OF that committee. into the fight with a
rush.
SENATOR MARKS'S DEFENCE
Senator Marks did not hesitate TO attack
yellow dog funds and public officials who
encouraged them by traffic with the corporations
which maintained them. He declared that at
this time. when the insurance disclosures had
laid bare the rottenness OF corporations with
legislative agents. shown in the Hamilton
case. any delay in applying a check was only
tempOrizing with the evil. His bill took in not
only the insurance companies. he said. but all
large corporations particularly the public ser
vice" corporations.
Il maintain" said he that the public is now
prepared to believe that any attempt to de-
lay action this bill is suspicious-that # win
be considered an attempt to defeat the meas
ure. There exists the belief that there IS a
regular system Of blackmaI here-a black
horse cavalry led by some captain hitherto un-
known. You never had as clear and clean an
accusation against public officers as was con-
tained in the testimony taken before the Insur-
ance Committee. It's not to be expected that
these human vultures. these blackmailers
should cease their efforts to extOrt money from
their trembling victims. money which never
gets further toward the Legislators than the
pockets Of the blackmailers.
The president OF one company testified that
he sat trembling when the legislature convened,
and never got through trembling until IT ad-
tourned. AS an antidote to this disease. he
bought medicine and comfort from the senior
Senator from New-York. This medicine con-
sisted IN assurances that because Of the pur-
chase price campaign contributions, he would
have the support OF all the members Of the
party"
After defining lobbying and lobbyists, as al
ready told Senator Marks went on to include
as lobbyists "a recently developed class OF leg1s-
lation infiueucers, as represented by the senior
Senator from New-YOrk, who. II his views are
correct-and I say without fear OF contradic-
ton that his views not shared by any mem
her Of this body-wOuld have the public believe
that he not only controlled few votes but the
entire representation Of the Republican party
in the legislature.
He would have the public believe that every
Republican Senator violated his oath and was
bound in advance to support the interests OF
corporations because they contributed 70 the
Republican campaign fund. Was he one Of the
Secret Service men employed by the insurance
companies or by Andy Hamilton? If the money
was given for the purpose for which the senior
Senator says IT was. then 1t was indirectly for
promoting or opposing legislation. and my Re-
nubIIcan colleagues should be only too ready TO
proclaim the falsity of his statement.
First the senior Senator stated that the
money was received because advantage to the
cornpantes would come through his connection
with the state committee.
Then we have another recently developed
class or lobbyists. OF a nameless amphibious |
species. which dwells somewhere on the river. |
7 refer to the cantankerous or the rautankerous |
friend up the river who comes out yearly and /
hangs around for his honorarium.
Then. lastly. there is another class OF lobby |
lists men through whom lobbying can be made /
honorable and egitimate-reputable attorneys /
and agents who are not afraid 10 influence /
proper legislation openly and oppose corrupt /
practices in the same way Their standing I'm /
the profession and their respectabnity secure
them the confidence OF legislators. Men Of
known regulations or those skilled I'm legislative
work can throw much light upon proposed leg
islation which we cannot obtain otherwise j
Whoever enlightens US and assists us In urging
good and necessary bills and I'm killing bad
bills is entitled 20 be paid, and no one need be
ashamed OF accepting money for that purpose
or having IL known what he receives.
Il do not think the distinguished Senator from
the 2Sth is and when he Is IN a position 70 en-
gage In legislative work other than as an elected
representative Of the people. do not think he
would refuse a retainer TO appear before any
committee OF this House because the amount ne
received would have 20 be published. His we'll
earned reputation and recognized ability as a
Continued eighth DASS