The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-09-14
O'BRIEN OPPOSES
 SPE5IAL CHARTER
Continued from First Page.)

(Continued from First Page.) islature the business of the people could be attended to in very short time. It is the special legislation that takes up the time of the legislature and it is special legislation that em- ploys "the lobby" None of the gentle men who are prominent in "the lobby" would spend their time at Hartford while the legislature was in session if they were not employed
 They are there to earn fees of the men seeking special charters and priv ileges from the general assembly. If a constitutional amendment should be adopted by the people prohibiting the legislature from granting any special charters of any kind the sessions of the legislature would be greatly short- ened and "the lobby" would disap- pear Some states have such . pro- vision in their constitutions and the legislatures are absolutely prohibited from granting any special charters. If AOslllCGllGuI 5tlQAlA AO llll1 etll NOl PJ1 ations would be obliged to incorporate under the general law. A general law for each class of corporations would have to be passed and after that spe- clal privileges would be thing of the past Each set of incorporators would be treated the same as all other sets of the same class and could not use the professional lobbyist" who uses his political influence to gain fla vors for those who retain him. There would be no work for such men at the capitol If the legislature was confined Ito enaetlng general laws and prohibit ed from granting special charters and privileges for the asking if the incor- porators employ the right men. "The lobby might try to influence the gen. eral incorporation laws, but since all must be treated alike under them there would be no inducement for any set Of men to pay for promoting a law that after it's passage would give oth-. CTS the same rights that they would possess.
 The prohibition of granting special charters would leave the legislature free to enact those general laws that the people require and there would not be any opportunity for graft ex- cept in the matter of excise legisla- tion. The liquor lobby would still be undisturbed, but all other Hobbies" would disappear.
 The only way that "the lobby" could be completely wiped out would be con- stitutional prohibition. While the 1i- cense system lasts the brewers and liquor dealers will maintain a Hobby" and the temperance people will be force to have men in "the lobby" to protect the interests of the general public The 'liquor lobby" works for selfish inter- ests while the temperance forces are working only for the betterment of the state, but unless prohibition pre- vails there will be fights each session on excise laws and the men engaged 1T the liquor business will continue tc raise corruption funds to defeat legis. lation that curtails their power, but with the other interests out of tho
 way the sessions would be greatly shortened and most of 'the lobby would seek employment outside tht capitol
 With the growing sentiment agains
 the saloon domination of politics ant
 legislation men who would accept em ployment as the paid agents of the
 liquor interests could not long holc
 positions of power in any party
 Known lobbyist" for the liquor inter
 est could not continue 10 be politica
 leaders. The people would not tolerat
 1t and 1t is doubtful if the very bold
 est of the men who are willing to cor Irupt legislation in the interest of pub
 He service corporations would be will Ing to accept employment from tn
 liquor interests and have 1t heraldet from one end of the state to the other It is in the power of the people c tue state to adopt a constitutions amendment prohibiting special legis , lation and if they exercise that powe . we will have shorter sessions and les , scandals in our state government NERi GSDlildllNES anu oGlIdlOtS IO LII ] next general assembly should be elect , ed on their pledges to vote for the suh , mission to the people of a constitution al amendment prohibiting the grant
 ing of special charters irrespective C
 the party that nominates them. Part
 affiliations should be cast aside whe
 the welfare of the state demands i , and the only way that I know of {
 correct the abuses complained of b
 everyone who wants deeeney is ? prohibit the granting of special priv : ileges by the general assembly by
 constitutional amendment. No hone!
 man can raise any objection to sue , an amendment, and I am satisfied 1t is submitted to the people they wi r adopt it.
 As all the members of the gener; : assembly are nominated and electe e in small districts of the state it is a : easy matter for each elector to kno . how his representatives and senator = stand on this question, and to forc Q them to declare their position on : If they refuse to favor it they can ! . elected to remain at home.
 If my views meet with your appro'
 al your valued paper can do much tt
 wards creating a sentiment in fave
 of this proposed constitutional amend - ment and do a service to the state.
 Thanking you for the opportunit
 given to express my views, l remain
 poeraatfi,lIv Vo11rS