The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-02-08
T|-LOBBY|NG
BILL IS OFFERED.
---- ------- ~
Makes It Unlawful for Anyone
to Engage in Business Of
Lobbying.
s5oo;FINE AM IMPRISONMENT
$50 FINE AND IMPRISONMENT
If the BillHad Existcdin the Past
Numerous Menbe rspf5 Congress
Would Have Escaped Disgrace.

.eY WALTER EDWARD HARRIS.


WASHINGTON, D. c., February o.
Tho long expected has come. and now
at least some Of the members of Con-
grcss are wondering that It had not
como sooner. An nntirlobbylst bill has
been introduced In the House by Rep
rescntativoM Tyndall, of Missouri. and
referred to the Committed on Judiciary.
Tho bill Is entitled "a bill to pro-
vent the unlawful employment OF Sena-
tors and Representatives as attorneys
and to- suppress lobbying in the Ma
tional Congress" The first paragraph
makes 1t unlawful FOR any person
to engage in the profession or ocon-
patton Of lobbying tho general obs
ject and nature of which Is to promote
or suppress legislation to the personal.
and financial gain of individuals, COM
pnn!es, or corporations"
Further along the bill provides that
i. "shall be unlawful for any COM
pnny, corporation or person to give
OF offer to give any money or other;
valuable thing, directly or Indirectly,
to any United States Senator. or to
any member of the House OF Itepresen-
tatives Of the United States In securing;
their (sic) aid or influence as attor-'
ney or otherwise, to be used on be-
half Of the defense Of any suit or
cause pending or about to be instituted
IL any United States court or any de-
partment Of tho United States Govern
trent. wherein the United States Gov
ernment is plaintiff or directly con-
cerned in the prosecution OF such suit
or other matter"
Right of Petition.
But there Is q provision in tho bill
which guarantees the right OF petition,
granted by the Constitution and Bill
of Rights, but this Is prohibited to "tna
proper and lawful subject of public
utility and necessity, and not for tho
direct financial gam of any individual,
company or corporation.
A second provision allows citizens
to appear before a committee of Con-
gress and give testimony concerning
pending. bill, Notwithstanding their
personal interest in the proposed legis-
lation.
Violation of any of the provisions
of the act Is made punishable by a
fine of not less than $500, or imprison-
ment of not less than six months or
BOTH in the discretion Of the court
1t is impossible to estimate the
chances of the passage of such law
as the one proposed. Had 1t been in
existence and been regarded, Senator
Burton would not now be doing time"
Senator Mitchell would not be sleeping
in dishonorable@Sg grave, and, several
Senators and members of Congress
would not be universally looked upon
as representing certain especial in
terests."
But the enactment and enforcement
OF such a law would greatly deple te
the population of Washington. Lob
tyists OF one class and another form a
great portion of the transient popu-
lation of the National Capital during
a session of Congress. Capitol corri-
doris during the hours Congress is in
session are thronged with people. 1t
might be an exaggeration to say one
half the people composing the crowds
are personally interested in pending
Legislation, but hardly.
There is no great likelihood OF the
passage Of such a bill at the present
session, but II. Is more than probable
that such bill VIII be enacted into
| law at an early session OF Congress
unless public sentiment should suffer
| a revulsion and public conscience
| should 90 to sleep again.