New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-23
THROW OUT THE LOBBY.
PLEA TO LEGISLATURE.
Names and Pay of Legislature
AGENTS Should Be Reported.'

The committee not only calls for the enact
ment of a law which shall make the insurance
companies file with the superintendent Oh IN
surance the names and pay of all their leg1s-
lative agents and the character OF their ser
vices. but pleads with the legislature to purge
itself and free itself from the suspicion nrousn'
on IL by the activities OF lobbyists In propos-
ing legislation which shall do away WIN
Judge" Hamilton and Andy Fields, the re-
port says:
Nothing disclosed by the investigation deserves
OF the large insurance companies control large
part OF the legislation q the State Iney ha I
70 procure or to prevent the passags Of
not eRs to- wh put rus subsidiary
companies through the connections OF their ION, 1
have extended beyond the state and the country nI
bias been divided into dlstress SO sbeS Of the
R Roak. might perform ''"'sH''+A' - '
Enormous sums have been expended In sur
reptitious manner. Irregular accounts nave peer
kept to conceal the payments for when proper
vouchers have not been required. THIS course
of conduct has created widespread eonvetloh
that large portions Of this money have been ois'
honestly used.
Mutual and the Equitable in legislative matters
and was in control OF The SUPPLY ar ~
during the sessions of the committee. The gen
a sostT IF , On Ta9
sums. died Just before the beginning of the IN
how the money had been spent
ceTed Edward Of scoS from the SewYork Lie
on the warrant OF its president in connection with
s of sa has sdq to Hfs
account showing the disposition Of the money: The
ino@ledgs q the uses 70 which i was p put The
have been expected on the disbursements of their
company, either have remained out of the 1uFiSaic-
ton or have been disabled by illness.
Al
witnesses and the lack of. proper vouchers, the
committee has been unable TO trace the moneys
said to have been disbursed In connection with
that large sums have been discussed for inn
proper purposes, 1t is also clear that payments
for confidential OUTLAWS exempt from AUDIT have
furnished abundant opportunities for mlsappro-
priatons.
They suggest the necessity OF requiring 3 strict
accounting from those who are responsible for the
payments well from the agents who have re-
ceived the moneys.
very large proportion OF the voters Of the State ate
company 10 apprise them OF hostile legislative
ana N aea fo whose
have rarely failed 10 TeeeiVe PROP
ment Of agents to disburse large sums. and Of
elandestine methods to defeat legislation is wholly
tnexcusable.
The pernicious activities of corporate agents
in matters of legislation demand that the present
freedom of lobbying should be restricted. They
have brought suspicion upon Important pro,
seedlings, of the legislature, and have exposed
Its members TO consequent assault.
The legislature owes il to itself. so far as
possible, 10 stop the practice of tho avi sh OK
penditure of moneys ostensby for services in
connection with the support of or opposition to
bills, and generally believed to be used for cor
rupt purposes. The legislature should free Itself
progress of measures affecting important in
terests.
The laws against bribery and corruption, offences
which difficult or proof, sufficiently strln-
hllr effort should be made strike at the
root Of the evil by requiring; under proper penal
in connection with matters before the legislature.
Corporations should be required to keep accounts
be fully detailed and receipted for and an adequate
statement regarding them should form a part of
such reports may be required.
~, In the case Of INSURANCE eorpGraons the remedy
es nTs generay IN tne d or proper
stating in detail the purposes for which moneys
iative matters have been expended. And. further.
the company should be compelled to set forth in
surance aIl sums SO disbursed, giving the names Of
the payees. the amounts paid and the specific pur-
The committee recommends that the legislative
os 20 f 1'eS 6 sgst 10
promote oppose the passage OF bills resolutions
Measures shall before entering UPON the service,
file in the office of the Secretary Of State writing
saas WITH hi 6f deso4pSh Of ha PessatSo
rendered.
The Secretary Of State should be required TO
PROVIDE g COcket, 10 De Known as the OOckeL OF
legislative Appearances with appropriate planks
and indices in which the names of counsel and
agent may be properly entered. Fees contingent
upon legislative action should be prohibited. II
should also be made the duty Of every corporation
end association doing business in the State within
two months after the adjournment of the legiS-
lature he with the Secretary OF State an itenzed
statement duly verified showing in detail all ex-
renses paid or incurred in connection with legisla-
ton pending at session. including all dis
bursements or compensation paid or payable TO
counsel agents.
Violation Of the law should be made misde-
uleauor and the failure to file the statements re-
ouired should subject the offender 70 appropriate
penalties.