The morning journal-courier., 1908-03-14
THE LILLEY CHARGES.

The correspondent of the Spring field Republican writes to his news paper to this suggestive effect: Con gressman Lilley has not shown the best judgment at all times during the agitation of his charges in regard to the submarine boat charges, but he has given plenty of evidence of be- ing a good fighter. Neither the hos tility of the house committee nor of the majority of the house has shaken his nerve.' This is indeed of more than passing significance. He has not been driven from the field. but he has stuck to his post in a manner to compel the admiration of those who like a steady fighter, who feels him. self and his cause aggrieved.
 Even if the investigation of the charges brought by the Connecticut congressman stops just where 1t Is to- day Mir. Lilley has made clear several things and they are worth remember ing. If there is anybody now who doubts the existence at Washington of aggressive lobby workers, In behalf of public undertakings which involve the expenditure of money In the form of appropriations, he should be ex- amined by an alienist; he certainly should not be allowed to roam at will abroad. Mir. Lilley tells how he him self has been approached in man ner to make him naturally take mo- tice. It does not follow that a single one of the men who undertook to persuade him to certain definite course with regard to submarine boat legislation looked upon him as sus- ,ceptible to improper advances. It --daes not follow that single one of them would undertake to resort to H. legitimate methods to swing his vote. It does follow from the testimony all ready given by MT. Lilley and Captain Hobson, that the representatives of this boat building concern have learn ed to rely upon outside interests and influences to strengthen their case be- fore the naval committee of congress. It is improbable. if not inconceivable, that these boatbulders should origin ally conceive of a lobby as sure method of influencing the halls of leg islation. It is conclusion that can not be escaped, or hidden, that these gentlemen adopted the tactics of a third house of legislation because they have seen 1t effective when in play, in connection with other mat ters of like importance. The men tion of Speaker Cannon's name need not point the finger of suspicion al him. That mention could have beer made, as it doubtless was, without hi, knowledge, but that judgment does not conceal the fact that lobby ha' been at work and is still at work 1T behalf of the New Jersey boat build CTS.
 To understand the situation more clearly a resident of the state of Con necticut has but to recall what has bi ennially occurred on Capitol Hill a Hartford. The same sort of thinI has been going on there fo years. The methods have beei the same and the purpos the same. Last winter it tool a particularly offensive form, the rep resentatives of the third house no hesitating to run the senate at time from an adjoining room. Depart ments of state were used for purpos es of consultation and public official were known to be active fin the ad yancement of certain interests. Ther have been plenty of rumors as to tn character of the campaign whic these men conducted, but they hay never been confirmed All that definitely known is that the genera public has been excluded from tn conferences which have been held fo the discussion of things which con cern the public first of all. The nor sober minded men of the state hay never been deluded by the idea tha lobbying could be eliminated who'll! though they have believed and sti believe that the prohibition of specis legislation would automatically talk away the principal business of th lobby and make it unprofitable. The have furthermore insisted that reg istration act would be beneficial, a act which should require each wi
 ness, or counsel, or agent who al peared before a committee, to stat the nature of his errand and whetht the errand was a personal one or or which he was retained to undertak
 The answer to this attitude has bee a challenge to prove that any evil ht
 been done in any particular casei u