The San Francisco call., 1907-01-29
BILL To RESTRICT
THE LOBBYISTS
Sanford Introduces Meas
ure Under Which They
VIII Be Held to Account
REGISTER DEMANDED
CALL HEADQUARTERS.
1907 EIGHTH STREET.

SACRAMENTO. Jan. Ex-senator j.
b. Sanford Of Ukiah, who thinks he
catches, as does the rest of the Demo-
cratic minority, whispers of a sack and
other deleterious influences confront
ing proposed legislation affecting in
surance and other corporate interests,
sprang into the lists today with a bill
regulating and restricting the work Of
professional lobbyists
Sanford announced that the Demo-
Gratis intended 10 use every legitimate
device at their command 10 get this
bill ready for early consideration by
Governor Gillett and make its pro-
visions applicable at the present ses-
sion.
Legislation on insurance is now one
OF the paramount questions confronting
California" he said, and any measure
which seeks to combat influences mimi
cal TO popular interests should have the
support Of Senators and Assemblymen
Independently OF politics.
Lobbyists for the insurance com
panies continue to worm into the capl-
tOl daily, and there are already well
defined reports that more than one
cOmmendable measure restricting un-
derwriters and safeguarding the in
terests OF policy holders is doomed to
defeat. ] don't wish TO place too much
reliance on these reports, but ] do
think that the opera uOns of profess
siOnsl lobbyists should be confined and
regulated. The Democratic members of
the Senate viii urge immediate con-
sideration of this measure"
LOBBYISTS SHALL REGISTER
Sanford's bill provides that all lobby
lists who seek TO address committees
Of the Legislature shall register in a
docket kept for the purpose. No lob
byist can appear before a committee
unless he is so registered. The Gov
ernOr is empowered by the bill TO
summon lobbyist before him at any
time during the session and ask ones
uons concerning any measure he may
be opposed 10 or promoting. After
the session lobbyists are required to
file statements Of the expenses they
incurred in their legislative work.
Should lobbyist fail 10 file this state
ment' the bill provides that he shall
be restricted from exercising his call
Ing at the capital for three years.
Eight new sections for the Political
Code constitute the provisions Of the
bul which is an adaptation of the
Folk law" in force in Missouri. Wis
consin and Massachusetts.
Excerpts from the text Of the bill
illustrate the strict nature of the con-
troll that is sought over lobbyists.
Section 3Ss. Every person OF corporation who
employs or agrees 10 employ any person TO act
es counsel or agent TO promote or oppose in any
manner, directly OF indirectly. the passage BY
the Legislature Of this State Of any legislation,
or % act in any manner as legislative coun-
SCI 10 connection with any legislation, shall
within one week Of the date Of such employment
or agreement therefor cause the name OF the
person so employed or agreed to be employed to
be entered upon legislative docket As herein
prov and II she'll also be the duty OF the
person employed aereed to be employed 10
cause hts OF her name TO be so entered or see
that the same has been so entered upon such
docket Upon the termination Of such employ
ment such fact may be entered opposite the
name OF any person 50 employed. either By the
employer or the person so employed The Sec
retary OF State shall prepare and keep two
legislative oockets as herein required. One Of
such dockets shall be known that OF ''legis-
tive asents In fhst of IessIstive ca5,5ssI
shall be entered the names Of counsel employed
10 appear AZ any hearing before the Legislature
OF ellIer Drancn thereot' or before joint
committee thereof. for the purpose Of making
an argument or examining witnesses and also
the names OF any regular counsel Of corpora
tons or association who act or advise ii re-
lation TO legislation and in the docket Of legis-
latFe agents shall be entered the names OF al
agents employed IN connection with any legis-
latOn- ana Of al persons employed for other
purposes who render any service as such agents
In such dockets there shall be entered the name
and business address Of the employer. the name
residence and occupation of the person en-,
pioyeS ana date of the empIoTmeut or sgrsa-
ment therefor the length of time that the en-
ployment is 70 continue. II such time be de-
Of legislation 20 which the employment relates.
ENTRIES IN DOCKET
Section 1884 Any person, corporation OF as
sociatton employing any legislative counsel or
agents shall from time 10 time. as fast as sub
3ects OF Legislation are introduced or arise which
such counsel is 70 promote oppose. make or
cause 10 be made additional entries under his
or iE name In the appropriate docket afore-
said, stating such special employment and spe-
cihcally referring 20 the petitions, orders bills
other subjects or legislation 10 which the
same relates. No person corporation or assOcis-
ton shall, directly or Indirectly, employ suv
person legislative agent or counsel in respect
TO legislation unless the name Of the person so
employed is duly entered upon the proper legis-
latiTe docket. No person shall be employed az
a legislative counsel or agent for a compensation
dependent IN any manner upon the passage or
defeat Of any proposed legislation or upon any
contingent connected with the action Of the
Legislature.
Section 85gB. The Governor whenever auv
bfl is presented for bis approval. and has rea-
sons 10 believe that improper expenses have
been paid or incurred IN connection with the
passage thereof, may require any or ali legis-
lsuve counsel or legislative agents and their en-
plOyers n render him forthwith n full complete
and detailed statement, duly sworn, OF ali ex-
penses paid or incurred By them or either OF
uFn~