The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1907-02-21
BILL TO PROHIBIT LOBBYING AT
NATIONAL CAPITAL.
WHAT CONSTITUTES LOBBYIST
Wherever an Effort Is Made to Induce
a Member Of Congress TO Vote or
Ask for His Influence for or
Against Any Bill.
Ar,lmoroite Special.


tive Lamar of Florida has introduced
a bill which has not been considered
this session, but which has many
commendable features. II is entitled,
40 prohibit lobbying at the national
capital" II provides that when per-
son Is employed for a pecunlary con
sideration to act as legislative coun-
sci or agent In relation to any mat
ter pending or sought TO be brought
before congress he shall register his
name with the secretary of the senate
and the clerk of the house OF repre-
sentatives, stating in writing what
measures he is interested in, and
these officials are required to notify
the chairman OF the committee to
which such measures have been re-
ferrcd. of the registration, together
with the written statement of employ
ment. The secretary and clerk of
the house and senate are each to keep
n book of such statements, to be
kept In the office of the secretary OF
state after the adjournment of con
gross. While this provision Is crude
ly drawn there is no doubt that some
such measure should be enacted.
There is no reason why any lobby
ist" should not be required TO state
openly and frankly the measures in
which he Is interested Attempting TO
influence legislation by honorable
means is not open to objection. Men
should be permitted to practice before
congress as attorneys do before the
courts. except that broader discretion
should be exercised in the matter of
lobbying Technically speaking, any
member of congress who suggests TO
another member that he would like
to have his vote for any measure. Is
n lobbyist" This Is done constant
ly and openly. Again, technically
speaking, any one who asks another
TO either write or speak to a member
of congress for or against any bill is
a lobbyist" II makes no difference
whether such effort Is made in behalf
of temperance reform, an appropria-
tion for the army or navy. for a har.
Dor or river improvement, or for an
increase in salary OF government
omploye. The railroad rate agitation
would never have been successful had
It not been for an organized lobby
which flooded tho country with liter.
ature and aroused public sentiment.
The same Is true of the denaturod al.
cohol bill, the Cuban reciprocity bill,
and other measures. II the right TO
appeal to public opinion, and to direct
the force of public opinion upon con
grcss were either denied or abridged
the country would be supine in the
hands of its Legislators. Such move.
monts could not possibly be conducted
without subscription li(ts, without
funds to employ clerks, etc, and with
out the retaining of counsel. At the
same time there Is no reason why
persons engaged in such matters
should not do il openly ana frank
ly and above all, honestly, and they
should not object to stating their en-
ployment and being enrolled as sug-
gested in Mr.. Lamar's bill The sec.
ond section of his bill, however is
entirely too sweeping, for it makes
It unlawful for any person who is a
paid agent or counsel, to attempt
personally and directly TO influence
any congressman to vote for or
against any measure affecting the
interests represented by such person
otherwise than by appearing before
the regular committees, or by public
addresses or by written or printed
statements to be delivered TO each
member OF congress This clause
would prohibit an attorney or leGisla
tive agent from even discussing with
congressman the hlllS IN which ms
clients are interested, AS an exam
pie of the injustice this would work
there are scarcely ever more thar
one half the membership of eithe
house in attendance on the session.
Of that house all the time. The sam,
is true of the committees. and Otter
the only way to get the merits or de
merits of measure before con
gresham Is 10 meet him personally
and explain the case from the stand
point of the agent or counsel, Under
Mr.. Lamar's bill an employe Of a per
son or corporation interested in legia